A 56-year-old client comes to the triage area with left-sided chest pain, diaphoresis, and dizziness. What is the priority action?

• A. Initiate continuous electrocardiographic monitoring
• B. Notify the ED physician
• C. Administer oxygen via nasal cannula
• D. Establish IV access

Answer: (C)

When a patient presents with chest pain plus diaphoresis and dizziness, ensuring adequate oxygen delivery to the heart is the immediate priority. Administering oxygen via a nasal cannula is the fastest, least invasive way to support breathing and increase arterial oxygen content as you continue the assessment. This step helps reduce myocardial ischemia risk while you obtain vital signs, place the patient on continuous monitoring, and start definitive evaluation and treatment.

While continuous ECG monitoring, establishing IV access, and notifying the ED physician are all critical next steps, they hinge on having the patient stabilized first. Providing oxygen does not delay those actions; it addresses a fundamental need—adequate oxygenation—so you can safely proceed with the rest of the ACS protocol.