Question

The floor nurse is reviewing the results of diagnostic tests of a patient who is being moved out of the intensive care unit to their floor. A cardiac troponin T level assay was performed while the patient was in the intensive care unit, which indicated high levels of serum troponin. What diagnosis would this be most likely?
Group of answer choices

Atrioventricular block

Angina

Transient cardiac ischemia

Acute myocardial infarction

Answer 1

The presence of high levels of cardiac troponin T in a patient generally indicates damage to the heart muscle. Among the options listed, the most likely diagnosis associated with elevated cardiac troponin levels is **Acute myocardial infarction**.

While angina can be caused by transient ischemia without permanent damage, it typically does not result in elevated troponin levels unless it progresses to myocardial infarction. Atrioventricular block and transient cardiac ischemia are not typically directly associated with elevated cardiac troponin levels either.

Therefore, the best diagnosis in this context is:

**Acute myocardial infarction**.