A 40-year-old man comes to the emergency department complaining of chest pain and shortness of breath for about an hour. The onset occurred rapidly while he was riding on a crowded subway. He has no history of heart or other significant medical problem. His pulse and respiratory rate are increased but blood pressure and temperature are normal. His skin is damp and cool. His electrocardiogram, cardiac enzymes, chest x-ray, and other routine laboratory tests are all normal. What is the most likely diagnosis?

What does a CEN do? A Certified Emergency Nurse treats patients while they face a life-threatening crisis.  According to the BCEN (Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing), which sponsors the certification exam for emergency nurses, the emergency nurse certification process helps patient care by: Establishing a level of knowledge, competency, requirements, and achievements Measuring the attainment of a defined body of knowledge needed to function at the current level of competence Encouraging participation in continuing education Promoting professional development and career... Show more

What does a CEN do?
A Certified Emergency Nurse treats patients while they face a life-threatening crisis.  According to the BCEN (Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing), which sponsors the certification exam for emergency nurses, the emergency nurse certification process helps patient care by:

Establishing a level of knowledge, competency, requirements, and achievements
Measuring the attainment of a defined body of knowledge needed to function at the current level of competence
Encouraging participation in continuing education
Promoting professional development and career advancement
Providing employers, patients, and peers a mechanism to recognize knowledgeable professionals
Promoting self confidence for emergency nursing practitioners
 .
The CEN exam is composed of 175 multiple choice questions and you are given three hours to complete the exam.
There are twelve areas tested on the CEN exam:
- Cardiovascular 
- Respiratory 
- Medical Emergencies and Infections 
- Neurological
- Orthopedics and Wounds 
- Gastrointestinal 
- Genitourinary, Gynecological and Obstetrical 
- Environment and Toxicology 
- Professional issues 
- Shock 
- Maxillofacial and Ocular 
– Psychosocial

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