A client admitted with chest pain is being evaluated for a myocardial infarction (MI). Which of the following comments made by the client would best indicate the pain is angina rather than an MI?

Question

A)

"The pain went away when I took a nap."
B)

"I took nitroglycerin but the pain was not relieved."
C)

"I was very short of breath and sweating with the pain."
D)

"The pain started when I was watching television."

Answer 1

A
Explanation:

A)

Anginal pain is usually relieved by rest and/or nitroglycerin. A MI is usually not relieved by nitroglycerin and often is accompanied by shortness of breath and diaphoresis. Unstable angina may occur at rest, but option A is the best indicator.
Analysis
Assessment
Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
B)

Anginal pain is usually relieved by rest and/or nitroglycerin. A MI is usually not relieved by nitroglycerin and often is accompanied by shortness of breath and diaphoresis. Unstable angina may occur at rest, but option A is the best indicator.
Analysis
Assessment
Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
C)

Anginal pain is usually relieved by rest and/or nitroglycerin. A MI is usually not relieved by nitroglycerin and often is accompanied by shortness of breath and diaphoresis. Unstable angina may occur at rest, but option A is the best indicator.
Analysis
Assessment
Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
D)

Anginal pain is usually relieved by rest and/or nitroglycerin. A MI is usually not relieved by nitroglycerin and often is accompanied by shortness of breath and diaphoresis. Unstable angina may occur at rest, but option A is the best indicator.
Analysis
Assessment
Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation