Question

A patient presents with active chest pain radiating to the right arm and shortness of breath. What is your course of action?

a) Administer pain relief and observe
b) Call emergency services and initiate cardiac care
c) Suggest rest and monitor symptoms
d) Ignore the symptoms and continue with routine care

Answer 1

The correct action when a patient presents with chest pain and shortness of breath is to call emergency services and initiate cardiac care, since these are potential signs of an acute myocardial infarction.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient presents with active chest pain radiating to the right arm and shortness of breath, the correct course of action is b) Call emergency services and initiate cardiac care. These symptoms could be indicative of an acute myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, and require immediate medical attention. While angina, the chest pain associated with heart problems, often radiates down the left arm, it is important to recognize that MI symptoms can vary greatly between individuals. Immediate initiation of cardiac care might include monitoring vital signs, administering oxygen, preparing for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if necessary, and providing reassurance to the patient while emergency services are en route.