Texas Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Which observation should an NA report to the nurse immediately?

1. Headache

2. Chest pain

3. Fatigue

4. Loss of appetite

The correct answer is: Chest pain

Chest pain is a critical observation that should be reported to the nurse immediately due to its potential association with serious medical conditions, such as heart attacks or other cardiovascular issues. Chest pain can indicate that the body is experiencing a lack of oxygen, which can lead to life-threatening consequences if not addressed promptly. In a healthcare setting, any indication of chest pain demands immediate attention and assessment to determine the underlying cause and provide appropriate interventions. Timely reporting of such a symptom can significantly impact patient outcomes and ensure that necessary medical evaluations and treatments are initiated as soon as possible. While other symptoms like headache, fatigue, and loss of appetite can indicate health concerns and should also be reported eventually, they do not typically pose the same urgent risk to a patient's life or health as chest pain does.