Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS)

What should a healthcare provider do if a 60-year-old female presents with indigestion and mild upper abdominal discomfort?

1. Perform a 12-lead ECG

2. Place a gastric tube

3. Listen for heart sounds

4. Observe standard precautions

The correct answer is: Perform a 12-lead ECG

When a 60-year-old female presents with indigestion and mild upper abdominal discomfort, it is crucial to assess for any potential cardiac issues, especially given the patient's age and the nonspecific nature of her symptoms. Performing a 12-lead ECG is an important step in this process because indigestion can sometimes mimic or be associated with cardiac conditions such as myocardial infarction in older adults. A 12-lead ECG allows healthcare providers to evaluate the heart's electrical activity and identify any signs of ischemia, arrhythmias, or other critical cardiac abnormalities that may require immediate intervention. Recognizing a cardiac event promptly can be life-saving, as symptoms such as indigestion can be misleading. Other options may not address the need for an urgent cardiac assessment. Placing a gastric tube might be indicated in certain gastrointestinal distress situations but is not typically a first-line response to mild abdominal discomfort or indigestion. Listening for heart sounds can provide some information, but it wouldn't be as comprehensive or definitive as performing an ECG. While observing standard precautions is important in all patient interactions to ensure safety and prevent infection, it does not directly address the potential cardiac causes of the patient's symptoms. In summary, performing a 12-lead ECG is essential in this scenario to