The nurse is caring for a patient who is having a heart attack.The patient tells the nurse that the pain is down his left arm rather than in his chest.What type of pain is the patient experiencing?

A) Referred
B) Psychogenic
C) Peripheral
D) Chronic

Referred pain is when the patient experiences discomfort at an area other than the source of the pain.In this case,the patient has left arm pain even though the source of the pain is the heart.Psychogenic pain is discomfort that is associated with psychological disorders.Peripheral pain is a type of neuropathic pain due to damaged peripheral nerves of the hands and feet.A heart attack is an example of acute pain rather than chronic pain.