NUR 242 Exam 2: (Latest 2026/2027 Update) Cardiovascular Disorders,
MI, Heart Failure, Valvular Disease, Dysrhythmias | Q&A | Grade A |
100% Correct (Verified Answers)
Medical-Surgical Nursing | Cardiovascular System Review
SUBJECT COURSE FORMAT
Medical-Surgical Nursing / Cardiology NUR 242 Exam 2 Q&A with Rationales
Q1
What are the causes of acute myocardial infarction (MI)?
CORRECT ANSWER
CAD (hyperlipidemia), vasospasm (cocaine use), conditions that decrease oxygen supply to the heart such as HF,
septic shock, and diabetes
RATIONALE
• MI results from prolonged ischemia causing myocardial cell death (necrosis).
• The most common cause is atherosclerotic plaque rupture with thrombus formation.
Q2
What is the difference between stable angina and unstable angina?
CORRECT ANSWER
Stable angina: occurs with activity or stress, relieved by rest or nitroglycerin; Unstable angina: occurs at rest, not
relieved by nitroglycerin
RATIONALE
• Unstable angina is a medical emergency and indicates an increased risk of MI.
Q3
What cardiac marker is most specific for myocardial infarction?
CORRECT ANSWER
Troponin (elevated troponin is cardiac-specific; first may be negative, second is usually elevated, peaks around 24
hours post MI)
RATIONALE
• Troponin I and T are highly specific for myocardial injury.
• CK-MB is NOT cardiac-specific (can be elevated in rhabdomyolysis).
, Q4
What is the difference between STEMI and NSTEMI?
CORRECT ANSWER
STEMI: ST elevation on EKG WITH cardiac markers; NSTEMI: NO ST elevation WITH cardiac markers (may
have ST depression)
RATIONALE
• STEMI indicates complete coronary artery occlusion; NSTEMI indicates partial occlusion.
• Both require immediate intervention, but STEMI is more urgent.
Q5
What is door-to-balloon time for acute MI treatment?
CORRECT ANSWER
Time from hospital presentation to time occluded artery is opened; should be ≤ 90 minutes (ideal ≤ 30 minutes)
RATIONALE
• Time is muscle; shorter door-to-balloon time improves survival and reduces cardiac damage.
Q6
What is the treatment for acute MI/ACS (MONAH protocol)?
CORRECT ANSWER
Morphine (decreases preload), Oxygen, Aspirin/antiplatelets/Heparin, Nitroglycerin (vasodilator), Beta blockers,
ACE inhibitors, Antiarrythmics, Thrombolytics, CCB, Statins, Stool softeners
RATIONALE
• Morphine reduces preload and anxiety; nitroglycerin reduces preload and afterload.
• Beta blockers reduce myocardial oxygen demand; ACE inhibitors prevent remodeling.
Q7
What is the biggest risk for antiplatelet medications (aspirin, clopidogrel)?
CORRECT ANSWER
Risk for GI bleeding; watch for signs: fatigue, malaise, dark black tarry stools. Patients usually take this for only
ONE year following PCI.
RATIONALE
• GI bleeding can be life-threatening; monitor for melena, hematemesis, and drop in hemoglobin.
MI, Heart Failure, Valvular Disease, Dysrhythmias | Q&A | Grade A |
100% Correct (Verified Answers)
Medical-Surgical Nursing | Cardiovascular System Review
SUBJECT COURSE FORMAT
Medical-Surgical Nursing / Cardiology NUR 242 Exam 2 Q&A with Rationales
Q1
What are the causes of acute myocardial infarction (MI)?
CORRECT ANSWER
CAD (hyperlipidemia), vasospasm (cocaine use), conditions that decrease oxygen supply to the heart such as HF,
septic shock, and diabetes
RATIONALE
• MI results from prolonged ischemia causing myocardial cell death (necrosis).
• The most common cause is atherosclerotic plaque rupture with thrombus formation.
Q2
What is the difference between stable angina and unstable angina?
CORRECT ANSWER
Stable angina: occurs with activity or stress, relieved by rest or nitroglycerin; Unstable angina: occurs at rest, not
relieved by nitroglycerin
RATIONALE
• Unstable angina is a medical emergency and indicates an increased risk of MI.
Q3
What cardiac marker is most specific for myocardial infarction?
CORRECT ANSWER
Troponin (elevated troponin is cardiac-specific; first may be negative, second is usually elevated, peaks around 24
hours post MI)
RATIONALE
• Troponin I and T are highly specific for myocardial injury.
• CK-MB is NOT cardiac-specific (can be elevated in rhabdomyolysis).
, Q4
What is the difference between STEMI and NSTEMI?
CORRECT ANSWER
STEMI: ST elevation on EKG WITH cardiac markers; NSTEMI: NO ST elevation WITH cardiac markers (may
have ST depression)
RATIONALE
• STEMI indicates complete coronary artery occlusion; NSTEMI indicates partial occlusion.
• Both require immediate intervention, but STEMI is more urgent.
Q5
What is door-to-balloon time for acute MI treatment?
CORRECT ANSWER
Time from hospital presentation to time occluded artery is opened; should be ≤ 90 minutes (ideal ≤ 30 minutes)
RATIONALE
• Time is muscle; shorter door-to-balloon time improves survival and reduces cardiac damage.
Q6
What is the treatment for acute MI/ACS (MONAH protocol)?
CORRECT ANSWER
Morphine (decreases preload), Oxygen, Aspirin/antiplatelets/Heparin, Nitroglycerin (vasodilator), Beta blockers,
ACE inhibitors, Antiarrythmics, Thrombolytics, CCB, Statins, Stool softeners
RATIONALE
• Morphine reduces preload and anxiety; nitroglycerin reduces preload and afterload.
• Beta blockers reduce myocardial oxygen demand; ACE inhibitors prevent remodeling.
Q7
What is the biggest risk for antiplatelet medications (aspirin, clopidogrel)?
CORRECT ANSWER
Risk for GI bleeding; watch for signs: fatigue, malaise, dark black tarry stools. Patients usually take this for only
ONE year following PCI.
RATIONALE
• GI bleeding can be life-threatening; monitor for melena, hematemesis, and drop in hemoglobin.
