Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

A male patient's chest tightness relieved by rest is indicative of which condition?

1. Angina pectoris

2. Acute myocardial infarction

3. Gastroesophageal reflux disease

4. Acute costochondritis

The correct answer is: Angina pectoris

Chest tightness that is relieved by rest is typically indicative of angina pectoris. Angina, often resulting from myocardial ischemia due to narrowed or blocked coronary arteries, manifests as a sensation of pressure, tightness, or pain in the chest. This discomfort usually occurs during physical exertion or stress and subsides with rest or the use of nitroglycerin. In contrast, acute myocardial infarction is characterized by prolonged pain that does not typically resolve with rest and may signify an ongoing heart attack. Gastroesophageal reflux disease can also cause chest discomfort, but this type of pain is often accompanied by other gastrointestinal symptoms and does not specifically improve with rest. Acute costochondritis refers to inflammation of the cartilage connecting ribs to the sternum, leading to localized chest pain that may worsen with movement or palpation rather than improving with rest. Thus, the nature of the chest tightness being relieved by rest aligns closely with angina pectoris, making it the correct condition in this scenario.