Hippo Urgent Care Bootcamp Practice Test

What EKG findings indicate possible STEMI requiring emergent care?

ST-segment elevation in at least two contiguous leads New stable Q waves without symptoms Isolated T-wave inversion Normal EKG with chest pain

Correct Answer:

ST-segment elevation in at least two contiguous leads

Explanation:

ST-segment elevation in two or more contiguous leads signals acute transmural injury from a coronary occlusion, which is the hallmark of STEMI and requires urgent reperfusion. The elevation reflects current of injury across a regional area of the heart, so leads that look at the same area (contiguous) will all show elevated ST segments. This is why it’s the best answer: it directly indicates an ongoing, life-threatening myocardial infarction needing emergent care. Other patterns don’t indicate an acute STEMI in the same way. New Q waves without symptoms suggest a prior infarct. Isolated T-wave inversion can occur with ischemia or repolarization changes but isn’t diagnostic of STEMI. A normal EKG with chest pain does not point to STEMI.

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