Chapter 17-Signs and symptoms of AMI

Question 1

What are some signs and symptoms of a patient with AML?

Answer 1

• Sudden onset of weakness, nausea, and sweating without an obvious cause
• Chest pain, discomfort, or pressure that is often crushing or squeezing and that does not change with each breath
• Pain, discomfort, or pressure in the lower jaw, arms, back, abdomen, or neck
• Irregular heartbeat and syncope (fainting)
• Shortness of breath, or dyspnea
• Nausea/vomiting
• Pink, frothy sputum (indicating possible pulmonary edema)
• Sudden death

Signs and symptoms may vary among patients but typically include a combination of these indicators.

Question 2

True or False: Irregular heartbeat and syncope are common symptoms of AML.

Answer 2

True

Syncope refers to fainting, which can occur due to irregular heartbeats.

Question 3

Fill in the blank: A patient with AML may experience _______ that is often crushing or squeezing.

Answer 3

chest pain

This type of chest pain does not change with each breath.

Question 4

What symptom indicates possible pulmonary edema in a patient with AML?

Answer 4

Pink, frothy sputum

This symptom suggests fluid accumulation in the lungs.

Question 5

List three signs of sudden onset that may indicate AML.

Answer 5

• Weakness
• Nausea
• Sweating

These symptoms can occur without an obvious cause.

Question 6

What is dyspnea?

Answer 6

Shortness of breath

Dyspnea is a common symptom in various medical conditions including AML.

Question 7

What type of discomfort may be felt in the lower jaw, arms, back, abdomen, or neck in a patient with AML?

Answer 7

Pain, discomfort, or pressure

This discomfort can often be associated with heart-related issues.

Question 8

True or False: Sudden death can be a sign of AML.

Answer 8

True

Sudden death is a critical and acute outcome that can occur in severe cases.

Question 11

How does the pain of an AMI differ from the pain of angina?

Answer 11

It may occur at any time, can last from 30 minutes to several hours, and may not be relieved by rest or nitroglycerin.

AMI pain can happen even when a person is at rest or asleep.

Question 12

What is the duration of pain associated with an AMI?

Answer 12

It can last between 30 minutes and several hours.

Unlike angina, which resolves quickly.

Question 13

What percentage of patients do not seek medical attention during an AMI?

Answer 13

Approximately one-third of patients.

This is often due to fear of severe outcomes.

Question 14

What is ‘cardiac denial’?

Answer 14

It is the fear of dying that leads people to minimize their symptoms.

This is particularly common among middle-aged men.

Question 15

Who may not experience pain during an AMI?

Answer 15

Older people, women, and people with diabetes.

They may have other symptoms associated with ischemia.

Question 16

What is often the only complaint in older patients and women during an AMI?

Answer 16

Fatigue.

This can be mistaken for other non-cardiac issues.

Question 17

What is a silent myocardial infarction?

Answer 17

An AMI without the classic chest pain.

It can occur in various populations, especially women and older individuals.

Question 18

Why should EMTs consider AMI even when chest pain is not present?

Answer 18

Heart disease is the number one killer of women and other at-risk populations.

This includes older people and those with diabetes.

Question 19

What should you do if the chief complaint is chest pain?

Answer 19

Complete a thorough assessment regardless of what the patient says.

This ensures all potential cardiac issues are identified.

Question 20

Any complaint of chest discomfort should be considered _______.

Answer 20

a serious matter.

It is essential to assume the worst in these situations.