Ask the patient to report the character of the pain and aggravating factors.  This is the most correct answer.   The first step to appropriately evaluate the patient is to gather more historical data before initiating a physical exam.  The decision to continue treatment or refer to the physician will be dependent upon the historical information and objective findings.  Swain, D. P., & Brawner, C. A. (2018). ACSMs resource manual for Guidelines for exercise testing and prescription (9th ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. P. 45