ChartFlow Team
Chest pain. Is it an MI? Is it angina? What medication to give… what medication are we allowed to give at the BLS level? These questions can be a lot to process for new students hoping to work in EMS. That’s why we created 6 free patient scenarios that allow you to practice your skills just like you would in real life.
Read the scenario in ChartFlow.io, then chart what you would do and what the expected response would be in the "Patient Complaint and History" and the "Procedures and Interventions" sections.
Here’s how to access this scenario (Scenario #6) and other free patient scenarios in ChartFlow:
1. Go to ChartFlow.io2. Click to create a “New Student Account”
3. Enter Access Code: 77c3c26294
Make sure to enter the Access Code on the first page when you create an Account. If you miss this step, you’ll need to contact CharFlow’s support. Once you’ve created your account, you should see the following screen with activities available.
At the bottom of this page we’ll give you scenario feedback to review after completing the charting. Need more help? Check out our book, BLS Provider Medication Guide on Amazon—it’s great for both learning and reviewing medications given at this level. Small enough for a pocket or med bag, this is a great guide to keep with you as you get comfortable in the field.
Scenario 6
Scene:
You arrive onsite to find a 50 year old Asian man sitting on a chair beside the checkout counter of a local grocery store. He starts talking before you ask him any questions, “Sorry, I have angina and I have my heart pills in my pocket but I grabbed my chest when it started to hurt and the cashier insisted I stay here until someone could take a look at me. It still hurts, but I’m sure it’s nothing serious. I took one pill about 10 minutes ago, what do you all suggest I do now?”
You ask to see his medication and find a bottle with the original prescribing label for 0.4 mg sublingual tablets.
Patient Findings:
BP: 130/84
Pulse: 110 bpm
Respiratory Rate: 14 breaths per minute, equal and clear breath sounds on auscultation
Oxygen stats: 100%
LOC and orientation: Responds in conversation. Tells you his name, day of the week, current location, and explains what happened leading up to your arrival.
Head-to-toe: Pupils equally responsive to light. No injuries, blood, or wounds present. Sensation in all four limbs, hands and feet.
Known allergies: None
Known medical history: Hypertension, high cholesterol, angina
Simulation solution below. Do not read until the activity is complete.
Scenario Solution
This patient has angina controlled with nitroglycerin. Because he has only taken one pill and is not hypotensive, he can take a second pill. You should take vital signs five minutes after and make sure the man remains sitting during that time in case his blood pressure drops. You may want to offer transport to the hospital for further tests and do a detailed head-to-toe exam with a medical history during this time to see if there are any other signs and symptoms that suggest the person is experiencing something other than angina.
Additional free patient scenarios can be found on these blogs:
- Free Practice Scenario for Basic Life Support (BLS) and EMT students
- Free Practice Scenario #2 for First Responder and EMT Students
- Free Practice Scenario for all First Responder, BLS, First Aid, and EMT Students (Scenario #3)
- Free Basic Life Support Practice for Students (Scenario #4)
- Practice Medication Administration & Diagnostic Skills Scenario for EMTs (Scenario #5)
-The ChartFlow Team