Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) Myocardial Infarction (MI) Case Study

UNFOLDING Reasoning Case Study-STUDENT Acute Coronary Syndrome/Acute MI History of Present Problem: JoAnn Smith is a 68-year-old woman who presents to the emergency department (ED) after having three days of progressive weakness. She denies chest pain, but admits to shortness of breath (SOB) that increases with activity. She also has epigastric pain with nausea that has been intermittent for 20-30 minutes over the last three days. She reports that her epigastric pain has gotten worse and is now radiating into her neck. Her husband called 9-1-1 and she was transported to the hospital by emergency medical services (EMS). Personal/Social History: JoAnn is a recently retired math teacher who continues to substitute teach part-time. She is physically active and lives independently with her spouse in her own home. She has smoked 1 pack per day the past 40 years. JoAnn appears anxious and immediately asks repeatedly for her husband upon arrival. What data from the histories are RELEVANT and have clinical significance to the nurse? RELEVANT Data from Present Problem: Clinical Significance: d3 days of progressive weakness Denies chest pain, reports epigastric pain with nausea radiating to her neck and shortness of breath dWomen can present with alternative symptoms than men when experiencing a myocardial infarction so it is important to consider them in this context as opposed to ruling out MI since it is not the “typical” presentation