Question

Nurse assessing chest pain. Which questions reflect some of the 8 characteristics that should be asked?

1) Is the pain sharp or dull?
2) Does the pain radiate to other areas?
3) Is the pain constant or intermittent?
4)oes the pain worsen with movement?
5) Is there any associated shortness of breath?
6) Is there any nausea or vomiting?
7) Is there any sweating or clamminess?
8) Is there any history of heart disease?

Answer 1

The nurse's questions about chest pain characteristics help diagnose conditions like angina or an MI, with emphasis on pain quality, radiation, pattern, and associated symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse is assessing chest pain, it is crucial to determine specific characteristics of the pain as they can indicate different underlying conditions such as angina or an acute myocardial infarction (MI). The eight characteristics that should be asked about include the quality of the pain (sharp or dull), if the pain radiates to other areas, the pattern (constant or intermittent), exacerbation with movement, and any associated symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, sweating or clamminess, and a personal history of heart disease. These questions align with the symptoms of angina chest pain, which includes discomfort due to inadequate blood flow and lack of oxygen to heart muscle cells, potentially indicating the presence of stable or unstable angina, or an MI.

For example, stable angina is typically triggered by exertion and relieved by rest, while unstable angina occurs at rest and may signal an impending heart attack. Thereby, precise assessment and subsequent rapid management are critical for patients presenting with chest pain in a clinical setting.