Which immediate drug should be offered to a patient with suspected acute coronary syndrome unless contraindicated?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Aspirin 300 mg orally as a loading dose
- Step 1: Platelet aggregation on a ruptured plaque drives acute coronary syndrome. Step 2. Aspirin as a single loading dose of 300 mg is given as soon as possible, followed by further antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy. Answer: Aspirin 300 mg orally as a loading dose. Why not the others: Diltiazem is not a routine initial drug and may harm if there is left ventricular dysfunction. Warfarin has too slow an onset. Alteplase is not given without a confirmed ST-elevation indication.
Practise more Cardiovascular medicine.
Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test (MSRA-style single best answer) mock tests.
More Cardiovascular medicine questions
- A man has had 3 hours of crushing chest pain and the ECG shows ST elevation in leads V2 to V5. The nearest primary PCI centre can deliver tr…
- Which drug class has been shown to reduce mortality in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction?
- A 72-year-old woman with non-valvular atrial fibrillation has hypertension and type 2 diabetes but no other relevant history. What is her CH…
- A 48-year-old man has non-valvular atrial fibrillation and hypertension, and no other risk factors. Which statement reflects NICE guidance o…
- Which anticoagulant is the appropriate choice for stroke prevention in a patient with atrial fibrillation and a mechanical mitral valve?
- A man has new-onset atrial fibrillation of 5 hours' duration with a blood pressure of 70/40 mmHg and chest pain. What is the most appropriat…