Questions and Answers
What does ACS stand for? Provide a brief definition.
ACS stands for Acute Coronary Syndrome. It is a condition where blood supply to the heart muscle is suddenly blocked.
Which of the following are risk factors for Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)? (Select all that apply)
Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) can be a continuum from angina to Myocardial Infarction (MI).
True
What is the earliest marker of injury to cardiac or skeletal muscle commonly used in diagnosing ACS? Myo______.
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Study Notes
Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)
- ACS is a continuum from angina to Myocardial Infarction (MI), resulting from an imbalance of myocardial oxygen supply and demand.
- Blood supply to the heart muscle is suddenly blocked by a thrombus made of plaque, leading to ischemia and chest pain.
Angina
- Anginal pain: tight squeezing, heavy pressure, or constricting feeling in the chest that can radiate to the jaw, neck, or arm.
- Angina types:
- Stable (exertional) angina: occurs with exercise or emotional stress and is relieved by rest or nitroglycerin.
- Unstable (pre-infarction) angina: occurs at rest, increases in occurrence, severity, and duration over time.
- Variant (Prinzmetal’s) angina: due to coronary artery spasm, often occurring during periods of rest.
Myocardial Infarction (MI)
- STEMI: complete blockage, no blood flow, true infarction/tissue death (not reversible).
- NSTEMI: narrowing, some blood can be perfused, impaired O2, ischemia (reversible).
Risk Factors
- Male sex or post-menopausal clients
- Ethnic background
- Sedentary lifestyle and hypertension
- Tobacco use
- Hyperlipidemia and obesity
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Metabolic disorder (DM, hypothyroidism)
- Stress
- Atherosclerotic changes related to aging
Signs and Symptoms + Assessment
- Recognize cues:
- Palpitations
- Tachycardia and tachypnea/SOB
- Diaphoresis – pallor, cool, clammy skin
- Anxiety and nausea/vomiting – feeling of impending doom
- Angina = chest pain – substernal or precordial
- Decreased LOC
- Women may experience MI differently:
- Vague pain/GI symptoms
- Pain between shoulders
- Jaw ache
- Sensation of choking with exertion
ACS DX Procedures/Labs
- Priority intervention: 12-lead ECG
- ST depression and/or T-wave inversion = ischemic issues
- STEMI = rush to hospital
- NSTEMI = education
- After ECG: retrieve blood to look at cardiac enzymes
- Myoglobin:
- Earliest marker of injury to cardiac or skeletal muscle
- No longer evident after 24 hours
- Not cardiac-specific
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Description
This quiz covers cardiac and perfusion topics, including ACS, CABG, pacemakers, aneurysms, and lethal dysrhythmias. Test your knowledge on definitions, types, symptoms, labs, nursing care, medications, and treatment options.
