What assessment finding indicates that a client’s chest pain is likely from stable angina?

The assessment finding that indicates a client’s chest pain is likely from stable angina is relief of the pain after the client takes nitroglycerin. In stable angina, the chest pain is typically triggered by physical activity or emotional stress and is characteristically relieved by rest or the use of nitroglycerin, a medication that dilates blood vessels and improves blood flow to the heart. The predictable nature of stable angina means that the discomfort often resolves once the precipitating factor is removed or treated, which aligns with the scenario of the pain easing after nitroglycerin is administered.

In contrast, worsening pain during rest may suggest instability or a change in the nature of the condition, signaling a possible progression to unstable angina or other cardiac issues. Similarly, chest pain that is consistent and lasts more than 20 minutes may indicate more serious conditions like myocardial infarction, while pain radiating to the left arm and jaw, while common in various forms of angina, does not distinctly differentiate stable angina from other cardiac conditions. The hallmark of stable angina is that it is typically predictable, transient, and responds well to identified treatments like nitroglycerin.