NSTEMI is commonly associated with which ECG finding?

• A. ST elevation
• B. ST depression
• C. Q waves
• D. Tall T waves

Answer: (B)

NSTEMI reflects subendocardial ischemia, so the ECG most commonly shows ST-segment depression rather than elevation. The depressed ST segment indicates injury that is limited to the inner layer of the heart wall, which contrasts with STEMI, where full-thickness (transmural) injury produces ST elevation. Q waves indicate established scar from a past infarct and typically develop later, not during the acute NSTEMI event. Tall T waves aren’t the characteristic sign of NSTEMI and can occur in other conditions. So the typical ECG finding for NSTEMI is ST-segment depression (often with T-wave inversions as ischemia evolves).