Coronary artery disease
Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.
Coronary artery disease
Also testable as: CAD, Atherosclerotic heart disease
Etiology / Pathophysiology
- Atherosclerotic plaque narrows coronary arteries and can rupture or thrombose.
- Reduced coronary blood flow causes myocardial ischemia; complete blockage can cause myocardial infarction.
Medications
| Class | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Antiplatelets | Reduces platelet aggregation risk in many CAD plans. |
| Nitrates | Used for angina symptom relief and preload reduction in selected clients. |
| Beta blockers | Can reduce myocardial oxygen demand when not contraindicated. |
| ACE inhibitors / ARBs | May support BP and cardiac remodeling management in selected plans. |
| Anticoagulants | Used in selected acute coronary syndrome or procedure pathways. |
Signs / symptoms
- May remain asymptomatic until a complication occurs.
- Exertional or stress-related chest pressure, squeezing, tightness, or burning.
- Discomfort that may spread to an arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, or back.
- Shortness of breath, particularly with activity.
- Symptoms that improve with rest and recur with exertion.
- An acute complication may cause diaphoresis, nausea, dizziness, or weakness.
Nursing actions
- Treat new chest pain as circulation priority: stop activity, assess pain, vitals, oxygenation, ECG pathway, and ordered medications.
- Ask about aspirin allergy, recent phosphodiesterase inhibitor use, hypotension, and anticoagulant/bleeding history before routine medication assumptions.
- Teach risk reduction: smoking cessation, BP/glucose/lipid control, activity plan, and when to call emergency services.
Complications
- Acute coronary syndrome
- Dysrhythmias
- Heart failure
- Cardiogenic shock
NCLEX cues
- Crushing chest pressure, diaphoresis, nausea, shortness of breath.
- Women, older adults, and diabetics may have atypical symptoms.
- Do not drive self with possible MI symptoms.
Memory hooks
- CAD is oxygen supply-demand mismatch until proven otherwise.
Labs / Diagnostics
- 12-lead ECG
- Troponin trends
- Lipid panel
- Cardiac catheterization
- Stress testing when stable
Review notes
- Supplemental wife-requested study card. Use for NCLEX review only and verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy.
Cross references
Related cards are generated from the shared study map, not hand-built per page.
Condition card for Coronary artery disease: recognize the testable cue, prevent the complication, and choose the safest first nursing action.
Narrowed coronary arteries reduce oxygen supply to the heart muscle.
Heart muscle injury from inadequate blood flow.
Heart attack pattern with ST elevation on ECG, often requiring rapid reperfusion pathway activation.
Reduces angiotensin effect so vessels relax and aldosterone-driven sodium and water retention decreases.
Reduces clot formation by interfering with the coagulation cascade.
Makes platelets less sticky so arterial clots are less likely to form.
Blocks beta stimulation so heart rate, contractility, and blood pressure can decrease.
Sources and evidence
- https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/coronary-heart-disease/symptomsSigns / symptoms