Caring for the Acutely Ill
Caring for the Acutely Ill - Final Exam
Old Content Study Questions and
Answers 2025
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) -Correct Answer ✔Characterized by plaque buildup in
coronary arteries.
Manifestations of CAD -Correct Answer ✔Classic symptoms include 'chest pain,
tightness/fullness/pressure in midsternal area, pain radiating to left arm, neck, jaw, or
back, diaphoresis, dizziness/lightheadedness, N/V, SOB, weakness.'
Atypical symptoms of CAD -Correct Answer ✔May be seen in females, older adults, and
diabetics.
Diagnostics for CAD -Correct Answer ✔12-lead ECG, lipid panel, inflammatory markers
(homocysteine, c-reactive protein), cardiac enzymes, cardiac catheterization, stress tests,
CXR.
Treatment for CAD -Correct Answer ✔Angioplasty, thrombolytics, Coronary Artery
Bypass Graft (CABG).
Pericarditis -Correct Answer ✔Inflammation of the pericardial sac.
Manifestations of Pericarditis -Correct Answer ✔Key sign is 'pericardial friction rub,'
along with 'sharp/stabbing chest pain that worsens on inhalation or lying supine, and
improves when sitting upright and leaning forward, chest palpitations, syncope episodes,
dizziness, hiccups, dysphagia, low-grade fever, weight loss.'
Caring for the Acutely Ill
,Caring for the Acutely Ill
Diagnostics for Pericarditis -Correct Answer ✔CBC, ESR, C-reactive protein, blood
cultures, troponins, ECG, Echocardiogram, CXR, cardiac MRI.
Treatment for Pericarditis -Correct Answer ✔NSAIDs, colchicine, glucocorticosteroids,
bed rest, anxiety and pain management.
Pericardial Effusion -Correct Answer ✔Fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac.
Manifestations of Pericardial Effusion -Correct Answer ✔'Orthopnea, fever, chest
pain/discomfort, dry cough, DOE or SOB when lying supine.'
Diagnostics for Pericardial Effusion -Correct Answer ✔CBC, chemistry panel, thyroid
panel, cardiac enzymes, ECG, Echocardiogram, CXR.
Treatment for Pericardial Effusion -Correct Answer ✔Pericardiocentesis.
Cardiac Tamponade -Correct Answer ✔Significant fluid accumulation (200-300 mL)
around the heart.
Manifestations of Cardiac Tamponade -Correct Answer ✔Beck's Triad: 'hypotension, JVD,
muffled heart tones,' along with 'Pulsus Paradoxus - fall in systolic BP, anxiety,
restlessness, difficulty breathing, chest pain, bleeding, shock, death.'
Diagnostics for Cardiac Tamponade -Correct Answer ✔Echocardiogram, ECG, CXR, CT,
MRI, coronary angiography, right heart catheterization, creatine kinase levels, renal
profile, coagulation studies, antinuclear antibody tests, erythrocyte sedimentation rate,
HIV testing, purified protein derivative skin tests.
Caring for the Acutely Ill
, Caring for the Acutely Ill
Treatment for Cardiac Tamponade -Correct Answer ✔'Surgical intervention with
pericardial window, supplemental O2, trendelenburg position, volume resuscitation,
vasopressin support, pericardiocentesis.'
CABG Surgery -Correct Answer ✔Bypassing blockages with healthy vessels.
Methods of CABG Surgery -Correct Answer ✔Traditional open-heart surgery or Off-Pump
Coronary Artery Bypass (OPCAB) 'aka 'Beating Heart.'
Nutrition for Cardiac Patients -Correct Answer ✔High caloric and protein needs: '24-30
kCal/kg/day, 1.5-2.5 grams protein/kg/day based on IBW, calorie dense food choices
initially.'
Patient Education for Cardiac Issues -Correct Answer ✔Patient should 'seek treatment if -
temp >100.4F, new/worsening chest or incisional pain, rapid heart rate,
redness/bleeding/purulent incision drainage;' also includes wound care,
smoking/tobacco cessation, cardiac rehabilitation.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) -Correct Answer ✔Stretching and weakening of the
aorta.
Manifestations of AAA -Correct Answer ✔Often asymptomatic, but may include 'audible
bruit over aneurysm side, pulsating/palpable abdominal mass.'
Ruptured AAA -Correct Answer ✔'Sudden onset of back and abdominal pain, noticeable
abdominal distention, s/s of hemorrhagic shock, Cullen's Sign, Turner's Sign.'
Diagnostics for AAA -Correct Answer ✔Often discovered incidentally on imaging.
Caring for the Acutely Ill
Caring for the Acutely Ill - Final Exam
Old Content Study Questions and
Answers 2025
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) -Correct Answer ✔Characterized by plaque buildup in
coronary arteries.
Manifestations of CAD -Correct Answer ✔Classic symptoms include 'chest pain,
tightness/fullness/pressure in midsternal area, pain radiating to left arm, neck, jaw, or
back, diaphoresis, dizziness/lightheadedness, N/V, SOB, weakness.'
Atypical symptoms of CAD -Correct Answer ✔May be seen in females, older adults, and
diabetics.
Diagnostics for CAD -Correct Answer ✔12-lead ECG, lipid panel, inflammatory markers
(homocysteine, c-reactive protein), cardiac enzymes, cardiac catheterization, stress tests,
CXR.
Treatment for CAD -Correct Answer ✔Angioplasty, thrombolytics, Coronary Artery
Bypass Graft (CABG).
Pericarditis -Correct Answer ✔Inflammation of the pericardial sac.
Manifestations of Pericarditis -Correct Answer ✔Key sign is 'pericardial friction rub,'
along with 'sharp/stabbing chest pain that worsens on inhalation or lying supine, and
improves when sitting upright and leaning forward, chest palpitations, syncope episodes,
dizziness, hiccups, dysphagia, low-grade fever, weight loss.'
Caring for the Acutely Ill
,Caring for the Acutely Ill
Diagnostics for Pericarditis -Correct Answer ✔CBC, ESR, C-reactive protein, blood
cultures, troponins, ECG, Echocardiogram, CXR, cardiac MRI.
Treatment for Pericarditis -Correct Answer ✔NSAIDs, colchicine, glucocorticosteroids,
bed rest, anxiety and pain management.
Pericardial Effusion -Correct Answer ✔Fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac.
Manifestations of Pericardial Effusion -Correct Answer ✔'Orthopnea, fever, chest
pain/discomfort, dry cough, DOE or SOB when lying supine.'
Diagnostics for Pericardial Effusion -Correct Answer ✔CBC, chemistry panel, thyroid
panel, cardiac enzymes, ECG, Echocardiogram, CXR.
Treatment for Pericardial Effusion -Correct Answer ✔Pericardiocentesis.
Cardiac Tamponade -Correct Answer ✔Significant fluid accumulation (200-300 mL)
around the heart.
Manifestations of Cardiac Tamponade -Correct Answer ✔Beck's Triad: 'hypotension, JVD,
muffled heart tones,' along with 'Pulsus Paradoxus - fall in systolic BP, anxiety,
restlessness, difficulty breathing, chest pain, bleeding, shock, death.'
Diagnostics for Cardiac Tamponade -Correct Answer ✔Echocardiogram, ECG, CXR, CT,
MRI, coronary angiography, right heart catheterization, creatine kinase levels, renal
profile, coagulation studies, antinuclear antibody tests, erythrocyte sedimentation rate,
HIV testing, purified protein derivative skin tests.
Caring for the Acutely Ill
, Caring for the Acutely Ill
Treatment for Cardiac Tamponade -Correct Answer ✔'Surgical intervention with
pericardial window, supplemental O2, trendelenburg position, volume resuscitation,
vasopressin support, pericardiocentesis.'
CABG Surgery -Correct Answer ✔Bypassing blockages with healthy vessels.
Methods of CABG Surgery -Correct Answer ✔Traditional open-heart surgery or Off-Pump
Coronary Artery Bypass (OPCAB) 'aka 'Beating Heart.'
Nutrition for Cardiac Patients -Correct Answer ✔High caloric and protein needs: '24-30
kCal/kg/day, 1.5-2.5 grams protein/kg/day based on IBW, calorie dense food choices
initially.'
Patient Education for Cardiac Issues -Correct Answer ✔Patient should 'seek treatment if -
temp >100.4F, new/worsening chest or incisional pain, rapid heart rate,
redness/bleeding/purulent incision drainage;' also includes wound care,
smoking/tobacco cessation, cardiac rehabilitation.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) -Correct Answer ✔Stretching and weakening of the
aorta.
Manifestations of AAA -Correct Answer ✔Often asymptomatic, but may include 'audible
bruit over aneurysm side, pulsating/palpable abdominal mass.'
Ruptured AAA -Correct Answer ✔'Sudden onset of back and abdominal pain, noticeable
abdominal distention, s/s of hemorrhagic shock, Cullen's Sign, Turner's Sign.'
Diagnostics for AAA -Correct Answer ✔Often discovered incidentally on imaging.
Caring for the Acutely Ill
