Patient
Hi, I’m not feeling well and could use some advice.
Triage Assistant
Where does it hurt?
Patient
It's mainly in my chest.
Triage Assistant
Does the pain go anywhere else, like into your neck, jaw, arms, or back?
Patient
No, the pain seems to stay in my chest area.
Triage Assistant
When did the chest pain begin?
Patient
The chest pain started a couple of days ago.
Triage Assistant
Is the pain constant since it started, or does it come and go? Does it get worse with exertion?
Patient
The pain isn't constant; it comes and goes. It does get a bit worse when I exert myself.
Triage Assistant
How long does the pain usually last when it occurs (e.g., seconds, minutes, hours)?
Patient
The pain usually lasts for a few minutes when it happens.
Triage Assistant
On a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is mild pain that doesn’t interfere with normal activities and 10 is severe pain that prevents you from doing anything, how would you rate the pain?
Patient
I'd rate the pain around a 6. It's uncomfortable and does interfere with my activities, but I can still manage to get by.
Triage Assistant
Do you have any history of heart problems or risk factors for heart disease, like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, or a strong family history of heart disease?
Patient
I don't have any known history of heart problems or any of those risk factors.
Triage Assistant
Do you have any history of lung disease, such as asthma, emphysema, or blood clots in the lung? Are you currently using birth control pills?
Patient
No history of lung disease and I'm not on birth control pills.
Triage Assistant
What do you think might be causing the chest pain?
Patient
I'm not exactly sure, but I suspect it might be something related to my breathing. I've been wheezing a lot and have a bad cough.
Triage Assistant
Do you have any other symptoms like dizziness, nausea, vomiting, sweating, fever, or difficulty breathing?
Call EMS 911 Now
See More Appropriate Protocol
Go to ED Now
Go to ED/UCC Now (or to Office With PCP Approval)
Go to Office Now
See in Office Today
See in Office Today or Tomorrow
See in Office Within 3 Days
Home Care
Triage result should be Go to Office Now.
Incomplete first aid advice given.
Some assessment questions asked.