This is what you find...
The patient is restless and uncomfortable and is gripping his chest.
You ask about the pain, and it seems worse on movement and on deep inspiration. There is no shortness of breath, and no nausea or sweating.
BP 140/85 in both arms, P 100, RR 20, SaO2 96% on room air
On examination, the JVP is not visible. There is some chest wall tenderness. The heart sounds are dual with no murmurs. The lungs are clear. The calves are soft and non-tender and there is no peripheral oedema.
On reviewing the notes you see that he has a history of mild hypertension but no other cardiac risk factors.
You decide to give the patient some GTN and morphine.
