New York State Basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B) Practice Exam

What should the EMS provider suspect if a contractor experiences diffuse chest pain that disappears with rest?

1. Muscular cramps

2. Angina pectoris

3. Pulmonary edema

4. Congestive heart failure

The correct answer is: Angina pectoris

When a contractor experiences diffuse chest pain that alleviates with rest, the provider should consider angina pectoris as a likely cause. Angina pectoris occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood, leading to chest pain or discomfort. This condition is often triggered by physical exertion or stress, which aligns with the situation involving a contractor who may be exerting themselves while working. The fact that the chest pain disappears with rest is a classic characteristic of angina, as it typically resolves once the individual stops the activity that is causing the heart's oxygen demand to increase. This transient nature of the pain is a critical aspect that differentiates angina from other more persistent or severe conditions. In contrast, muscular cramps tend to have a different set of triggers and do not generally resolve through rest in the same way angina does. Conditions such as pulmonary edema or congestive heart failure would likely present with additional symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or swelling, and are not typically characterized solely by diffuse chest pain that resolves with rest. Therefore, in this scenario, the symptoms presented strongly suggest angina pectoris as the most plausible diagnosis.