Acute Coronary Syndrome: An Overview for Nurses
Course Overview
The pace at which guidelines for acute coronary syndrome are updated make it challenging for clinicians to remain current with the recommendations that lead to improved outcomes for this substantial patient population. The purpose of this course is to reduce the widening gap between care according to guidelines and actual care delivered by providing nurses with knowledge necessary to implement the most appropriate approach to diagnosis and treatment.
Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:
- Explain the pathophysiology of ACS, including the role of plaque formation and rupture.
- Discuss risk factors and key aspects of screening for atherosclerotic plaque and coronary heart disease (CHD).
- Describe components of triaging patients with suspected ACS.
- Identify key elements that should be included in the history and physical examination of patients with suspected ACS, including the role of stress tests.
- List key elements to include in chest pain assessment for a patient with possible ACS.
- Outline the role of 12-lead ECG and cardiac biomarkers in the diagnosis and risk stratification of ACS.
- Review key recommendations for the medical and nursing management of patients with UA/NSTEMI, including initial treatment, early inpatient care, and recommended pharmacotherapy.
- Describe ischemia-guided and invasive strategies related to the management of patients with UA/NSTEMI.
- Discuss key components of medical and nursing management of patients with variant angina and cocaine-induced ACS.
- Explain the role of PCI in the management of STEMI, including the issues of timing, stent selection, supporting pharmacologic therapy, risks, and possible complications.
- Outline the use of fibrinolytic therapy as a reperfusion therapy in the management of STEMI, including the issues of indications, contraindications, supporting pharmacologic therapy, and risks.
- List key measures used to prevent reocclusion in coronary circulation following reperfusion with PCI or fibrinolytic therapy.
- Discuss the role of smoking cessation in reducing the risk of recurrent ACS and tools for helping patients quit smoking.
- Describe other measures patients may take to reduce risk of recurrent ACS and ongoing CHD from hypertension, dyslipidemia, and other modifiable risk factors.
- Explain factors that impact a patient’s adherence to prescribed therapy and measures to reduce risk of recurrent coronary disease.
About the Author/Presenter
Karen Majorowicz, RN, is currently employed in the Cardiac Intermediate Care Unit at Shands Healthcare at the University of Florida, Gainesville. She received her Master's in Medical-Surgical Nursing in 1978 from the University of Maryland. Karen has created numerous instructional manuals on Medicare and has conducted educational programs on cardiovascular assessment.
Audience/Accreditations and Approvals
TRC Healthcare/ NetCE
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by TRC Healthcare/ NetCE. TRC Healthcare/NetCE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details):
Nursing
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