CH 37: Diagnostics and Intervention Studies Flashcards
A 58-year-old male with a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia presents to the emergency department with complaints of new-onset chest pain that started 30 minutes ago while he was watching television. He describes the pain as “pressure-like,” radiating to his left arm. His vitals are: BP 145/88 mmHg, HR 92 bpm, RR 20/min, SpO₂ 97% on room air. The 12-lead ECG shows normal sinus rhythm with no ST-segment elevations or depressions. Initial troponin levels are within normal limits.
Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?
A. Discharge the patient home with instructions to take aspirin if the pain returns.
B. Perform an exercise stress test with imaging to assess myocardial perfusion.
C. Administer thrombolytic therapy to prevent infarction.
D. Schedule an elective coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).
B. Perform an exercise stress test with imaging to assess myocardial perfusion.
Rationale: Since the patient’s ECG and initial cardiac biomarkers are negative, but he presents with chest pain suggestive of CAD, further risk stratification is needed. An exercise stress test with imaging helps evaluate for ischemia, especially if CAD is suspected. A thrombolytic (C) is not indicated as there is no evidence of an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). CABG (D) is not immediately necessary without confirmation of significant coronary artery disease. Discharging the patient (A) without further evaluation would be inappropriate.
A 65-year-old female with a past medical history of diabetes mellitus and obesity presents to her primary care provider for evaluation of chest discomfort that occurs with exertion and resolves with rest. A 12-lead ECG at rest is normal. The provider orders laboratory tests.
Which laboratory tests would be most appropriate for assessing her risk of coronary artery disease? Select all that apply.
A. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP)
B. Serum troponin
C. Lipid profile
D. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)
E. Hemoglobin A1C
A. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP)
C. Lipid profile
E. Hemoglobin A1C
Rationale: High-sensitivity CRP (A) is an inflammatory marker that can indicate an increased risk for CAD. A lipid profile (C) is essential for evaluating cholesterol levels, which contribute to atherosclerosis. Hemoglobin A1C (E) assesses long-term glucose control, as diabetes is a significant risk factor for CAD. Serum troponin (B) is used to diagnose acute coronary syndrome rather than assess long-term CAD risk. BNP (D) is primarily used to evaluate heart failure rather than CAD risk.
A 54-year-old male undergoes an exercise stress test with echocardiography due to exertional chest pain. During the test, he develops ST-segment depressions and wall motion abnormalities on echocardiography.
What do these findings indicate?
A. Normal stress test results
B. Pulmonary hypertension
C. Right ventricular hypertrophy
D. Evidence of coronary artery disease
D. Evidence of coronary artery disease
Rationale: ST-segment depressions and wall motion abnormalities during an exercise stress test indicate myocardial ischemia, suggestive of CAD. Normal test results (A) would show no ECG changes and normal wall motion. Pulmonary hypertension (C) is not typically diagnosed with a stress test. Right ventricular hypertrophy (D) is usually diagnosed with ECG or echocardiography but is not the primary concern in this case.
A 60-year-old female with stable angina undergoes a pharmacologic stress test with nuclear imaging, which reveals a perfusion defect in the left anterior descending artery territory.
Which diagnostic test should be performed next?
A. Repeat stress test in six months
B. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA)
C. Coronary angiography
D. Cardiac MRI
C. Coronary angiography
Rationale: Coronary angiography is the gold standard for assessing the severity of coronary artery stenosis after an abnormal stress test. A CCTA (B) is less definitive than angiography. Repeating a stress test in six months (A) is inappropriate given the current findings. Cardiac MRI (D) is used for structural heart disease evaluation but is not the next step here.
A 59-year-old male presents to the ED with chest pain that started 3 hours ago. His ECG shows no ST-segment elevation. His initial troponin is 0.03 ng/mL (normal < 0.04 ng/mL).
What is the best next step?
A. Discharge the patient if symptoms improve.
B. Repeat the troponin in 3-6 hours.
C. Perform an emergency coronary angiography.
D. Administer thrombolytic therapy.
B. Repeat the troponin in 3-6 hours.
Rationale: Troponin levels may not be elevated early in myocardial injury. Serial testing at 3-6 hour intervals is required for accurate diagnosis. Discharging the patient (A) without serial markers is inappropriate. Emergency angiography (C) is reserved for high-risk cases. Thrombolytic therapy (D) is indicated for STEMI, not for suspected NSTEMI with negative initial biomarkers.
A patient with suspected CAD undergoes a chest x-ray, which reveals pulmonary congestion and aortic calcifications.
What do these findings suggest?
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Left ventricular dysfunction
C. Normal age-related changes
D. Mitral valve stenosis
B. Left ventricular dysfunction
Rationale: Pulmonary congestion suggests increased left-sided heart pressures, which can occur with CAD and left ventricular dysfunction. Pulmonary embolism (A) is more likely to present with clear lung fields unless severe. Aortic calcifications can be age-related (C) but are also associated with CAD. Mitral stenosis (D) can cause pulmonary congestion but is not the most likely finding in CAD.
A patient with severe osteoarthritis is unable to perform a treadmill stress test.
Which alternative diagnostic test is most appropriate?
A. Dobutamine stress echocardiography
B. Repeat ECG in 24 hours
C. Exercise stress test with imaging
D. Right heart catheterization
A. Dobutamine stress echocardiography
Rationale: Dobutamine stress echocardiography mimics exercise by increasing heart rate and myocardial oxygen demand. A repeat ECG (B) does not provide functional data. An exercise test (C) is not feasible due to physical limitations. Right heart catheterization (D) is used for pulmonary hypertension and heart failure assessment, not for diagnosing CAD.
A nuclear stress test shows abnormal findings. Which level of coronary blockage is most likely present? (SATA)
A. 30% stenosis in the right coronary artery
B. 50% stenosis in the left main coronary artery
C. 60% stenosis in a small branch artery
D. 70% stenosis in the right coronary artery
B. 50% stenosis in the left main coronary artery
D. 70% stenosis in the right coronary artery
Rationale: A stress test with imaging is typically abnormal when a patient has ≥50% stenosis in the left main coronary artery or ≥70% stenosis in other coronary vessels. A 30% stenosis (A) or 60% stenosis in a small branch (C) is usually not significant enough to cause ischemia on a stress test.
A 58-year-old male with a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia presents with increasing exertional angina. His ECG shows ST-segment depression and T-wave inversion in leads II, III, and aVF. His cardiac biomarkers are negative. A stress test reveals ischemic changes. The cardiologist recommends cardiac catheterization.
Which of the following findings would indicate the need for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) during catheterization?
A. A normal coronary angiogram with no obstructive lesions
B. A coronary blockage of 30% in the right coronary artery
C. A 75% blockage in the left anterior descending artery with reduced perfusion
D. Normal stress echocardiography with no regional wall motion abnormalities
C. A 75% blockage in the left anterior descending artery with reduced perfusion
Rationale: A ≥70% blockage in a major coronary artery (or ≥50% in the left main coronary artery) with evidence of ischemia is an indication for PCI. This level of obstruction significantly impairs blood flow and increases the risk of myocardial infarction.
A patient undergoes a PCI with drug-eluting stent (DES) placement. The nurse is providing discharge teaching. Which of the following statements should be included in patient education?
Select all that apply.
A. “You will need to take dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for at least 12 months.”
B. “Aspirin therapy should be continued indefinitely.”
C. “If you develop chest pain, ignore it as it is common after PCI.”
D. “You should report any signs of bleeding, such as black stools or easy bruising.”
E. “You will not require follow-up appointments as PCI completely fixes coronary artery disease.”
A. “You will need to take dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for at least 12 months.”
B. “Aspirin therapy should be continued indefinitely.”
D. “You should report any signs of bleeding, such as black stools or easy bruising.”
Rationale:
* DAPT is required for at least 12 months to prevent thrombosis after a DES.
* Aspirin is continued indefinitely for secondary prevention of CAD.
* Patients on DAPT are at increased risk for bleeding, so reporting signs of bleeding is essential.
A patient develops hypotension, tachycardia, and severe back pain 2 hours after femoral artery PCI. Which complication does the nurse suspect?
A. Acute stent thrombosis
B. Retroperitoneal hemorrhage
C. Coronary artery spasm
D. Contrast-induced nephropathy
B. Retroperitoneal hemorrhage
Rationale: Retroperitoneal hemorrhage is a serious vascular complication of femoral artery PCI. Blood accumulates in the retroperitoneal space, leading to hypotension, tachycardia, severe back or flank pain, and possible anemia.
A 67-year-old patient with diabetes undergoes cardiac catheterization, revealing 3-vessel CAD with 80% stenosis in the left main coronary artery. What is the most appropriate next step?
A. Proceed with PCI and place multiple drug-eluting stents
B. Manage with optimal medical therapy and lifestyle modifications
C. Discharge the patient with instructions for an exercise stress test
D. Schedule the patient for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery
D. Schedule the patient for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery
Rationale: CABG is the preferred revascularization strategy for left main CAD and multi-vessel disease, especially in diabetic patients. It improves long-term survival and reduces major cardiac events compared to PCI.
The nurse is monitoring a patient post-cardiac catheterization. Which complications should the nurse assess for? (SATA)
A. Coronary artery dissection
B. Contrast-induced nephropathy
C. Stroke
D. Pulmonary embolism
E. Infection
A. Coronary artery dissection
B. Contrast-induced nephropathy
C. Stroke
E. Infection
Rationale:
* Coronary artery dissection can lead to abrupt vessel closure and ischemia.
* Contrast-induced nephropathy is a risk due to nephrotoxic contrast dye.
* Stroke can occur from embolization of thrombi or air bubbles.
* Infection may develop at the catheter insertion site, requiring monitoring.
A patient who had PCI with a drug-eluting stent 6 hours ago suddenly develops crushing chest pain. The ECG shows ST-segment elevation. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Obtain a stat troponin level
B. Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
C. Notify the provider immediately
D. Encourage deep breathing exercises
C. Notify the provider immediately
Rationale: Acute stent thrombosis is a medical emergency that can cause an MI within hours of PCI. Immediate intervention, such as emergency repeat PCI or CABG, is required to restore perfusion.
A 72-year-old male with a history of peripheral artery disease and chronic kidney disease is scheduled for PCI. Which pre-procedure intervention is most important?
A. Administer IV contrast dye before the procedure
B. Encourage increased oral fluid intake before the procedure
C. Ensure the patient is on NPO status for at least 12 hours
D. Pre-medicate with acetylcysteine and IV hydration
D. Pre-medicate with acetylcysteine and IV hydration
Rationale: Patients with chronic kidney disease are at high risk for contrast-induced nephropathy. Acetylcysteine and IV hydration help protect renal function by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing dye excretion.
The nurse is reviewing the medications used in PCI. Which drugs are commonly used to prevent stent thrombosis and complications? (SATA)
A. Unfractionated heparin
B. Clopidogrel
C. Metoprolol
D. Eptifibatide
E. Atorvastatin
A. Unfractionated heparin
B. Clopidogrel
D. Eptifibatide
Rationale:
* Unfractionated heparin (UH) prevents clot formation during PCI.
* Clopidogrel (Plavix) is part of DAPT to prevent in-stent thrombosis.
* Eptifibatide (Integrilin) is a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor that inhibits platelet aggregation, reducing clot risk during PCI.
A patient with a bare-metal stent (BMS) placed two months ago presents with exertional chest pain. Which of the following is the most likely cause of their symptoms?
A. In-stent restenosis
B. Acute stent thrombosis
C. Coronary artery dissection
D. Aortic aneurysm
A. In-stent restenosis
Rationale: Bare-metal stents (BMS) have a higher risk of in-stent restenosis (ISR) due to neointimal hyperplasia. ISR typically occurs within a few months to a year after stent placement and presents as recurrent angina.
PCI may not be feasible for certain patients. Which conditions would likely exclude a patient from undergoing PCI?
Select all that apply.
A. Significant left main coronary artery disease
B. Triple-vessel coronary artery disease
C. A 50% blockage in the right coronary artery
D. Prior history of stroke
E. Uncontrolled diabetes with chronic kidney disease
A. Significant left main coronary artery disease
B. Triple-vessel coronary artery disease
E. Uncontrolled diabetes with chronic kidney disease
Rationale:
* Significant left main coronary artery disease and triple-vessel disease are best treated with CABG, not PCI.
* Patients with uncontrolled diabetes and CKD often have diffuse coronary disease, making PCI less effective than CABG.
A nurse is monitoring a patient in the cardiac ICU immediately after PCI. Which of the following ECG changes would be most concerning?
A. Premature atrial contractions (PACs) in leads corresponding to the treated vessel
B. Occasional sinus bradycardia in leads corresponding to the treated vessel
C. ST-segment elevation in leads corresponding to the treated vessel
D. Sinus tachycardia at 100 bpm in leads corresponding to the treated vessel
C. ST-segment elevation in leads corresponding to the treated vessel
Rationale: ST-segment elevation after PCI suggests acute stent thrombosis or abrupt vessel closure, which can lead to MI. This is an emergency requiring immediate intervention.
A patient asks how to prevent further heart problems after having PCI with stent placement. What should the nurse include in teaching?
Select all that apply.
A. Take all prescribed medications, including dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT).
B. Follow a heart-healthy diet and exercise regularly.
C. Stop taking aspirin once symptoms resolve.
D. Manage risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes.
E. Avoid all physical activity for at least six months.
A. Take all prescribed medications, including dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT).
B. Follow a heart-healthy diet and exercise regularly.
D. Manage risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes.
Rationale:
* Adhering to DAPT therapy prevents stent thrombosis.
* Lifestyle modifications help prevent further plaque buildup.
* Managing underlying risk factors (e.g., hypertension, diabetes) reduces progression of CAD.
A 60-year-old patient who underwent PCI via the femoral artery 4 hours ago suddenly develops severe groin pain, swelling at the puncture site, and a drop in blood pressure. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
A. Elevate the affected leg and reassess in 15 minutes
B. Apply firm pressure to the femoral site and notify the provider
C. Administer IV fluids and continue to monitor
D. Place the patient in high Fowler’s position to reduce discomfort
B. Apply firm pressure to the femoral site and notify the provider
Rationale: A rapidly developing hematoma with hypotension suggests arterial bleeding, requiring immediate pressure application to prevent further hemorrhage.
A patient with chronic kidney disease underwent cardiac catheterization. Which of the following would indicate the development of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN)?
A. Increased urine output
B. Serum creatinine increase of 0.5 mg/dL within 48 hours
C. A sudden increase in blood pressure
D. A decreased respiratory rate
B. Serum creatinine increase of 0.5 mg/dL within 48 hours
Rationale: CIN is diagnosed when there is an acute rise in serum creatinine following contrast exposure, indicating renal impairment.
Which nursing interventions should be implemented immediately after a PCI procedure?
Select all that apply.
A. Monitor for chest pain and ECG changes
B. Check vital signs and peripheral pulses frequently
C. Encourage early ambulation within the first hour post-procedure
D. Assess for signs of bleeding at the catheter insertion site
E. Instruct the patient to hold their breath when moving to prevent bleeding
A. Monitor for chest pain and ECG changes
B. Check vital signs and peripheral pulses frequently
D. Assess for signs of bleeding at the catheter insertion site
Rationale:
* Monitoring for chest pain and ECG changes helps detect complications such as stent thrombosis.
* Frequent vital signs and pulse checks detect bleeding and hemodynamic instability.
* Assessing the catheter site helps identify hematoma or retroperitoneal bleeding early.
A patient with chronic stable angina is being evaluated for coronary revascularization. Which of the following conditions would make CABG the preferred intervention over PCI?
A. A single-vessel blockage in the right coronary artery
B. Left main coronary artery disease
C. Mild chest pain relieved by nitroglycerin
D. A 40% stenosis in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery
B. Left main coronary artery disease
Rationale: CABG is the preferred treatment for significant left main coronary artery disease or triple-vessel disease, as PCI is often not feasible in these cases.