Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS) Practice Exam

What patient symptom is important in the assessment of potential myocardial infarction?

1. Dizziness

2. Chest pain radiating to the left arm

3. Nausea

4. Abdominal pain

The correct answer is: Chest pain radiating to the left arm

In the assessment of potential myocardial infarction, the presence of chest pain that radiates to the left arm is particularly significant. This symptom is commonly associated with coronary artery disease and heart attacks, as it reflects the nature of the pain that can occur when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen due to blockage of coronary arteries. The pain of a myocardial infarction often has a distinct character, typically described as a squeezing, pressure, or tightness in the chest, and it may indeed radiate to other areas, such as the left arm, neck, jaw, or back. This radiating pain is due to the way pain signals are processed by the nervous system, where discomfort originating from the heart can be perceived in areas supplied by the same nerve roots. Understanding this symptom is essential for early recognition and prompt treatment of myocardial infarction. Accurate detection of this symptom can lead to quicker interventions, potentially saving the patient's life and reducing the extent of heart damage. Other symptoms like dizziness, nausea, and abdominal pain may occur in association with Myocardial infarction, but they are less specific compared to chest pain with radiating characteristics, making them less reliable on their own for diagnosing this serious condition.