The nurse is reviewing information received in report for a group of patients. Which patient should the nurse assess first?

Question

1. patient with occasional chest pain who has recently been diagnosed with gallbladder disease
2. older patient with heart failure who was admitted with increasing edema of the lower extremities
3. newly admitted patient complaining of substernal chest pain and whose father died recently from heart disease
4. patient complaining of chest pain and hyperventilating after a family member leaves the room following an argument

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 3
The nurse would want to assess the newly admitted patient with substernal chest pain and a family history of cardiac disease and initiate any interventions that are appropriate. This manifestation could indicate mitral valve prolapse. The patient who is hyperventilating could be having an anxiety attack but needs to be assessed as soon as possible. The patient with gallbladder disease may have chest pain that is not cardiac related. The older patient with increasing edema of the extremities would need evaluation, but after another patient in the group.