Question

Joe is a 68 year old patient that presented with chest pain and shortness of breath that began while carrying pipes on a construction site. Patient feels like he is suffocating and describes chest pain as a dull pressure that has never been experienced before. Patient reports that many years ago, a primary care physician said he may need some “work” on his heart but patient “doesn’t know what that means.” Patient no longer sees the doctor. The patient has a history of hypertension, rheumatic fever as a child, and while in the Navy was exposed to asbestos in the shipyard. He is married with two children and currently works as a plumber. He denies tobacco and illicit drug use and states he only drinks beer occasionally. The only medications the patient takes is atenolol and aspirin.

What focused assessments will you perform (be specific) and why?

Answer 1

• First assess the general condition of Joe and he is having chest pain and breathlessness for that he is using medication like atenolol and aspirin.
• We also focus the Joe having the history of hypertension and rheumatic fever.
• So we have to first focus specifically in the medical history of the Joe because of hypertension and rheumatic fever may chance to get chest pain and breathing problem.
• So that the patient is using drugs like aspirin for chest pain and atenolol for hypertension.