Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification Practice Exam 2026 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The correct answer is acute coronary syndrome. This term encompasses a range of conditions that arise from sudden reductions in blood flow to the heart, which is critical for its functioning. Unstable angina, STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction), and NSTEMI (Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) are all part of this spectrum, indicating varying degrees of myocardial ischemia.

Unstable angina is characterized by pain at rest or with minimal exertion and represents a critical condition that can precede a heart attack. STEMI involves a complete blockage of a coronary artery leading to significant damage to the heart muscle, while NSTEMI reflects partial blockage, causing less damage than STEMI but still indicating a severe issue. Recognizing these presentations as part of acute coronary syndrome is vital for timely intervention and treatment to restore blood flow and minimize heart damage.

The other options do not accurately represent the same range of conditions. Coronary artery disease, while related, refers specifically to the buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries, which can lead to acute coronary syndrome but does not include it directly. Heart failure is a separate condition often resulting from various forms of heart disease, including chronic coronary artery disease, but it is not part