In this instructional video, the presenter walks through an NCLEX practice question that describes a client with chest pain that is new in onset, occurs at rest, and is increasing in frequency. By emphasizing key diagnostic keywords, the instructor explains why these features point to unstable angina rather than chronic stable angina, pericarditis, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The explanation contrasts unstable angina’s presentation—new, worsening chest pain at rest—with stable angina’s predictable pain during exertion and the differing symptom patterns of pericarditis and GERD. The video serves as a study aid, teaching test‑takers how to spot critical language cues that signal unstable angina on the NCLEX.
Chapters
Let's walk through an NCLEX practice question. So this one says a client presents with chest pain that is new in onset, occurs at rest, and is increasing in frequency. The nurse should recognize these symptoms as most indicative of chronic stable angina, pericarditis, unstable angina, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, or gerd. Now, anytime we read an NCLEX question, we want to watch out for key words. So. So what this question is asking us for is what is this most indicative of? The nurse should recognize what is this condition most probable of? And now, another key word I want you to point out is chest pain. Obviously, it's talking about chest pain. That is what this question is actually talking about. Chest pain on the NCLEX is a huge safety thing. They're gonna test you a lot on it. So here this client is presenting with chest pain that is new in onset. It occurs at rest, and it's increasing in frequenc. Now, the answer here is C unstable angina. And here's why. Unstable angina is characterized by chest pain that's new in onset, that it is new chest pain, it just started happening, and it's getting worse over time, and it occurs at rest. Now, this is different than chronic stable angina. Now, chronic stable angina, this is predictable when the patient exercises or exerts themselves, like during exercise. And then pericarditis and gerd, those can present with chest pain, but they have different typical presentations, so they're going to present differently. So with this patient here, we're going to categorize this as unstable angina, because this chest pain is new, just started, it occurs at rest, and it's getting worse.
