What initial assessment should the nurse perform for a client experiencing acute chest pain?

Performing a pain assessment is crucial as the initial step for a client experiencing acute chest pain. When a patient presents with this symptom, understanding the characteristics of the pain—such as its onset, location, duration, quality, and any associated symptoms—provides essential information to help determine the potential cause. This assessment can help distinguish between different conditions, such as myocardial infarction, angina, or other cardiac-related issues.

Gathering this information early allows the healthcare team to tailor their interventions appropriately and address the patient’s needs more effectively. While checking vital signs, assessing respiratory rate, or obtaining an ECG are all important components of the clinical evaluation, the pain assessment takes precedence in acute settings to prioritize the patient’s immediate discomfort and guide further diagnostic and therapeutic actions.