A 92-year-old male states that he "passed out" and fell down. He regained consciousness a few moments later, but had shortness of breath and sharp chest pain. Which one of the following in the patient's history is of greatest concern?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The combination of passing out, chest pain, and shortness of breath could indicate a cardiac event such as a heart attack or pulmonary embolism. The tender and painful left calf may also indicate a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) which is a risk factor for a pulmonary embolism. Hip surgery two years ago and an injured wrist are not as immediately concerning, and the nitroglycerin-induced headache is a common side effect.

A 92-Year-Old Male States That He "Passed Out" and Fell