Deepak NSTEMI Case Study (SNR113US) | FULL Simulation
Answers, EKG, SBAR, Diagnosis & Management | Exam 2026-2027
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1. A 62-year-old male presents to the emergency department with
substernal chest pressure radiating to the left shoulder, diaphoresis,
and nausea for the past 3 hours. His initial high-sensitivity troponin I is
450 ng/L (upper reference limit <34 ng/L). The electrocardiogram
shows ST-segment depression of 1.5 mm in leads V4 through V6 and
lead I. Which type of myocardial infarction is this patient most likely
experiencing?
A) ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
B) Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)
C) Unstable angina
D) Coronary artery vasospasm
Answer: B
Explanation: The combination of chest discomfort, elevated cardiac
troponin above the 99th percentile upper reference limit, and ST-
segment depression on electrocardiogram without persistent ST-
segment elevation fulfills the Fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial
Infarction criteria for NSTEMI. ST-segment depression indicates
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subendocardial ischemia rather than transmural ischemia seen in
STEMI. Unstable angina would lack troponin elevation, and vasospasm
is a potential mechanism, not a distinct infarction classification.
2. According to the 2025 focused update of the American Heart
Association guidelines, what is the recommended door-to-needle time
goal for initiation of a P2Y12 inhibitor in high-risk NSTEMI patients
planned for an early invasive strategy?
A) Within 24 hours of admission
B) At the time of percutaneous coronary intervention
C) As soon as possible, ideally within 1 hour of presentation
D) Only after coronary angiography is completed
Answer: C
Explanation: Current guidelines emphasize rapid initiation of dual
antiplatelet therapy in patients with high-risk NSTEMI. The goal is to
administer a loading dose of a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor as soon as
possible after the diagnosis is confirmed, with a target of within 1 hour
of first medical contact, mirroring the urgency applied to STEMI care
when a very early invasive approach is planned.
3. A 70-year-old woman with diabetes and chronic kidney disease stage
3b is admitted with NSTEMI. Her creatinine clearance is calculated to be
25 mL/min. Which P2Y12 inhibitor requires dose adjustment in this
patient?
A) Clopidogrel
B) Prasugrel
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C) Ticagrelor
D) Cangrelor
Answer: C
Explanation: Although current labeling no longer contraindicates
ticagrelor in severe renal impairment, no dose adjustment is formally
recommended for prasugrel or ticagrelor in renal dysfunction alone.
However, of the agents listed, prasugrel requires a dose reduction to 5
mg daily in patients with low body weight, and clopidogrel has no renal
adjustment. Cangrelor is intravenous and renally cleared. Ticagrelor is
not primarily renally cleared and requires no dose adjustment for
chronic kidney disease, making the premise of this question focused on
prasugrel being contraindicated in patients with a history of stroke or
transient ischemic attack, but the renal function issue highlights that
ticagrelor is safe, while prasugrel is not recommended in patients aged
75 or older or with low body weight unless high-risk. This question tests
the nuance that cangrelor infusion requires adjustment for renal
impairment.
4. A 55-year-old male with NSTEMI is started on unfractionated heparin
infusion. His baseline activated partial thromboplastin time is 28
seconds. What is the target therapeutic range for aPTT in this context?
A) 35 to 45 seconds
B) 50 to 70 seconds
C) 80 to 100 seconds
D) 100 to 120 seconds
Answer: B
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Explanation: When using unfractionated heparin for NSTEMI, the
therapeutic goal is an aPTT that corresponds to an anti-factor Xa level
of 0.3 to 0.7 IU/mL. Based on standardized nomograms, this generally
equates to an aPTT range between 50 and 70 seconds, which
represents approximately 1.5 to 2.5 times the control value. Lower
ranges suggest subtherapeutic anticoagulation, while higher ranges
increase bleeding risk without additional ischemic benefit.
5. A patient with NSTEMI is scheduled for cardiac catheterization. He
has been receiving aspirin and ticagrelor. Pre-procedural laboratory
values show a platelet count of 50,000 per microliter, which is a new
finding. Which medication is most likely responsible?
A) Aspirin
B) Ticagrelor
C) Unfractionated heparin
D) Atorvastatin
Answer: C
Explanation: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a well-known
immune-mediated adverse effect of unfractionated heparin and, less
commonly, low-molecular-weight heparin. The typical onset is 5 to 10
days after exposure, though accelerated onset can occur with recent
previous heparin exposure. The dramatic drop in platelet count to a
level below 100,000 per microliter or a 50% reduction from baseline
should immediately raise suspicion for HIT, unlike the mild
thrombocytopenia sometimes seen with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors.