AACN CCRN-Adult Exam - Topic 2 Question 5 Discussion

Actual exam question for AACN's CCRN-Adult exam

Question #: 5
Topic #: 2

[All CCRN-Adult Questions]

A patient with an acute anterior wall MI presents with an S3 gallop and the following values:

Which drug therapy would be most appropriate for this patient?

Avasodilators and positive inotropes

Bvasopressors and beta-blockers

Cvasodilators and diuretics

Dvasopressors and calcium-channel blockers

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: C

In the setting of an acute anterior wall myocardial infarction (MI) with an S3 gallop, the patient is likely experiencing heart failure and possibly acute pulmonary edema. The appropriate treatment includes vasodilators to reduce afterload and diuretics to decrease preload and pulmonary congestion. This combination helps to improve cardiac output and reduce the workload on the heart. Reference: CCRN Exam Handbook, AACN, page 20, section on Cardiovascular.

by Timothy at Mar 06, 2025, 05:11 PM

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Emilio

3 months ago

I was surprised to see A as the answer, thought it would be more complex!

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Mee

3 months ago

Wait, are we sure about A? What if the patient can't tolerate inotropes?

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Lynelle

3 months ago

Agreed, A is the best choice for managing heart failure symptoms.

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Derick

4 months ago

I think C could work too, but not as effective.

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Cordell

4 months ago

Definitely A, vasodilators and positive inotropes are key here.

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Rolande

4 months ago

I’m leaning towards vasodilators and diuretics, but I’m worried about the patient's hemodynamics.

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Hyman

4 months ago

This question feels familiar; I think we had a similar one about managing heart failure after an MI.

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Alpha

4 months ago

I’m not entirely sure, but I think vasodilators might help reduce preload in this case.

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Azalee

5 months ago

I remember studying that S3 gallops can indicate heart failure, so maybe we should consider positive inotropes?

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Lashunda

5 months ago

I'm leaning towards option A - vasodilators and positive inotropes. The S3 gallop suggests the heart is struggling to pump effectively, so we need something to boost contractility while also reducing afterload. Vasodilators and inotropes seem like the best approach here.

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Frankie

5 months ago

Okay, let's think this through step-by-step. The patient has an acute anterior wall MI, which means the left ventricle is likely affected. The S3 gallop and lab values indicate impaired cardiac function. So we need a therapy that will support the heart without increasing myocardial oxygen demand. I'd go with option C - vasodilators and diuretics.

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Naomi

5 months ago

Hmm, I'm a bit confused here. The patient has an acute MI, but the question is asking about drug therapy. I'm not sure if I should focus more on the MI or the heart failure presentation. Maybe I should review my notes on post-MI management.

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Leatha

5 months ago

This looks like a classic case of acute heart failure following an MI. The S3 gallop and the lab values indicate left ventricular dysfunction, so I'd go with option A - vasodilators and positive inotropes to improve cardiac output.

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Malika

11 months ago

I think vasopressors and calcium-channel blockers might be the best option here.

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Catalina

11 months ago

I would go with vasodilators and diuretics, considering the patient's condition.

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Jennifer

11 months ago

I disagree, I believe vasopressors and beta-blockers would be more suitable.

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Kristeen

11 months ago

I think the most appropriate drug therapy would be vasodilators and positive inotropes.

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Von

11 months ago

Haha, this is like a classic CCRN question! I'm going with C too. Gotta love those diuretics and vasodilators.

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Viola

11 months ago

I was debating between A and C, but I'm going with C as well. Vasodilators to reduce afterload and diuretics to reduce preload seem like the most appropriate approach for this patient.

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Junita

11 months ago

C is definitely the way to go. It will help improve the patient's condition.

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Lorean

11 months ago

I agree, reducing afterload with vasodilators and preload with diuretics seems like the right choice.

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Lauran

11 months ago

I think C is the best option too. Vasodilators and diuretics make sense for this patient.

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Nu

12 months ago

Hmm, I think C) vasodilators and diuretics would be the best choice here. The S3 gallop indicates heart failure, so we need to focus on reducing preload and afterload.

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Nettie

11 months ago

Vasopressors and calcium-channel blockers could also help improve cardiac function in this case.

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Lili

11 months ago

I think vasodilators and diuretics would be better to address the underlying heart failure.

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Dulce

11 months ago

Wouldn't vasopressors and beta-blockers be more appropriate to improve cardiac output?

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Francesco

11 months ago

I agree, C) vasodilators and diuretics would help reduce the workload on the heart.

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