Page 18

Chapter 18

Caroline

A twenty-four-year-old male comes to the emergency room for chest pain ranked 15/10. Vitals, labs, and EKG are within normal limits. He has no significant medical history, and the physical exam was unremarkable. When you inform him that he is fit for discharge, he becomes visibly distressed and states that he is going to die. How should you respond?

A) “We’re all going to die eventually. It’s probably just anxiety.” B) “Let’s work together to figure out what could be causing you to feel that way.” C) “Let me consult cardiology for a second opinion.” D) “I’m sorry. Would you like to see psychiatry before you go home?”