Question

A patient is admitted to the unit with assessment findings that include substernal pain that radiates to the left shoulder. The pain is described by the patient as grating, and is worse with inspiration and coughing. What likely is the cause of this patient's symptoms?

a. Chronic constrictive pericarditis
b. Cardiac tamponade
c. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
d. Acute pericarditis

Answer 1

The likely cause of the patient's symptoms is acute pericarditis, marked by substernal chest pain that radiates to the left shoulder and is worsened by inspiration and coughing.

Step-by-step explanation:

The likely cause of the patient's symptoms is acute pericarditis. Acute pericarditis is marked by chest pain, difficulty breathing, and a dry cough. The pain is typically substernal and can radiate to the left shoulder. The fact that the pain is worsened by inspiration and coughing is also characteristic of acute pericarditis.