Chest pain scenario 1

candidate brief

Mr Hector has been brought in by ambulance following an episode of chest pain. Please take a history.

60% history taking, 20% communication 20% clinical reasoning

actor brief

Episode crushing central chest pain a few hours ago - lasted about an hour
Called ambulance -

examiner brief

  • Washes hands, introduces self
  • Confirms patient identity
  • Checks patient comfort before starting
  • Ensures patient is stable before starting history
  • Gets event history
  • Enquires about pain - character, duration, time course, radiation
  • Enquires about important associated symptoms
  • Past medical history
  • Drug history and allergies
  • Social history
    • Smoking
    • Alcohol
    • Recreational drugs
  • Sensitive to patient's defensiveness re drugs
  • Elicits concerns and addresses these appropriately
  • Invites questions
  • Appropriate management plan
    • ECG, Troponin
  • Explains differentials
  • Thanks patient
  • Global mark examiner
  • Global mark patient

to imitate the chest pain with cocaine scenario