Dental OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) Practice Exam

Which of the following is a common symptom of a heart attack?

1. Nausea

2. Headache

3. Swollen feet

4. Insomnia

The correct answer is: Nausea

Nausea is commonly recognized as a symptom of a heart attack. This can occur due to the body’s response to the stress and pain associated with heart issues. During a heart attack, the heart may not be receiving enough oxygen, leading to a variety of symptoms, including gastrointestinal upset. Patients often report feelings of sickness or an unexplained sense of nausea, which can be mistaken for indigestion or other less serious conditions. In contrast, while headache, swollen feet, and insomnia may be symptoms of various health issues, they are not typically associated with the acute presentation of a heart attack. Headache can arise from many causes, but it lacks the direct connection to cardiac events that nausea has. Swollen feet often point to issues like fluid retention or heart failure but are not characteristic of heart attacks. Insomnia is more related to stress, anxiety, or other chronic conditions rather than an immediate symptom of a heart attack. Understanding these distinctions can help in recognizing the signs of a heart attack quickly and accurately.