A nurse is caring for a patient with lung cancer who reports chest pain, dyspnea, facial redness, and swollen neck veins. After assessing these symptoms, which condition should the nurse prioritize preparing for?

Rationale: A. Pericarditis typically presents with sharp, pleuritic chest pain that may improve when leaning forward, often accompanied by pericardial friction rub or fever. While chest pain is a symptom, facial redness and neck vein swelling are not characteristic, making pericarditis less likely in this scenario. B. A pneumothorax usually causes sudden, unilateral chest pain and shortness of breath, sometimes with decreased breath sounds on the affected side. It does not typically cause facial redness or distended neck veins, so it is unlikely to explain the full set of symptoms. C. Pulmonary embolism presents with sudden dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, tachypnea, and possibly hemoptysis. While the patient has dyspnea and chest pain, facial redness and swollen neck veins are not typical, making PE less likely as the priority. D. Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome occurs when the SVC is partially obstructed, often by a tumor such as lung cancer. Classic signs include facial and neck swelling, redness (plethora), distended neck veins, and dyspnea. Chest pain may also be present. This condition can become life-threatening if not promptly managed, making it the nurse’s priority to prepare for interventions such as elevating the head of the bed, oxygen therapy, and notifying the healthcare provider immediately.