You have been called to an office building for a 47-year-old male complaining of chest pain. He is alert, oriented, and complaining of pain in his chest that came on suddenly about 15 minutes ago. His skin is diaphoretic and cool. Which one of the following should you do first?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Obtaining vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and SpO₂ reading) is the first step in assessing the patient's condition and determining the severity of the chest pain. This information will help determine the next steps in treatment. Applying oxygen, obtaining a family history of cardiac illness, and administering nitroglycerin may be important interventions, but they should be done after vital signs are obtained.

You Have Been Called to an Office Building for a 47-Year-Old