BCEN CEN Practice Question

While both benzodiazepines and beta-blockers may eventually be used to manage symptoms associated with anxiety disorders or cardiac issues, the Valsalva maneuver will help differentiate whether the patient's symptoms are related to the mitral valve prolase or panic attacks. An increase in symptoms after the maneuver may suggest cardiac involvement, whereas a decrease may indicate panic attack. A 12-lead ECG should already be completed as part of the workup to rule out cardiac arrhythmias; administering aspirin would not be a priority without evidence of acute coronary syndrome; and scheduling an echocardiogram is important for long-term management but not an immediate intervention in the ED.