Safety & ProfessionalismQuestion 89 of 100
During a treadmill stress test, the patient reports chest pain and the monitor shows new ST segment depression. What should the technician do?
a.Increase the speed to complete the protocol stage
b.Stop the test, notify the supervising physician or nurse immediately, and monitor the patient
c.Tell the patient the pain is normal and continue
d.Turn off the monitor so the patient does not become anxious
Explanation
New chest pain or significant ST changes are recognized indications to terminate a stress test, and the supervising provider must be notified at once while the patient is monitored during recovery. Advancing the protocol increases myocardial oxygen demand and risk. Dismissing symptoms is unsafe, and turning off monitoring removes the very information needed to manage the event.
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