RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2023
Medical & Surgical Nursing
Easy

Troponin I test is advised for -

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2023

Explanation

  • Troponin I is a contractile protein found specifically in cardiac muscle.
  • Following myocardial injury (heart attack), cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is released into the bloodstream.
  • Blood levels of cTnI begin to rise within 4-6 hours of symptom onset, peak around 14-24 hours, and remain elevated for 7-10 days.
  • This high specificity and early release make it the preferred biomarker for the early diagnosis of myocardial infarction.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: Liver cirrhosis is a disease of the liver. Its diagnosis relies on liver function tests (LFTs) like ALT, AST, and bilirubin, which measure liver cell damage and function, not cardiac muscle injury.
  • Option C: Cervical cancer is diagnosed through cytological screening (Pap smear) and HPV testing, which detect abnormal cells or the virus that causes them in the cervix. Troponin is unrelated to this pathology.
  • Option D: Renal (kidney) failure is assessed by measuring substances that the kidneys are supposed to clear from the blood, such as creatinine and urea (BUN), and by estimating the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Troponin levels are not a primary marker for kidney function.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Diagnostic use of cardiac biomarkers, specifically Troponin I as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • A nurse's primary role is to promptly collect blood samples for troponin testing in any patient presenting with chest pain or other symptoms suggestive of an acute coronary syndrome.
  • It is crucial to note the exact time of sample collection and symptom onset, as serial troponin measurements (e.g., at 0, 3, and 6 hours) are essential to observe a rising trend, which confirms an acute MI.
  • An elevated troponin level is a critical finding that requires immediate reporting to the physician and initiation of the hospital's MI protocol, which may include oxygen, nitrates, aspirin, and preparation for reperfusion therapy.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, identify the key term in the question stem: 'Troponin I test'.
  • Recall the primary clinical use of Troponin I. It is known as a 'cardiac marker'.
  • Scan the options to find the one related to a cardiac (heart) condition.
  • Option A (liver), C (cervical cancer), and D (renal failure) are related to other organ systems.
  • Option B, 'myocardial infarction', is a heart attack. This directly aligns with the function of Troponin I as a cardiac biomarker.
  • Therefore, select the option that links the specific test to the correct organ system and pathology.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Diagnostic use of cardiac biomarkers, specifically Troponin I.
  • Stem keywords: Troponin I test
  • Lead-in keywords: advised for

Question ID

QA9pXUERQo55MmNehE18rB

Reference Book

E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 49-51

E6 Textbook of Biochemistry for medical StudentsDM Vasudevan Part 1 (pp 26-370 of 370) p. 258-260

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 2 p. 20-22

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Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.