The nurse is caring for a patient who is having a heart attack. The patient tells the nurse that the pain is down his left arm rather than in his chest. What type of pain is the patient experiencing?

Choice A reason: This is correct. The patient must hold on to the railing when ambulating in the hallway indicates that the patient is experiencing difficulty with proprioception. Proprioception is the body's ability to sense its own position, movement, and spatial orientation. It helps the patient maintain balance and coordination. If the patient has impaired proprioception, they may feel unsteady or fall when walking without support.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect. The patient must add extra seasoning to food in order for it to have any flavor does not indicate that the patient is experiencing difficulty with proprioception. This may indicate that the patient has a reduced sense of taste, which can be caused by various factors, such as aging, medication, infection, or smoking. It does not affect the patient's perception of their body or movement.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect. The patient suffered a first-degree burn when a heating pad was left on too long does not indicate that the patient is experiencing difficulty with proprioception. This may indicate that the patient has a reduced sense of pain or temperature, which can be caused by nerve damage, diabetes, or spinal cord injury. It does not affect the patient's perception of their body or movement.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect. The patient did not smell smoke even though the smoke detector was alarming does not indicate that the patient is experiencing difficulty with proprioception. This may indicate that the patient has a reduced sense of smell, which can be caused by nasal congestion, allergy, infection, or head injury. It does not affect the patient's perception of their body or movement.

Choice A reason: This is an incorrect choice because the nurse requests that the primary health care provider examines the patient is not the information that the nurse reports for the “B”. The “B” stands for background, which is the relevant information about the patient's history, diagnosis, and treatment. The nurse's request is part of the “R”, which stands for recommendation, which is the action that the nurse suggests or requests.

Choice B reason: This is the correct choice because the patient has a fractured right leg with a cast that was applied 2 days ago is the information that the nurse reports for the “B”. The “B” stands for background, which is the relevant information about the patient's history, diagnosis, and treatment. The patient's fracture and cast are part of the patient's background that the nurse should share with the primary health care provider.

Choice C reason: This is an incorrect choice because the patient’s toes are cool and pale and the patient reports that the foot feels numb is not the information that the nurse reports for the “B”. The “B” stands for background, which is the relevant information about the patient's history, diagnosis, and treatment. The patient's toes and foot are part of the patient's current condition that the nurse should report for the “S”, which stands for situation, which is the reason for the communication and the patient's status.

Choice D reason: This is an incorrect choice because the patient is reporting severe pain 1 hour after pain medication was given is not the information that the nurse reports for the “B”. The “B” stands for background, which is the relevant information about the patient's history, diagnosis, and treatment. The patient's pain and medication are part of the patient's current condition that the nurse should report for the “S”, which stands for situation, which is the reason for the communication and the patient's status.