Coronary Artery Disease

Question 1

What is CAD?

Answer 1

A heart condition that occurs when the coronary arteries narrow, preventing the heart from getting blood, oxygen and nutrients.

Question 2

What information is relevant to the client’s condition?

Answer 2

History of CAD, MI, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, smoking, obesity

Current symptoms: Chest pain, shortness of breath, diaphoresis, nausea

Vital signs: Elevated BP, tachycardia, irregular pulse

EKG findings: ST elevation (STEMI) or T-wave inversion (NSTEMI)

Medications: Aspirin, beta-blockers, statins, nitroglycerin

Question 3

What lab finding(s) are most significant and why?

Answer 3

Troponin (Elevated) → Indicates myocardial injury

CK-MB (Elevated) → Confirms cardiac muscle damage

BNP (Elevated) → Suggests heart failure

Lipid Panel (High LDL, Low HDL) → Confirms hyperlipidemia, a risk factor for CAD

D-dimer (If elevated) → Rules out PE if chest pain cause is uncertain

Electrolytes (K+, Na+, Mg2+) → Important for heart function and rhythm stability

Question 4

List 3 nursing problems for this client (actual or risk for) in order of priority.

Answer 4

Acute Pain r/t myocardial ischemia (Priority: Relieve chest pain ASAP)

Decreased Cardiac Output r/t impaired myocardial contractility

Risk for Bleeding r/t anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy

Question 5

What information should be included in the discharge education for this patient?

Answer 5

Medication adherence (Aspirin, Beta-blockers, Statins, Nitroglycerin, Anticoagulants)

Lifestyle changes (Diet low in saturated fats, regular exercise, smoking cessation)

When to seek emergency help (Chest pain that doesn’t go away with nitro, SOB, dizziness)

How to use Nitroglycerin (Take 1 tab every 5 min, max 3 doses—call 911 if pain persists)

Blood pressure & cholesterol monitoring

Cardiac rehab referral