NR 545 PRACTICE EXAMINATION 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS GRADED A+
● What is Angina?. Answer: Angina, or angina pectoris, is often described as chest pain
usually precipitated by stress or exertion and relieved rapidly with rest or nitrates. Those with
angina report varying symptoms including chest pain categorized as squeezing while others
describe the pain like a heavy weight being placed on the chest. Angina is relatively common,
and usually due to atherosclerotic heart disease.
● What is the Patho of Angina?. Answer: Angina is chest pain that is associated with
decreased blood flow or ischemia to the myocardial tissue. The decreased blood flow may be
the result of atherosclerosis or coronary artery spasm. Neural pain receptors are stimulated by
accelerated cellular metabolism, chemical changes, and imbalances
● What are signs and symptoms of Angina?. Answer: - chest heaviness - chest pressure -
squeezing or fullness Sometimes this pain radiates to the left shoulder and arm while others
report pain in the jaw. Generally, the attack length can range anywhere between three
minutes to twenty minutes. Attacks reported at greater than thirty minutes are concerning and
could indicate the development of acute coronary syndrome.
● What lab test are needed for angina?. Answer: - Troponin - CK-MB: to evaluate for acute
coronary symptoms as well as for anemia which might be contributing to ischemic chest pain.
- An ECG should also be obtained to rule out acute coronary syndrome.
● What are pharmacological remedies for Angina?. Answer: Nitroglycerin (Drug of
choice): Nitroglycerin relaxes and widens the blood vessel promoting easier blood flow to the
heart muscle. Dosing of nitroglycerin is 0.3-0.6 mg by translingual spray or sublingual tablet
every five minutes, as indicated with a max of 3 doses in 15 minutes. Beta-Blockers and ACE
inhibitors
● What is a myocardial infarction?. Answer: (Heart Attack) A myocardial infarction (MI)
occurs when blood flow to the heart is minimized. The blockage is most often caused by a
buildup of cholesterol, which forms a plaque in the arteries that circulate oxygenated blood
flow to the myocardium. When the plaque breaks away it can form a clot, interrupting or
completely blocking blood flow and destroying a part of the heart muscle. Unlike with an
episode of angina, those experiencing a myocardial infarction often report symptoms of pain
at rest.
, ● What is the patho of a Myocardial Infarction?. Answer: During a myocardial infarction
there is an imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand. Prolonged ischemia
(>30 minutes) from the lack of circulating blood flow to the myocardium results in cellular
death, further impacting the heart's ability to function. Depending on the extent of the cell
death, the heart might have decreased contractility resulting in wall function abnormalities
further placing the patient at risk for decompensation.
● What are the symptoms of a Myocardial Infraction?. Answer: - Sharp radiating pain
(Even at rest) - Light-headed or have increased feelings of anxiety or impending doom. -
Nausea (more common in right coronary artery occlusion) - Vomiting - Diaphoresis - Syncope
- Dyspnea - Orthopnea - Wheezing
● What lab test are needed for a Myocardial Infraction?. Answer: - Troponins - CK-MB -
An ECG will often demonstrate ST-segment elevation or new left bundle branch block.
● How do you manage a Myocardial Infraction?. Answer: Patients presenting with acute
myocardial infarction will need reperfusion therapy or fibrinolytic therapy. To decrease
mortality rates, reperfusion through PCI needs to be completed within 90 minutes of
presentation to the emergency room.
● What is Atherosclerosis?. Answer: a disease of the arteries characterized by the
deposition of plaques of fatty material on their inner walls.
● What is the path of Atherosclerosis?. Answer: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory
process that begins with damage to the endothelium often the result of hypertension,
smoking, high cholesterol or other risk factors. The endothelium develops a fatty streak which
further develops into a fibrous plaque and then complicated lesion.
● Physical assessment of Atherosclerosis?. Answer: Family medical history and personal
medical history should be reviewed for risk factors, including level of physical activity, tobacco,
use, and dietary habits. A review of symptoms including recent and increasing fatigue, as well
as fluid retention should be completed. A medication history should be obtained to determine
risk factors including high cholesterol, hypertension, or diabetes. While a full physical
assessment should be performed, particular attention to pulse deficits, neck vein distention,
edema, and calf pain can further contribute to the diagnosis.
● What are test of Atherosclerosis?. Answer: - Stress tests (either exercise or
pharmacological) - Chest x-ray - 12-lead ECG - Ankle-Brachial index might also be performed
to assess blood pressure in the extremities.
ANSWERS GRADED A+
● What is Angina?. Answer: Angina, or angina pectoris, is often described as chest pain
usually precipitated by stress or exertion and relieved rapidly with rest or nitrates. Those with
angina report varying symptoms including chest pain categorized as squeezing while others
describe the pain like a heavy weight being placed on the chest. Angina is relatively common,
and usually due to atherosclerotic heart disease.
● What is the Patho of Angina?. Answer: Angina is chest pain that is associated with
decreased blood flow or ischemia to the myocardial tissue. The decreased blood flow may be
the result of atherosclerosis or coronary artery spasm. Neural pain receptors are stimulated by
accelerated cellular metabolism, chemical changes, and imbalances
● What are signs and symptoms of Angina?. Answer: - chest heaviness - chest pressure -
squeezing or fullness Sometimes this pain radiates to the left shoulder and arm while others
report pain in the jaw. Generally, the attack length can range anywhere between three
minutes to twenty minutes. Attacks reported at greater than thirty minutes are concerning and
could indicate the development of acute coronary syndrome.
● What lab test are needed for angina?. Answer: - Troponin - CK-MB: to evaluate for acute
coronary symptoms as well as for anemia which might be contributing to ischemic chest pain.
- An ECG should also be obtained to rule out acute coronary syndrome.
● What are pharmacological remedies for Angina?. Answer: Nitroglycerin (Drug of
choice): Nitroglycerin relaxes and widens the blood vessel promoting easier blood flow to the
heart muscle. Dosing of nitroglycerin is 0.3-0.6 mg by translingual spray or sublingual tablet
every five minutes, as indicated with a max of 3 doses in 15 minutes. Beta-Blockers and ACE
inhibitors
● What is a myocardial infarction?. Answer: (Heart Attack) A myocardial infarction (MI)
occurs when blood flow to the heart is minimized. The blockage is most often caused by a
buildup of cholesterol, which forms a plaque in the arteries that circulate oxygenated blood
flow to the myocardium. When the plaque breaks away it can form a clot, interrupting or
completely blocking blood flow and destroying a part of the heart muscle. Unlike with an
episode of angina, those experiencing a myocardial infarction often report symptoms of pain
at rest.
, ● What is the patho of a Myocardial Infarction?. Answer: During a myocardial infarction
there is an imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand. Prolonged ischemia
(>30 minutes) from the lack of circulating blood flow to the myocardium results in cellular
death, further impacting the heart's ability to function. Depending on the extent of the cell
death, the heart might have decreased contractility resulting in wall function abnormalities
further placing the patient at risk for decompensation.
● What are the symptoms of a Myocardial Infraction?. Answer: - Sharp radiating pain
(Even at rest) - Light-headed or have increased feelings of anxiety or impending doom. -
Nausea (more common in right coronary artery occlusion) - Vomiting - Diaphoresis - Syncope
- Dyspnea - Orthopnea - Wheezing
● What lab test are needed for a Myocardial Infraction?. Answer: - Troponins - CK-MB -
An ECG will often demonstrate ST-segment elevation or new left bundle branch block.
● How do you manage a Myocardial Infraction?. Answer: Patients presenting with acute
myocardial infarction will need reperfusion therapy or fibrinolytic therapy. To decrease
mortality rates, reperfusion through PCI needs to be completed within 90 minutes of
presentation to the emergency room.
● What is Atherosclerosis?. Answer: a disease of the arteries characterized by the
deposition of plaques of fatty material on their inner walls.
● What is the path of Atherosclerosis?. Answer: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory
process that begins with damage to the endothelium often the result of hypertension,
smoking, high cholesterol or other risk factors. The endothelium develops a fatty streak which
further develops into a fibrous plaque and then complicated lesion.
● Physical assessment of Atherosclerosis?. Answer: Family medical history and personal
medical history should be reviewed for risk factors, including level of physical activity, tobacco,
use, and dietary habits. A review of symptoms including recent and increasing fatigue, as well
as fluid retention should be completed. A medication history should be obtained to determine
risk factors including high cholesterol, hypertension, or diabetes. While a full physical
assessment should be performed, particular attention to pulse deficits, neck vein distention,
edema, and calf pain can further contribute to the diagnosis.
● What are test of Atherosclerosis?. Answer: - Stress tests (either exercise or
pharmacological) - Chest x-ray - 12-lead ECG - Ankle-Brachial index might also be performed
to assess blood pressure in the extremities.
