CLS Cardiovascular Risk Assessment & Management 2

Question 1

A 58-year-old man has a 10-year ASCVD risk of 9.8% calculated by the Pooled Cohort Equations. Which category does this place him in?

Accepted Answer

Intermediate risk (7.5% to <20%)

Answer

A 10-year ASCVD risk of 7.5% to <20% is classified as intermediate risk per the 2018 AHA/ACC cholesterol guidelines.

Question 2

Which of the following is considered a 'risk-enhancing factor' that may favor initiating statin therapy in a borderline-risk patient?

Accepted Answer

Family history of premature ASCVD in a first-degree relative before age 55 (men) or 65 (women)

Answer

Family history of premature ASCVD is one of the ACC/AHA risk-enhancing factors that can tip the risk-benefit discussion toward statin initiation.

Question 3

The coronary artery calcium (CAC) score is best used in clinical practice to:

Accepted Answer

Reclassify patients in uncertain risk strata to guide statin decisions

Answer

CAC scoring is most valuable for reclassifying patients in borderline or intermediate risk categories when statin benefit is uncertain.

Question 4

A patient with diabetes mellitus aged 40–75 years and LDL-C 70–189 mg/dL but no other major risk factors should receive which statin intensity?

Accepted Answer

Moderate-intensity statin

Answer

Per 2018 ACC/AHA guidelines, diabetic patients aged 40–75 with LDL-C 70–189 mg/dL qualify for at least moderate-intensity statin therapy.

Question 5

Which lipoprotein particle has the strongest independent association with residual cardiovascular risk after LDL-C is controlled?

Accepted Answer

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]

Answer

Lp(a) is a genetically determined, causal risk factor for ASCVD that remains elevated despite statin therapy and LDL-C lowering.

(CLS) Clinical Lipid Specialist Certification Practice Test