A 67-year-old male with a history of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, prior transient ischemic attack (TIA), and chronic kidney disease (creatinine 2.1 mg/dL) is scheduled for elective open colectomy. He has no known coronary artery disease or heart failure. According to the Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI), how many independent predictors of cardiac risk does this patient have?

The correct answer to the question "A 67-year-old male with a history of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, prior transient ischemic attack (TIA), and chronic kidney disease (creatinine 2.1 mg/dL) is scheduled for elective open colectomy. He has no known coronary artery disease or heart failure. According to the Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI), how many independent predictors of cardiac risk does this patient have?" is Option C: 3.

The other options — A) 1, B) 2, D) 4 — are incorrect for this USMLE Exam Prep question. As explained above: The RCRI includes six predictors: high-risk surgery, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, insulin-dependent diabetes, and preoperative creatinine >2.0 mg/dL. This patient h…