The nurse is assessing a patient who is complaining of chest pain, clutching his chest, and is short of breath. Which assessment question would be appropriate for the nurse to ask?
a. "Please describe your pain, its location, and what you've done to treat it."
b. "Does the pain radiate to your arm, jaw, or shoulder?"
c. "What are your current medications including supplements or vitamins?"
d. "What is your medical history beginning with most recent?"
B
In a situation in which breathing and/or circulation are inadequate, questions should be phrased to allow short (e.g., yes or no) answers that do not tax the patient's ability to breathe and talk. Asking the patient to describe the pain, location, and self-treatment would require an extended verbal response from a patient who is having trouble breathing. It would stress the patient to try to respond. Although a list of medications is important to determine, the patient with compromised breathing and circulation is unlikely to be able to provide this information. The patient who is having difficulty answering is unlikely to be able to supply information about past medical history, despite its importance. Asking a spouse or close relative is likely to yield a more complete reply.
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