What should a nurse prioritize when caring for a patient with chest pain?

Prioritizing the assessment of vital signs is crucial when caring for a patient presenting with chest pain. This is because chest pain could be a symptom of a serious condition such as myocardial infarction, angina, or another acute cardiac event. Evaluating vital signs provides immediate information regarding the patient's cardiovascular status, including heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation.

Monitoring vital signs enables the nurse to detect any abnormalities or deterioration in the patient's condition, which could necessitate urgent intervention. For instance, significant changes in heart rate or blood pressure may indicate a worsening cardiac event that requires immediate medical attention.

While education on heart health, promoting deep breathing exercises, and preparing medications are all important elements of care, they come after ensuring the patient is stable and their vital signs are within acceptable limits. Without the foundational information gathered from assessing vital signs, it is difficult to make informed decisions about further interventions or treatments.