Acute Coronary Syndrome- Exam Questions with Verified Solutions Latest Version (2025-2026)
Already Passed
Cause of ACS - Answers Prolonged ischemia resulting in unstable angina (UA), non-ST-segment-elevation
myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and STEM.
Nursing Management for ACS - Answers Pain assessment and relief, careful observation of signs and
symptoms, promotion of rest and comfort, and teaching stress reduction strategies.
ACS is caused by the decline of a once stable---- - Answers Atherosclerotic plaque - the previously stable
plaque ruptures, releasing substances into the vessel. This causes plaque aggregation and thrombus
formation.
NSTEMI - Answers Partially blocked by a thrombus
STEMI - Answers Totally blocked by a thrombus and blood flow is restricted
Pain - Answers Occurs with increasing frequency and is easily provoked by minimal or no exertion,
during sleep, or even at rest.
Unstable Angina: Pain Symptoms - Answers At rest or has worsening patterns
Pt. with previously diagnosed angina describes pain that has prolonged rapidly in the past few hours,
days, or weeks, often pain at rest
Unstable Angina: Gender Differences - Answers 75 YOA+: MI incidence in men and women equalize
Men present more with acute MI
Men develop greater collateral circulation than women
Men have larger coronary arteries
Women seek medical attn for symptoms more than men
Myocardial Infarction: Pain Symptoms - Answers Severe/ persistent chest pain not relieved by rest or
nitrates is the hallmark of an MI
,Pain: heaviness, pressure, burning, crushing, tightness, or constriction
Pain usually lasts 20 min. or more and is more severe than usual angina
Epigastric pain pt. may take antacids without relief
Myocardial Infarction: Gender Differences - Answers Women seen to have first MI at older age, often
have more comorbidities
Women seek medical attn later in CV disease process and often more ill on presentation
UA is first heart event for women most often
Women: more "silent" MIs
Women: more disability after CV event
Common Pain Locations for MI and UA - Answers Epigastric
Substernal
Retrosternal
Pain may - Answers Radiate to the neck, jaws, and arms or to the back
Active or at rest, asleep or awake
Commonly occurs in early mornings
Pain Patterns/ Locations UA and MI - Answers Mid sternum, left shoulder and down both arms, neck and
arms
, Substernal radiating to neck and jaw, substernal radiating down left arm
Epigastric radiating to neck, jaw, and arms
Intrascapular
Which statement best describes acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?
ACS is the progression of untreated ischemia.
ACS is the equalization of oxygen demand and supply.
ACS is the development of a stable atherosclerotic plaque.
ACS is the first clinical sign of systemic atherosclerotic disease - Answers ACS is the progression of
untreated ischemia.---
When ischemia is prolonged and not immediately reversible, ACS develops and encompasses the
spectrum of unstable angina, non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, and ST-segment-
elevation myocardial infarction.
How does acute coronary syndrome cause injury to the heart?
Collateral circulation develops from a thrombus that obstructs blood flow.
Platelets adhere to the plaque, occluding blood flow to the myocardium.
A plaque narrows the blood vessel causing increased blood flow to the myocardium.
Already Passed
Cause of ACS - Answers Prolonged ischemia resulting in unstable angina (UA), non-ST-segment-elevation
myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and STEM.
Nursing Management for ACS - Answers Pain assessment and relief, careful observation of signs and
symptoms, promotion of rest and comfort, and teaching stress reduction strategies.
ACS is caused by the decline of a once stable---- - Answers Atherosclerotic plaque - the previously stable
plaque ruptures, releasing substances into the vessel. This causes plaque aggregation and thrombus
formation.
NSTEMI - Answers Partially blocked by a thrombus
STEMI - Answers Totally blocked by a thrombus and blood flow is restricted
Pain - Answers Occurs with increasing frequency and is easily provoked by minimal or no exertion,
during sleep, or even at rest.
Unstable Angina: Pain Symptoms - Answers At rest or has worsening patterns
Pt. with previously diagnosed angina describes pain that has prolonged rapidly in the past few hours,
days, or weeks, often pain at rest
Unstable Angina: Gender Differences - Answers 75 YOA+: MI incidence in men and women equalize
Men present more with acute MI
Men develop greater collateral circulation than women
Men have larger coronary arteries
Women seek medical attn for symptoms more than men
Myocardial Infarction: Pain Symptoms - Answers Severe/ persistent chest pain not relieved by rest or
nitrates is the hallmark of an MI
,Pain: heaviness, pressure, burning, crushing, tightness, or constriction
Pain usually lasts 20 min. or more and is more severe than usual angina
Epigastric pain pt. may take antacids without relief
Myocardial Infarction: Gender Differences - Answers Women seen to have first MI at older age, often
have more comorbidities
Women seek medical attn later in CV disease process and often more ill on presentation
UA is first heart event for women most often
Women: more "silent" MIs
Women: more disability after CV event
Common Pain Locations for MI and UA - Answers Epigastric
Substernal
Retrosternal
Pain may - Answers Radiate to the neck, jaws, and arms or to the back
Active or at rest, asleep or awake
Commonly occurs in early mornings
Pain Patterns/ Locations UA and MI - Answers Mid sternum, left shoulder and down both arms, neck and
arms
, Substernal radiating to neck and jaw, substernal radiating down left arm
Epigastric radiating to neck, jaw, and arms
Intrascapular
Which statement best describes acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?
ACS is the progression of untreated ischemia.
ACS is the equalization of oxygen demand and supply.
ACS is the development of a stable atherosclerotic plaque.
ACS is the first clinical sign of systemic atherosclerotic disease - Answers ACS is the progression of
untreated ischemia.---
When ischemia is prolonged and not immediately reversible, ACS develops and encompasses the
spectrum of unstable angina, non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, and ST-segment-
elevation myocardial infarction.
How does acute coronary syndrome cause injury to the heart?
Collateral circulation develops from a thrombus that obstructs blood flow.
Platelets adhere to the plaque, occluding blood flow to the myocardium.
A plaque narrows the blood vessel causing increased blood flow to the myocardium.
