Differential diagnoses - thorax

[EMSSam]

I've just started on-road placements as part of my paramedic course. I've started doing some of the patient assessment and am getting better, the problem is, I'm having a hard time asking the right questions or coming to some sort of a diagnosis because my knowledge of conditions is limited.

Obviously I just need to keep reading the text books, but I was wondering what possible diagnoses I would consider, regarding the pulmonary and cardio systems, for chest pain?

 

[crazycajun]

Any chest pain should be considered as an AMI until proven otherwise. Look for CHF, PE, COPD etc... Don't forget to ask the PT questions. Remember your basic training SAMPLE/OPQRST!!! Also remember the PT's have not read your book so they have no idea on what they are supposed to look like or how they are supposed to feel. Last but not least....TREAT THE BASICS FIRST!!! You cannot perform Advanced life support without first treating the primary basics. ABC's!!!!