A nurse is completing a symptom analysis with a patient complaining of chest pain. When asked what makes the chest pain worse, the patient reports that coughing and sneezing increase the chest pain. Based on these data, what does the nurse suspect as the cause of this patient's chest pain?
A) Stable angina
B) Esophageal reflux disease
C) Mitral valve prolapse
D) Costochondritis

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Coughing, deep breathing, laughing, and sneezing worsen the chest pain associated with costochondritis. Physical exertion, emotional stress, and cold worsen the chest pain associated with stable angina. A spicy or acidic meal, alcohol, or lying supine may worsen the chest pain associated with esophageal reflux. Only occasional position changes worsen the chest pain associated with mitral valve prolapse.

A Nurse Is Completing a Symptom Analysis with a Patient