JBL EMT Practice Exam

A 49-year-old male presents with an acute onset of crushing chest pain and diaphoresis. You should:

1. administer up to 324 mg of baby aspirin

2. administer up to three doses of nitroglycerin

3. assess the adequacy of his respirations

4. obtain vital signs and a SAMPLE history

The correct answer is: administer up to 324 mg of baby aspirin

In this scenario, the patient's presentation of acute onset crushing chest pain and diaphoresis is highly indicative of a possible heart attack or myocardial infarction. Administering up to 324 mg of baby aspirin is the correct course of action in this situation. Aspirin helps inhibit platelet aggregation and can potentially limit the size of the clot causing the heart attack. It is a critical step in the early management of a suspected myocardial infarction. Assessing the adequacy of his respirations, obtaining vital signs and a SAMPLE history are essential aspects of patient assessment; however, in this particular case where the patient is exhibiting signs of a heart attack, administering aspirin promptly takes precedence over these actions. Nitroglycerin can be indicated for chest pain of cardiac origin, but the initial focus should be on administering aspirin.