Cardiovascular: Chest Pain, Fever, Palpitations and Treatment

This report analyzes a case of a patient experiencing chest pain, fever, and palpitations. It explores potential causes, including myocardial infarction, pulmonary infections, and gastrointestinal problems. The report recommends diagnostic studies such as chest X-rays, sputum tests, and nasopharyngeal tests to determine the underlying cause. It also discusses the potential of viral infections like pneumonia, and the importance of antiviral treatments. The report also touches on the need for patient education regarding hygiene and preventing transmission. The report references relevant medical literature to support its findings.

Runninghead: CARDIOVASCULAR 1
Cardiovascular
Student’s Name
Date of Submission

CARDIOVASCULAR 2
Questions
For how long have you been experiencing palpations, fever and chest pain?
Does any member of your family suffer from chest problems?
Did you take any medication at the onset of these symptoms?
Diagnosis
Recommend a chest X-ray- to find out the underlying cause of chest pain, whether there could be
infections in the upper and lower respiratory system (Shakeel, 2015).
Hospital admission- this will enable the patient to be evaluated for the possible causes of the
presenting symptoms, and if possible be put on antibiotics coverage.
CXR can also be requested specially to determine whether the patients are suffering from
community acquired pneumonia. This CXR needs to be repeated for between 24 to 48 hours
upon hospital admission.
Sputum test is also recommended to find out whether the patient has bacterial infection or not; a
case in which if the bacterial test is negative then there are enough reasons to suspect viral
infections.
Diagnostic studies
Nasopharyngeal tests
Diagnostic imaging of the chest
Physical exam and results

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The culture of the nasal, throat and mouth washes and swabs are important to ascertain the actual
cause of the infections presenting with these symptoms.
Enzyme immune assays- these include antibody and antigen titers to determine the viral loads in
the chest in the body system.
Three differentials
The presenting chest pain, fever and malaise could be due to myocardial infarction, pulmonary
infections and gastrointestinal problems.
Life threatening diagnosis
In the event that this could be a pulmonary viral infection, say pneumonia, then this is a
dangerous condition because there is no cure for viral infections (Ann, 2017).
Treatment
If Robert is suffering from viral infection, the doctor will prescribe antivirals like oseltamivir and
peramivir which prevent viral spread in the body. The patient and his family will also be
educated on how to prevent transmission to other family members by observing top level
hygiene and avoiding close contact during medication.

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References
Ann, M., (2017). Upper respiratory tract infection work up. Medscape. Retrieved from
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/302460-workup
Shakeel, A., (2015). Viral pneumonia imaging. Medscape. Retrieved from
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/360254-overview