NUR390 Acute Coronary Syndrome Case Study with Complete Solution |Latest Update 2026 | Graded A+

NUR390 Nursing Care of the Adult 1
Acute Coronary Syndrome Case Study


Acute Coronary Syndrome Case Study
MP is a 58-year-old male who arrives in the emergency department (ED) complaining of severe,
immobilizing chest pain radiating down his left arm. He is sweating and appears weak. He states the pain
woke him up from sleep. He states that 6 months ago after he had a stent placed in his heart artery. His
vital signs are: HR 115; BP: 90/50; RR: 24; Temp: 100.2; 02 Sat: 94%. The ED physician suspects ACS.
Highlight all abnormal assessment data relevant to the case.

 What signs/symptoms lead the physician to suspect ACS?
o Severe chest pain radiated down to the patient’s left arm.
o Elevated HR with low BP
o Fever (temp over 100.2)
o Cold/clammy skin
o Decreased 02 Sats with tachypnea.
o (Harding et al., 2023)

 How will you assess this patient's pain?
o Pain would still be assessed through PQRST and a numerical pain scale of 0-10
with zero being no pain and ten being the worst pain they have felt in their life.
o (Harding et al., 2023)

 What other assessment abnormalities will the healthcare workers find if MP is
experiencing myocardial infarction?
o Unequal BP readings in upper extremities
o Anxiety/ Feeling of impending doom.
o Epigastric pain/ indigestion/ heartburn.
o Nausea/ Vomiting
o Syncope/ LOC
o Pericardial friction rub
o (Harding et al., 2023)

 What diagnostic studies will the RN anticipate for MP?
o 12- lead EKG
o Labs
 CBC
 BNP
 Troponin
 BMP
 Coagulant panel
 ABG’s
o Angiogram/ angioplasty
o (Harding et al., 2023)