Rasmussen College MDC 3 FINAL
2026 EXAM | 100% Correct Answers |
Latest Version
1. What are the risk factors and findings associated with
Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)/Myocardial
Infarction (MI)?
Correct Answer:
• Atherosclerosis
• Women may present with different or atypical symptoms
• Age/genetics
• Smoking
• Elevated troponin
• ST-segment elevation in 2 contiguous ECG leads
Rationale:
Acute coronary syndrome results primarily from reduced or
interrupted coronary blood flow, most commonly due to
atherosclerotic plaque rupture and thrombus formation. Major
risk factors include increasing age, genetic predisposition,
smoking, dyslipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.
,Women may experience atypical symptoms such as nausea,
fatigue, dyspnea, or epigastric discomfort. Elevated cardiac
troponin indicates myocardial injury, while ST-segment
elevation in contiguous leads may indicate acute coronary
occlusion requiring rapid reperfusion.
2. What are the classic signs and symptoms of Acute
Coronary Syndrome?
Correct Answer:
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Diaphoresis
Rationale:
Classic ACS symptoms include pressure, squeezing,
heaviness, or discomfort in the chest, often accompanied by
dyspnea and diaphoresis. Pain may radiate to the arm,
shoulder, neck, jaw, or back. These symptoms should be
treated as potentially life-threatening until ACS is ruled out.
3. What are atypical signs and symptoms of Acute
Coronary Syndrome?
,Correct Answer:
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Epigastric pain
Rationale:
ACS does not always present with classic crushing chest pain.
Atypical manifestations may include nausea, vomiting,
dizziness, unusual fatigue, dyspnea, or epigastric discomfort.
Atypical presentations are particularly important to recognize
because delayed diagnosis can postpone reperfusion and
increase myocardial damage.
4. What is the treatment for angina?
Correct Answer:
• Rest
• Nitroglycerin
• Emergency care if symptoms are not relieved
Rationale:
Rest decreases myocardial oxygen demand. Nitroglycerin
causes venodilation and decreases preload, reducing cardiac
workload and myocardial oxygen demand. Persistent or
, worsening chest pain despite prescribed nitroglycerin requires
emergency evaluation because it may represent ACS or
myocardial infarction.
5. What are the treatments for Acute Coronary
Syndrome?
Correct Answer:
• Morphine, only if ordered/indicated
• Oxygen, if needed
• Nitroglycerin, after appropriate contraindications are
ruled out
• Aspirin, chewed, 162–325 mg
• Cardiac catheterization
• CABG
Rationale:
ACS treatment focuses on restoring coronary perfusion,
limiting myocardial injury, controlling symptoms, and
preventing complications. Aspirin is commonly administered
promptly because it inhibits platelet aggregation. Oxygen is
used when hypoxemia is present rather than routinely in
patients with adequate oxygenation. Nitroglycerin may relieve
ischemic chest discomfort when appropriate. Cardiac
2026 EXAM | 100% Correct Answers |
Latest Version
1. What are the risk factors and findings associated with
Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)/Myocardial
Infarction (MI)?
Correct Answer:
• Atherosclerosis
• Women may present with different or atypical symptoms
• Age/genetics
• Smoking
• Elevated troponin
• ST-segment elevation in 2 contiguous ECG leads
Rationale:
Acute coronary syndrome results primarily from reduced or
interrupted coronary blood flow, most commonly due to
atherosclerotic plaque rupture and thrombus formation. Major
risk factors include increasing age, genetic predisposition,
smoking, dyslipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.
,Women may experience atypical symptoms such as nausea,
fatigue, dyspnea, or epigastric discomfort. Elevated cardiac
troponin indicates myocardial injury, while ST-segment
elevation in contiguous leads may indicate acute coronary
occlusion requiring rapid reperfusion.
2. What are the classic signs and symptoms of Acute
Coronary Syndrome?
Correct Answer:
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Diaphoresis
Rationale:
Classic ACS symptoms include pressure, squeezing,
heaviness, or discomfort in the chest, often accompanied by
dyspnea and diaphoresis. Pain may radiate to the arm,
shoulder, neck, jaw, or back. These symptoms should be
treated as potentially life-threatening until ACS is ruled out.
3. What are atypical signs and symptoms of Acute
Coronary Syndrome?
,Correct Answer:
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Epigastric pain
Rationale:
ACS does not always present with classic crushing chest pain.
Atypical manifestations may include nausea, vomiting,
dizziness, unusual fatigue, dyspnea, or epigastric discomfort.
Atypical presentations are particularly important to recognize
because delayed diagnosis can postpone reperfusion and
increase myocardial damage.
4. What is the treatment for angina?
Correct Answer:
• Rest
• Nitroglycerin
• Emergency care if symptoms are not relieved
Rationale:
Rest decreases myocardial oxygen demand. Nitroglycerin
causes venodilation and decreases preload, reducing cardiac
workload and myocardial oxygen demand. Persistent or
, worsening chest pain despite prescribed nitroglycerin requires
emergency evaluation because it may represent ACS or
myocardial infarction.
5. What are the treatments for Acute Coronary
Syndrome?
Correct Answer:
• Morphine, only if ordered/indicated
• Oxygen, if needed
• Nitroglycerin, after appropriate contraindications are
ruled out
• Aspirin, chewed, 162–325 mg
• Cardiac catheterization
• CABG
Rationale:
ACS treatment focuses on restoring coronary perfusion,
limiting myocardial injury, controlling symptoms, and
preventing complications. Aspirin is commonly administered
promptly because it inhibits platelet aggregation. Oxygen is
used when hypoxemia is present rather than routinely in
patients with adequate oxygenation. Nitroglycerin may relieve
ischemic chest discomfort when appropriate. Cardiac
