Which initial intervention is most appropriate for a patient who has a new onset of chest pain?

A) Reassess the patient.
B) Notify the health care provider.
C) Administer a prn medication for pain.
D) Call radiology for a portable chest x-ray.

Preparation for implementation ensures efficient, safe, and effective nursing care; the first activity is reassessment. The cause of the patient's chest pain is unknown, so the patient needs to be reassessed before pain medication is administered or a chest x-ray is obtained. The nurse then notifies the patient's health care provider of the patient's current condition in anticipation of receiving further orders. The patient's chest pain could be due to muscular injury or a pulmonary issue. The nurse needs to reassess first.