In all the chapters the Case Studies represent situations similar to those that the medical assistant may encounter in daily practice. Students are encouraged to consider the case study as they read each chapter.

A 54-year-old male patient calls in to the office and, as the medical assistant, you answer the phone. The patient obviously has shortness of breath and states rapidly, “I need to see the doctor right away.”

After you establish the patient's name, you learn that the patient complains of pain in his jaw area that lasts for about 5 minutes and then goes away. He also states that he was mowing the lawn when he started sweating heavily and having a little difficulty breathing. Once he was inside the house, he did have some nausea and vomited once.

As you read this chapter, consider the following questions:

1. What would your first response to the patient be?

2. Explain how you would handle this situation.

3. What type of incoming call was this?

4. What type of condition did this patient's symptoms indicate?

5. What are some other symptoms of this condition?