Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) Practice Test

Which of the following statements is true regarding an aortic dissection?

1. It can present with severe chest pain

2. It always presents with EKG changes

3. Back pain is often relieved with nitroglycerin

4. It may present with abdominal pain

The correct answer is: It can present with severe chest pain

The statement about an aortic dissection presenting with severe chest pain is accurate. Aortic dissection typically involves a tear in the inner layer of the aortic wall, leading to a separation of the layers and creating false channels within the aorta. This condition often presents suddenly with intense, sharp, or "tearing" chest pain, which may radiate to the back or abdomen depending on the location of the tear. The sensation of pain can be so severe that it often leads patients to seek immediate medical assistance. The other statements do not accurately reflect the clinical presentation of aortic dissection. While EKG changes may occur, they are not always present and are not a defining characteristic of the condition. Additionally, back pain associated with an aortic dissection is typically not relieved by nitroglycerin, as this medication is more commonly used for ischemic chest pain (e.g., angina) rather than pain due to a dissection. Lastly, abdominal pain can occur in cases of distal aortic dissection or when the branches supplying the abdominal organs are affected, but it is not one of the primary symptoms that classically defines this condition.