The nurse begins the assessment of a client that has come to the emerg

The nurse begins the assessment of a client that has come to the emergency department experi-encing chest pain by asking the client about:

1. A family history of heart problems
2. Medications currently being taken at home
3. Questions or concerns about hospitalization
4. The onset, severity, and duration of the chest pain

ANSWER

ANS: 4
If a client comes to the emergency department with chest pain, the nurse should first ask the cli-ent about the onset, severity, and duration of the chest pain. In an emergency situation, the cli-ent’s current health problem becomes the priority assessment. Initially, the nurse should not ask questions regarding family history. Gathering data about the problem currently affecting the cli-ent has greater priority. Asking the client about medications taken at home is appropriate, but not at this time. The priority is to assess the symptoms the client is experiencing. Asking the client about concerns regarding hospitalization is not the priority.