Question

Ms. Jones tells the nurse she has a severe pain under her right breast and asks, 'Do you think I am having a heart attack?' What is the nurse's best response?

1) Yes, it is possible that you are having a heart attack. I will call the doctor immediately.
2) No, it is unlikely that you are having a heart attack. However, I will still have the doctor check you to be sure.
3) I'm not sure if it's a heart attack, but I will have the doctor examine you to determine the cause of your pain.
4) Heart attack symptoms usually include chest pain that radiates to the left arm or jaw. Your pain is under the right breast, so it is unlikely to be a heart attack.

Answer 1

The nurse should inform Ms. Jones that a thorough evaluation by a doctor is required to determine the cause of her chest pain and to ensure it is not related to a heart attack or another serious condition, without causing undue alarm.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's best response to Ms. Jones, who reports severe pain under her right breast and is concerned about a heart attack, is to neither confirm nor dismiss her concerns without proper assessment. While chest pain is a common symptom of a myocardial infarction (MI), also known as a heart attack, it is important to recognize that heart attack symptoms in females may not follow the classic presentation of left-sided chest pain. Therefore, a prompt and thorough evaluation by a physician is essential to determine the cause of the pain and to rule out a heart attack or other serious conditions. A nurse should convey this urgency without causing unnecessary alarm and ensure that Ms. Jones receives the appropriate medical attention.