Massachusetts MAP Certification Practice Test

What is the first response if a resident complains of chest pain for more than two minutes?

1. Administer nitroglycerin

2. Call the emergency telephone number

3. Monitor vital signs

4. Reassure the resident

The correct answer is: Call the emergency telephone number

When a resident complains of chest pain lasting more than two minutes, the immediate response should be to call the emergency telephone number. This is crucial because chest pain can indicate a serious medical condition, such as a heart attack, which requires prompt medical intervention. Calling emergency services ensures that professional help can arrive as quickly as possible, allowing for necessary medical assessments and treatments to be initiated. Other options, while they may be considered in later steps of the response, do not address the urgency of the situation. Administering nitroglycerin may be appropriate for someone known to have angina, but it should only be done after calling for help and if the medical protocol allows it. Monitoring vital signs is important, but it does not replace the need for immediate emergency assistance. Reassuring the resident could provide psychological comfort, but it does not address the critical situation at hand. Prioritizing communication with emergency services is essential for ensuring the resident receives timely and potentially life-saving care.