What is the first action a nurse should take when a patient develops chest pain?

Assessing the patient’s vital signs is the first crucial step when a patient develops chest pain because it provides immediate, objective information regarding the patient’s hemodynamic status and overall condition. Vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation, can reveal critical data that might indicate the severity of the situation, such as potential cardiac ischemia or other complications.

In the context of chest pain, vital signs can help determine the urgency and potential underlying cause, guiding further interventions. For example, if the vital signs indicate hypotension or significant tachycardia, this may suggest the need for rapid escalation of care or intervention.

Other options, while important in the overall management of chest pain, lack the immediacy required in this scenario. Administering pain relief medication might be appropriate soon after assessing the patient's condition, but it cannot be justified without first understanding the patient's vital signs and stability. Calling a code blue would typically only be warranted if the patient exhibits severe distress or is unresponsive, while preparing the patient for surgery is not an immediate action in response to chest pain without prior assessment of the cause.