Patient Care & Risk Management Flashcards
7 cards from real CCS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Care & Risk Management flashcards as text
A nurse asks a CCS about the correct technique for measuring ankle-brachial index (ABI). Which ABI value is diagnostic of peripheral arterial disease?
Answer: ABI ≤ 0.9
An ABI ≤0.9 is diagnostic of peripheral arterial disease, reflecting reduced arterial perfusion to the lower extremities.
Which medication class is the FIRST-LINE pharmacologic treatment for reducing LDL-C in patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease?
Answer: Statins
High-intensity statins are the cornerstone of LDL-C lowering therapy in patients with established ASCVD per ACC/AHA guidelines.
A patient recovering from percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stent placement is asking about dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). What is the minimum recommended DAPT duration for stable CAD treated with DES?
Answer: 6 months
Current ACC/AHA guidelines recommend at least 6 months of DAPT after DES placement in stable CAD to prevent stent thrombosis.
A 55-year-old male smoker with hypertension has no known CAD. His LDL is 145 mg/dL and 10-year ASCVD risk is 11%. A coronary artery calcium (CAC) score is obtained and is 0. How should this result influence statin therapy?
Answer: The CAC score of 0 favors withholding statin therapy and reassessing in 5–10 years
A CAC score of 0 identifies very low short-term risk and can appropriately support deferring statin initiation with reassessment, especially in intermediate-risk patients.
Which of the following is a CONTRAINDICATION to cardiac rehabilitation enrollment?
Answer: Unstable angina with rest symptoms within the past 48 hours
Unstable angina with recent rest symptoms is an absolute contraindication to cardiac rehabilitation until the condition is stabilized.
A post-CABG patient is being discharged. Which of the following is MOST important to assess for medication adherence in secondary prevention?
Answer: The patient's understanding of why each medication is necessary
Patient understanding of the rationale for each secondary prevention medication is the strongest predictor of long-term adherence.
A patient with chronic stable heart failure (HFrEF, LVEF 30%) develops symptomatic hypotension when ACE inhibitor dose is increased. What is the BEST next step?
Answer: Reduce the ACE inhibitor to the previously tolerated dose and reassess volume status
Symptomatic hypotension from ACE inhibitor up-titration in HFrEF is managed by returning to the last tolerated dose and evaluating for volume depletion.