NSG 426 Cardiac Sherpath Exam Questions
With Verified Answers
ischemia - ANSWER Insufficient oxygen is available to the myocardium
Infarction - ANSWER Death of myocardial cells after poor perfusion
Angina Pectoris - ANSWER An imbalance between myocardial demand and
oxygen supply to the tissues
Coronary Artery Disease - ANSWER Includes chronic stable angina and acute
coronary syndrome
Which explanation describes myocardial infarction? - ANSWER ST-segment
elevation myocardial elevation (STEMI) requires immediate intervention.
STEMI occurs when a thrombus causes a complete occlusion to the coronary
artery. A patient experiencing a STEMI requires immediate revascularization of
the blocked artery.
Which teaching point about prevention of coronary artery disease would the
nurse include when providing education? - ANSWER Blood pressure must be
monitored and controlled.
Hypertension is a risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease.
The nurse counsels the patient to observe their blood pressure, report high
values to the provider, and follow instructions about blood pressure control.
Which characteristic describes the pain associated with cardiac ischemia? -
ANSWER May mimic the feeling of indigestion
The pain of cardiac ischemia may mimic the sensation of indigestion with
pressure or burning in the epigastric area. This is a potential cause for delay in
seeking treatment as patients may discount their cardiac ischemia symptoms as
benign.
Which statement by the nurse about acute coronary syndrome assessment is
correct? - ANSWER -"Angina is relieved by nitroglycerin or rest."
-"An S3 gallop can indicate heart failure after MI."
-"Patients often become febrile after experiencing an MI."
-"Sinus tachycardia is a common rhythm after an MI."
, -Angina should be relieved by use of nitroglycerin or rest and should last less
than 15 minutes. Chest discomfort that is not relieved by these measures or
lasts longer is suspicious for MI.
-The presence of an S3 gallop can indicate that a patient has developed heart
failure after MI. The S3 sound can be auscultated with the stethoscope's bell
over the apex of the heart.
-A fever is often seen in patients after an MI up to several days after the event.
This is due to the inflammatory response to the necrotic cardiac tissue, which
will become infiltrated with neutrophils.
-Sinus tachycardia (with or without premature ventricular contractions [PVCs])
frequently occurs in the patient recovering from an MI for the first few hours.
Which laboratory test does the nurse anticipate for diagnostic confirmation of a
suspected MI? - ANSWER Serum troponin
While no specific laboratory test is fully diagnostic for MI, serum troponins are
sent when MI is suspected. Rising troponins T and I indicate cardiac necrosis.
Troponin levels may be normal when the patient presents for treatment, but then
rise rapidly within 12 hours of MI onset.
Which type of myocardial infarction (MI) is associated with left ventricular failure
and has the highest mortality rate? - ANSWER Anterior wall
Anterior wall myocardial infarction occurs when the left anterior descending
(LAD) artery becomes obstructed. Patients with AWMIs have the highest
mortality rate because they are most likely to have left ventricular failure and
dysrhythmias from damage to the left ventricle
Which teaching point about coronary artery disease (CAD) would the nurse
include in patient education? - ANSWER -Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of
CAD.
-Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of CAD.
-Limiting daily cholesterol intake helps prevent CAD.
-Carefully controlling diabetes mellitus helps prevent CAD.
-Atherosclerosis is the primary factor in the development of CAD. The nurse
counsels the patient to address modifiable risk factors through efforts such as
smoking cessation, consuming a healthy diet, and managing diabetes.
-Patients with metabolic syndrome are at increased risk of developing coronary
artery disease. Risk factors for metabolic syndrome include hypertension,
elevated triglycerides, increased fasting blood glucose, and large waist
size/obesity.
With Verified Answers
ischemia - ANSWER Insufficient oxygen is available to the myocardium
Infarction - ANSWER Death of myocardial cells after poor perfusion
Angina Pectoris - ANSWER An imbalance between myocardial demand and
oxygen supply to the tissues
Coronary Artery Disease - ANSWER Includes chronic stable angina and acute
coronary syndrome
Which explanation describes myocardial infarction? - ANSWER ST-segment
elevation myocardial elevation (STEMI) requires immediate intervention.
STEMI occurs when a thrombus causes a complete occlusion to the coronary
artery. A patient experiencing a STEMI requires immediate revascularization of
the blocked artery.
Which teaching point about prevention of coronary artery disease would the
nurse include when providing education? - ANSWER Blood pressure must be
monitored and controlled.
Hypertension is a risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease.
The nurse counsels the patient to observe their blood pressure, report high
values to the provider, and follow instructions about blood pressure control.
Which characteristic describes the pain associated with cardiac ischemia? -
ANSWER May mimic the feeling of indigestion
The pain of cardiac ischemia may mimic the sensation of indigestion with
pressure or burning in the epigastric area. This is a potential cause for delay in
seeking treatment as patients may discount their cardiac ischemia symptoms as
benign.
Which statement by the nurse about acute coronary syndrome assessment is
correct? - ANSWER -"Angina is relieved by nitroglycerin or rest."
-"An S3 gallop can indicate heart failure after MI."
-"Patients often become febrile after experiencing an MI."
-"Sinus tachycardia is a common rhythm after an MI."
, -Angina should be relieved by use of nitroglycerin or rest and should last less
than 15 minutes. Chest discomfort that is not relieved by these measures or
lasts longer is suspicious for MI.
-The presence of an S3 gallop can indicate that a patient has developed heart
failure after MI. The S3 sound can be auscultated with the stethoscope's bell
over the apex of the heart.
-A fever is often seen in patients after an MI up to several days after the event.
This is due to the inflammatory response to the necrotic cardiac tissue, which
will become infiltrated with neutrophils.
-Sinus tachycardia (with or without premature ventricular contractions [PVCs])
frequently occurs in the patient recovering from an MI for the first few hours.
Which laboratory test does the nurse anticipate for diagnostic confirmation of a
suspected MI? - ANSWER Serum troponin
While no specific laboratory test is fully diagnostic for MI, serum troponins are
sent when MI is suspected. Rising troponins T and I indicate cardiac necrosis.
Troponin levels may be normal when the patient presents for treatment, but then
rise rapidly within 12 hours of MI onset.
Which type of myocardial infarction (MI) is associated with left ventricular failure
and has the highest mortality rate? - ANSWER Anterior wall
Anterior wall myocardial infarction occurs when the left anterior descending
(LAD) artery becomes obstructed. Patients with AWMIs have the highest
mortality rate because they are most likely to have left ventricular failure and
dysrhythmias from damage to the left ventricle
Which teaching point about coronary artery disease (CAD) would the nurse
include in patient education? - ANSWER -Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of
CAD.
-Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of CAD.
-Limiting daily cholesterol intake helps prevent CAD.
-Carefully controlling diabetes mellitus helps prevent CAD.
-Atherosclerosis is the primary factor in the development of CAD. The nurse
counsels the patient to address modifiable risk factors through efforts such as
smoking cessation, consuming a healthy diet, and managing diabetes.
-Patients with metabolic syndrome are at increased risk of developing coronary
artery disease. Risk factors for metabolic syndrome include hypertension,
elevated triglycerides, increased fasting blood glucose, and large waist
size/obesity.
