Free BCEN Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Practice Question

Costochondritis is characterized by inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the sternum. This inflammation leads to chest pain, which is the primary symptom of the condition. The pain is typically sharp and localized to the front of the chest wall. It's important to note that while costochondritis causes chest pain, it does not affect the heart or lungs directly. The pain is musculoskeletal in nature and is often exacerbated by movement or pressure on the affected area. Understanding this characteristic helps emergency nurses differentiate costochondritis from other potentially more serious causes of chest pain, such as cardiac or pulmonary conditions.