Case 1:

JF is a 42-year old previously healthy farmer who presented with sudden onset central chest pain of one hour duration to the ED. The pain is associated with sweating and radiates to the left arm and jaw. The area of discomfort is about the size of the fist.

Ragavendra R. Baliga, M.D
Assistant Professor
Division of Cardiology
University Of Michigan

 

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Question 24 of 39:

It is recommended that patients should be administered pharmacological anxiolytics such as diazepam during their hospital stay.

You clicked 'False'

Correct!

Routine use of pharmacological anxiolytics is neither necessary or recommended. It has been demonstrated that anxiety, blood pressure, heart rate and ischemic-type chest discomfort were no different in patients treated with diazepam compared with those treated with placebo [1]. Whereas, psychological support provided during hospitalization has been shown to decrease anxiety and depression immediately and for up to 6 months after MI [2].

Reference:

1. Dixon RA, Edwards IR, Pilcher J. Diazepam in immediate post-myocardial infarct period: a double blind trial. Br Heart J 1980;43:535-540.

2. Thompson DR, Meddis R. A prospective evaluation of in-hospital counseling for the first time myocardial infarction in men. J Psychosoma Res 1990;34:237-248.

 
 
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