Nursing Care Plan for Chest Pain
Also searched as: angina, cardiac chest pain
🎓 Educational example. Adapt to your patient and have your instructor review it. Not medical advice.
Chest discomfort that may signal cardiac ischemia and must be treated as potentially life-threatening until ruled out. Nursing care is rapid assessment and relief.
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Assessment
- Subjective: chest pressure/pain, possible radiation, dyspnea
- Objective: ECG changes, abnormal vitals, diaphoresis, elevated cardiac markers
Nursing diagnoses
As evidenced by: chest pain report, ECG/vital changes
Goals / expected outcomes
- The patient will report relief of chest pain and maintain stable cardiac status.
Nursing interventions & rationale
| Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Obtain a 12-lead ECG immediately and assess pain (OPQRST). | Rapid ECG identifies ischemia/MI in the treatment window. |
| Give oxygen only if hypoxic (SpO2 <90%), aspirin, and nitroglycerin as ordered — hold nitroglycerin for SBP <90 or recent PDE5-inhibitor use; reassess pain. | Reduces ischemia and clot risk; nitrates can cause profound hypotension with PDE5 inhibitors or low blood pressure. |
| Monitor continuous cardiac rhythm and vitals. | Detects arrhythmias and deterioration. |
| Promote rest and reassurance to lower cardiac demand. | Reduces myocardial oxygen demand and anxiety. |
Evaluation
- Chest pain relieved
- Stable rhythm and vitals
- Cause identified/treated
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Build a care plan free Preview Pro (coming soon)Chest Pain care plan: FAQ
What is the nursing diagnosis for Chest Pain?
Common nursing diagnoses include: Acute pain related to possible myocardial ischemia. Choose the one your patient's assessment data supports.
What are nursing interventions for Chest Pain?
Key interventions: Obtain a 12-lead ECG immediately and assess pain (OPQRST).; Give oxygen only if hypoxic (SpO2 <90%), aspirin, and nitroglycerin as ordered — hold nitroglycerin for SBP <90 or recent PDE5-inhibitor use; reassess pain.; Monitor continuous cardiac rhythm and vitals. — each paired with a rationale.
Can I use this care plan for my assignment?
Use it as a study example and starting draft. Always adapt it to your specific patient and have it reviewed by your instructor. This is an educational tool, not medical advice.
For nursing education only — NOT medical advice and not a clinical decision-making tool. Nothing here should be used to assess, diagnose, or treat any real patient. Care plans and answers are unverified study drafts to review with your instructor or a licensed clinician and adapt to the individual patient and your institution’s protocols before any use.
Last reviewed 2026-07. Educational content based on standard nursing practice; not medical advice and not affiliated with NANDA-I/NIC/NOC. Always follow your institution's protocols and your instructor's guidance.