nremt cardiac

What is the function of the right side of the heart?

Pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

What is the function of the left side of the heart?

Pumps oxygenated blood to the body.

What do coronary arteries supply?

Oxygenated blood to the heart muscle.

What is the heart's natural pacemaker?

Sinoatrial (SA) node.

What is the normal SA node rate?

60–100 beats/min.

What is cardiac output?

Heart rate multiplied by stroke volume.

What is perfusion?

Delivery of oxygenated blood to tissues.

What is systole?

The contraction phase of the heart.

What is diastole?

The relaxation and filling phase of the heart.

What is acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?

Sudden reduction in coronary blood flow causing myocardial ischemia or infarction.

What is angina pectoris?

Chest discomfort caused by temporary myocardial ischemia.

What is stable angina?

Predictable ischemic discomfort with exertion that improves with rest or prescribed medication.

What is unstable angina?

New, worsening, or rest-related ischemic discomfort without myocardial infarction.

What is a myocardial infarction (MI)?

Death of heart muscle due to prolonged inadequate blood supply.

What are classic MI symptoms?

Chest pressure, radiating pain, dyspnea, diaphoresis, and nausea.

Where can cardiac chest pain radiate?

Arm, jaw, neck, shoulder, or back.

Can an MI occur without chest pain?

Yes; dyspnea, nausea, weakness, or fatigue may predominate.

What is the first priority for suspected ACS?

Assess ABCs, identify instability, and arrange prompt transport and ALS.

What is the common EMT aspirin dose for suspected ACS?

324 mg chewed, often four 81-mg tablets, per protocol.

How does aspirin help in ACS?

Inhibits platelet aggregation and limits clot growth.

What are important aspirin contraindications?

True aspirin allergy or active significant bleeding.

What is the common nitroglycerin dose?

0.4 mg sublingually, per protocol.

How does nitroglycerin help?

Causes vasodilation, reducing cardiac workload and ischemic discomfort.

What must be checked before nitroglycerin?

Blood pressure, medication history, contraindications, and authorization.

Why avoid nitroglycerin after recent PDE-5 inhibitor use?

The combination can cause severe hypotension.

Should all ACS patients receive oxygen?

No; use oxygen for hypoxemia or other indications, per protocol.

What is congestive heart failure (CHF)?

Failure of the heart to pump or fill adequately, causing impaired circulation and often fluid congestion.

What commonly causes left-sided heart failure symptoms?

Pulmonary congestion or edema.

What are signs of pulmonary edema?

Severe dyspnea, crackles, hypoxemia, and sometimes pink frothy sputum.

What are signs of right-sided heart failure?

Peripheral edema, jugular venous distention, and systemic fluid congestion.

How should a breathing CHF patient usually be positioned?

Upright in a position of comfort, if tolerated.

What is CPAP used for?

To improve oxygenation and reduce work of breathing in selected patients.

When should CPAP generally be avoided?

Respiratory arrest, inability to protect airway, or significant hypotension.

What is cardiogenic shock?

Inadequate tissue perfusion due to failure of the heart's pumping function.

What are signs of cardiogenic shock?

Hypotension, weak pulses, altered mentation, cool clammy skin, and possible crackles.

What is a dysrhythmia?

An abnormal heart rhythm.

What is bradycardia in adults?

Heart rate below 60 beats/min.

What is tachycardia in adults?

Heart rate above 100 beats/min.

When is an abnormal heart rate especially concerning?

When accompanied by hypotension, altered mentation, chest discomfort, or poor perfusion.

What is ventricular fibrillation (VF)?

Chaotic ventricular electrical activity causing cardiac arrest.

What is pulseless ventricular tachycardia?

Rapid ventricular rhythm without an effective pulse.

Which cardiac arrest rhythms are shockable?

Ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia.

Which cardiac arrest rhythms are nonshockable?

Asystole and pulseless electrical activity (PEA).

What is PEA?

Organized electrical activity without a palpable pulse.

What is the adult CPR compression rate?

100–120 compressions per minute.

What is the adult CPR compression depth?

At least 2 inches (5 cm), avoiding more than 2.4 inches (6 cm).

What is the adult CPR ratio without an advanced airway?

30 compressions to 2 breaths.

What should an EMT do when an AED arrives?

Apply pads, follow prompts, clear for analysis and shock, then resume CPR immediately.

What is return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC)?

Restoration of effective spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest.

What should an EMT prioritize after ROSC?

Airway, appropriate oxygenation and ventilation, blood pressure, reassessment, and rapid transport.