Abnormal Findings- Differential Diagnosis of Chest
Pain Overview Questions & Answers
What are 3 cardiovascular (ischemic) chest pains? - ANSWER1) Angina pectoris: stable
2) Prinzmetal or variant angina
3) Acute coronary sydrome (unstable, MI)
What are 4 cardiovascular (nonischemic) chest pains? - ANSWER1) Pericarditis
2) Mitral valve prolapse
3) Aortic dissection
4) Pulmonary hypertension (secondary)
What are 3 pulmonary chest pains? - ANSWER1) Pulmonary embolism
2) Pneumonia
3) Pneumothorax
What are 4 Gastrointestinal chest pains? - ANSWER1) Gastroesophageal reflux
2) Esophageal spasm
3) Cholecystitis
4) Pancreatitis
What is a dermatologic chest pain? - ANSWERHerpes zoster
What are 2 Musculoskeletal/Neurologic chest pains? - ANSWER1) Costochondritis
2) Chest wall muscle strain
What are 2 Psychogenic chest pains? - ANSWER1) Depression
2) Anxiety
Pain description for Angina pectoris (stable) - ANSWERPressurelike discomfort (tight,
squeeze, burning)
- Precipitated by activity and resolves with rest
What is the definition of a stable condition? - ANSWERNo change in pain pattern within
last 60 days
Where is angina pectoris located? - ANSWER1) Generalized substernal or retrosternal
2) Radiate to teeth, jaw, neck, one or both arms or shoulders
3) May be no pain
What are the possible associated symptoms of angina pectoris? - ANSWER1)
Diaphoresis
2) Nausea
3) Vomiting
, 4) Dyspnea
Pain description of prinzmetal or variant angina - ANSWER1) Pressurelike discomfort
often occurring at rest and early morning
Where is prinzmetal or variant agina located? - ANSWER1) Retrosternal
2) Can radiate to jaw, neck, left arm, or shoulder
What are possible associated symptoms of prinzmetal or variant angina? -
ANSWERPalpitations, syncope, or feelings of syncope
Pain description for acute coronary syndrome (unstable angina, MI) - ANSWER1)
Heaviness
2) Viselike
3) Squeezing
4) Crushing
5) Tightness
6) Vague
7) Burning
8) Constricting
9) Pressure
10) Poorly localized pain lasting 20-30 minutes to hours
Does not resolve with rest
Where is acute coronary syndrome (unstable angina, MI) located? - ANSWER1)
Generalized substernal or retrosternal
2) Can radiate to teeth, jaw, neck, one or both arms or shoulders
3) May be no pain and only associated symptoms
What are the possible associated symptoms of acute coronary syndrome (unstable
angina, MI)? - ANSWER1) Indigestion-like feeling
2) Nausea
3) Vomiting
4) Dizziness
5) Flushing
6) Perspiration
7) Palpitation
8) Dyspnea
Pain description for pericarditis - ANSWER1) Sudden sharp and stabbing pain relieved
often by sitting or leaning forward
2) Worsens by lying down and inspiration
Where is pericarditis located? - ANSWER1) Substernal
2) Can radiate to trapezius muscle region
Pain Overview Questions & Answers
What are 3 cardiovascular (ischemic) chest pains? - ANSWER1) Angina pectoris: stable
2) Prinzmetal or variant angina
3) Acute coronary sydrome (unstable, MI)
What are 4 cardiovascular (nonischemic) chest pains? - ANSWER1) Pericarditis
2) Mitral valve prolapse
3) Aortic dissection
4) Pulmonary hypertension (secondary)
What are 3 pulmonary chest pains? - ANSWER1) Pulmonary embolism
2) Pneumonia
3) Pneumothorax
What are 4 Gastrointestinal chest pains? - ANSWER1) Gastroesophageal reflux
2) Esophageal spasm
3) Cholecystitis
4) Pancreatitis
What is a dermatologic chest pain? - ANSWERHerpes zoster
What are 2 Musculoskeletal/Neurologic chest pains? - ANSWER1) Costochondritis
2) Chest wall muscle strain
What are 2 Psychogenic chest pains? - ANSWER1) Depression
2) Anxiety
Pain description for Angina pectoris (stable) - ANSWERPressurelike discomfort (tight,
squeeze, burning)
- Precipitated by activity and resolves with rest
What is the definition of a stable condition? - ANSWERNo change in pain pattern within
last 60 days
Where is angina pectoris located? - ANSWER1) Generalized substernal or retrosternal
2) Radiate to teeth, jaw, neck, one or both arms or shoulders
3) May be no pain
What are the possible associated symptoms of angina pectoris? - ANSWER1)
Diaphoresis
2) Nausea
3) Vomiting
, 4) Dyspnea
Pain description of prinzmetal or variant angina - ANSWER1) Pressurelike discomfort
often occurring at rest and early morning
Where is prinzmetal or variant agina located? - ANSWER1) Retrosternal
2) Can radiate to jaw, neck, left arm, or shoulder
What are possible associated symptoms of prinzmetal or variant angina? -
ANSWERPalpitations, syncope, or feelings of syncope
Pain description for acute coronary syndrome (unstable angina, MI) - ANSWER1)
Heaviness
2) Viselike
3) Squeezing
4) Crushing
5) Tightness
6) Vague
7) Burning
8) Constricting
9) Pressure
10) Poorly localized pain lasting 20-30 minutes to hours
Does not resolve with rest
Where is acute coronary syndrome (unstable angina, MI) located? - ANSWER1)
Generalized substernal or retrosternal
2) Can radiate to teeth, jaw, neck, one or both arms or shoulders
3) May be no pain and only associated symptoms
What are the possible associated symptoms of acute coronary syndrome (unstable
angina, MI)? - ANSWER1) Indigestion-like feeling
2) Nausea
3) Vomiting
4) Dizziness
5) Flushing
6) Perspiration
7) Palpitation
8) Dyspnea
Pain description for pericarditis - ANSWER1) Sudden sharp and stabbing pain relieved
often by sitting or leaning forward
2) Worsens by lying down and inspiration
Where is pericarditis located? - ANSWER1) Substernal
2) Can radiate to trapezius muscle region
