Five days after an MI, a patient reports chest fullness and dyspnea. The nurse should assess for which symptoms?

Five days after an MI, a patient reports chest fullness and dyspnea. The nurse should assess for which symptoms?

• A. Headache
• B. Abdominal pain
• C. Numbness in fingers
• D. Cough and dyspnea

Answer: (D)

After an MI, new or worsening dyspnea with chest fullness points to left-sided heart failure with pulmonary congestion. When the left ventricle isn’t pumping effectively, pressure backs up into the pulmonary circulation, causing fluid to leak into the lungs. That fluid buildup triggers coughing and shortness of breath, which are key signs of pulmonary edema and the need for prompt assessment and intervention. In this subacute period, recognizing cough and dyspnea helps identify a potentially serious complication early. The other options—headache, abdominal pain, and numbness in the fingers—don’t reflect this pulmonary congestion process and aren’t typical signs of post‑MI heart failure.