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Pages:
2 pages/β‰ˆ550 words
Sources:
3 Sources
Style:
APA
Subject:
Health, Medicine, Nursing
Type:
Coursework
Language:
English (U.S.)
Document:
MS Word
Date:
Total cost:
$ 10.37
Topic:

Possible Differentials for Patient Having Chest Discomfort

Coursework Instructions:

CHEST PAIN
You are seeing a 54 year-old woman. She has been having chest discomfort about twice a week for the last 2 weeks. It is sharp, associated with difficulty getting a deep breath. It seems to come on mostly at work or when she is driving. It lasts about a half-hour at a time. She’s tried Tylenol, Advil, drinking cold water, and antacids without much benefit. It doesn’t radiate. It is severe enough to interrupt her work but not excruciating. She hasn’t had any heartburn or stomach symptoms. She is concerned that it could be a heart problem. Social hx: smokes 15 cigarettes a day, “trying to quit”; had cut down from 1 pack/day to ½ pack but recently went back up to ¾ PPD, ‘probably from stress.’ No drug use. Recent separation from husband. She is a bank supervisor in a stressful position. She does not exercise. She has never had anything like this before, no chronic health conditions, no meds or allergies. She has not been to a doctor in 10 years.
Family hx: Father had a MI at age 64, Mother and Father have HTN
What are the possible differentials for this patient? List according to the body system involved.
What testing will you want to rule out your diagnosis? What guidelines did you use for this decision?
What are her risk factors that could point to a cardiac issue?
What vitals would you want on this patient?
What other ROS questions would you want to know?
What health promotion /maintenance needs does she have?
What test would you use to rule out a PE if she is allergic to IV dye? Is it a reliable test?

Coursework Sample Content Preview:

Chest Pains
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Chest Pains
The patient should go to the hospital and be evaluated by a professional to rule out cardiac issues. The test will include a physical examination, blood test, and electrocardiogram to ensure they are not experiencing heart attacks or other cardiac-related problems. Further, if the tests from the patient are inconclusive, RN and doctors may order more tests including cardiac catheterization, level of stress, or echocardiogram ( ECG).
Notably, to rule out cardiac arrest or heart attack, different differentials ought to be conducted. First, the Cardiovascular system: Angina, myocardial infarction (heart attack), pericarditis, aortic dissection, and pulmonary embolism. Secondly, the Respiratory system: Pneumonia, pleuritis, pneumothorax, bronchitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Thirdly, Gastrointestinal system: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, cholecystitis, pancreatitis. Fourthly, Musculoskeletal system: Costochondritis, rib fracture, muscle strain. Finally, Psychological factors such as Anxiety, and panic disorder.
Accordingly, the patient's risk factors, including their age, smoking history, and stressful occupation, it is crucial to consider the possibility of cardiac problems. Ideally, Chest discomfort or pain can be caused by a variety of factors such as angina, myocardial infarction (heart attack), pulmonary embolism, or aortic dissections. Additionally, I would advise the patient to seek immediate medical attention if their symptoms persist or if they experience any new symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting. Notably, I would encourage them to quit smoking and make lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly, managing stress, and eating a healthy diet to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.
Furthermore, the patient has not seen a doctor in 10 years. It is crucial to schedule a comprehensive medical evaluation to assess their overall health and identify any other potential health issues. Also, a professional may also recommend routine screenings...
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