Texas Medical Assistant Certification Practice Test

What condition might you suspect in a patient with sharp, stabbing pain radiating to the left arm, shortness of breath, and serious apprehension?

1. Patient is having a cerebral vascular accident

2. Patient had a closed head injury

3. Patient is having a myocardial infarction

4. Patient has acute thoracic syndrome

The correct answer is: Patient is having a myocardial infarction

The symptoms described in the scenario—sharp, stabbing pain radiating to the left arm, shortness of breath, and serious apprehension—are characteristic of a myocardial infarction (heart attack). When the heart muscle does not receive adequate blood flow, commonly due to a blockage in the coronary arteries, it can lead to chest pain that may radiate to the arm, especially the left arm. The sensation of shortness of breath is often associated with heart distress and can occur even before significant heart damage ensues. Additionally, feelings of apprehension or anxiety can accompany such episodes, as the body reacts to the distress caused by potential heart damage. This combination of symptoms aligns specifically with cardiac events, making a myocardial infarction the condition most likely to be suspected in this scenario. This understanding differentiates it from other conditions listed in the options, which do not typically present with the same symptom profile as seen in cases of heart attacks.