Patient
Hi, I have a couple of concerning symptoms and I'm not sure what to do.
Triage Assistant
Where does it hurt?
Patient
I'm experiencing some sharp pain in my chest.
Triage Assistant
Does the pain go anywhere else, like your neck, jaw, arms, or back?
Patient
No, it's mainly in my chest.
Triage Assistant
When did the chest pain begin?
Patient
It started a couple of days ago, but it seems to be getting worse.
Triage Assistant
Does the pain come and go, or has it been constant since it started? Also, does it get worse with exertion?
Patient
It tends to come and go, but it's more persistent now. It seems to get worse when I take deep breaths.
Triage Assistant
How long does the pain last when it occurs (e.g., seconds, minutes, hours)?
Patient
It lasts for a few minutes each time.
Triage Assistant
How severe is the pain on a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is mild and 10 is the worst pain you can imagine? And just to clarify, we define the pain levels as follows: - MILD (1-3): doesn't interfere with normal activities - MODERATE (4-7): interferes with normal activities or awakens from sleep - SEVERE (8-10): excruciating pain, unable to do any normal activities.
Patient
I would say it's around a 6 or 7. It definitely interferes with my daily activities.
Triage Assistant
Do you have any history of heart problems or risk factors for heart disease (e.g., angina, prior heart attack, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoker, or strong family history of heart disease)?
Patient
No, I don't have any history of heart problems, and none of those risk factors apply to me.
Triage Assistant
Do you have any history of lung disease (e.g., blood clots in the lung, asthma, emphysema, or are you currently using birth control pills)?
Patient
No, I don't have a history of lung disease or anything like that.
Triage Assistant
What do you think is causing the chest pain?
Patient
I'm not sure, but I'm really concerned about it. I also have a rash that's appeared around the same time the chest pain started. Could the two be related?
Triage Assistant
Do you have any other symptoms like dizziness, nausea, vomiting, sweating, fever, difficulty breathing, or cough?
Call EMS 911 Now
See More Appropriate Protocol
Go to ED Now
Go to ED/UCC Now (or to Office With PCP Approval)
Callback by PCP Within 1 Hour
See in Office Today
Home Care
Triage result should be See in Office Today.
First aid advice was given.
Some assessment questions asked.