Ch 20 EMT: Cardiac Emergencies

You must reassess your patient within two minutes after administering​ nitroglycerin, as one of the side effects​ is:

A. a sudden decrease in heart rate.

B. numbness and tingling in the extremities.

C. a decrease in blood pressure.

D. a brief feeling of shortness of breath.

C. a decrease in blood pressure.

Which term refers to a heart rate below 60 beats per​ minute?

A. Tachycardia

B. Dysrhythmia

C. Bradycardia

D. Agonal

C. Bradycardia

The primary job of the heart is​ to:

A. remove wastes from the blood.

B. store blood.

C. oxygenate the blood.

D. pump blood.

D. pump blood.

A​ 65-year-old male complains of chest pain that started about 45 minutes ago and is radiating up to his jaw. He feels nauseous and has very little energy. His vitals are respirations of​ 24, pulse of​ 110, and BP of​ 88/60. What would make you decide to transport this​ patient?

A. The low blood pressure reading

B. The lack of energy

C. The nausea

D. The elevated pulse

A. The low blood pressure reading

Chest pain due to angina or myocardial infarction involves a blockage in what part of the cardiovascular​ system?

A. The venules

B. The veins

C. The capillaries

D. The arteries

D. The arteries

Which of the following situations could contraindicate the administration of​ aspirin?

A. The patient is taking other medications.

B. There is no water available with which to take the pills.

C. The patient has a history of GI bleeding.

D. The patient is having a heart attack.

C. The patient has a history of GI bleeding.

Which of the following best describes the pain associated with acute coronary​ syndrome?

A. The pain is a pressure in the chest.

B. The pain is only a mild discomfort.

C. The pain will go away after a few hours.

D. The pain may be chest​ pressure, mild​ discomfort, or not present at all.

D. The pain may be chest​ pressure, mild​ discomfort, or not present at all.

In the mnemonic​ OPQRST, the​ "P" stands​ for:

A. provocation.

B. pallor.

C. perspiration.

D. pressure.

A. provocation.

Hypoperfusion refers​ to:

A. edema.

B. dyspnea.

C. shock.

D. hypertension.

C. shock.

Which of the following terms is used to represent any symptoms that are related to a lack of oxygen in the heart​ muscle?

A. Congestive heart failure

B. Angina pectoris

C. Acute coronary syndrome

D. Coronary artery disease

C. Acute coronary syndrome

The key difference between angina pectoris and a myocardial infarction is​ that:

A. the pain of angina pectoris usually goes away with rest.

B. the pain of myocardial infarction usually goes away on its own.

C. myocardial infarction is usually caused by stress.

D. angina pectoris typically occurs at rest.

A. the pain of angina pectoris usually goes away with rest.

An​ 80-year-old male is presenting with pedal​ edema, JVD, and dyspnea. You should​ suspect:

A. congestive heart failure.

B. pulmonary embolism.

C. dysrhythmia.

D. multi-system trauma.

A. congestive heart failure.

In the cardiac conductive​ system, specialized muscles and​ __________ cause the heart to contract.

A. electrical impulses

B. the major blood vessels

C. circulation between the heart and the lungs

D. blood pressure

A. electrical impulses

Which of the following is an expected side effect of​ aspirin?

A. Heartburn

B. Hypertension

C. Increased clotting

D. Fever

A. Heartburn

After administration of nitroglycerin to a patient with chest​ pain, which of the following is the side effect you most might expect to​ see?

A. The patient develops hypertension.

B. The patient becomes irritable.

C. The patient develops a headache.

D. The patient becomes dehydrated.

C. The patient develops a headache.

Which of the following is a contraindication for​ aspirin?

A. Liver disease

B. Cardiovascular disease

C. Having taken nitroglycerin

D. Inability to swallow without endangering airway

D. Inability to swallow without endangering airway

What is the dosage for aspirin given to treat acute coronary​ syndrome?

A. 81 mg of chewable baby aspirin

B. 40 mg of coated adult aspirin

C. 162-324 mg of chewable baby aspirin

D. 81 mg of coated adult aspirin

C. 162-324 mg of chewable baby aspirin

Which of the following refers to chest pain that occurs when blood supply to the heart is reduced and a portion of the heart muscle is not receiving enough​ oxygen?

A. Aneurysm

B. Angina pectoris

C. Hypertension

D. Acute myocardial infarction

B. Angina pectoris

Administer oxygen to your chest pain patient to maintain an oxygen saturation level​ of:

A. up to​ 94%.

B. at least​ 94%.

C. up to​ 100%.

D. at least​ 90%.

B. at least​ 94%.

Contraindications for the administration of nitroglycerin include a​ patient:

A. who is 22 years of age.

B. who is suffering from hypertension.

C. who has already taken one dose of nitroglycerin without relief.

D. who recently took Viagra.

D. who recently took Viagra.

The heart has no reserve of​ __________, so any interruption in its supply results in significant problems.

A. blood

B. oxygen

C. nutrients

D. carbon dioxide

B. oxygen

The pressure backup from the vena cava in​ right-sided congestive heart failure causes the sign​ of:

A. shortness of breath.

B. jugular vein distension.

C. tachypnea.

D. elevated blood pressure.

B. jugular vein distension.

Which of the following statements about infarction is​ correct?

A. Ischemic pain from infarction is never relieved by nitroglycerin or morphine.

B. The ischemic pain from infarction is the result of poor perfusion of the lungs as the heart falters.

C. Infarction is commonly the result of a totally occluded coronary blood vessel.

D. Infarction is typically the result of the​ patient's not taking prescribed cardiac medications.

C. Infarction is commonly the result of a totally occluded coronary blood vessel.

Which of the following statements about angina pectoris is​ true?

A. Angina pectoris is the leading cause of sudden death.

B. The symptoms of angina pectoris do not resolve on their own.

C. Pain from angina pectoris usually begins when the patient is at rest.

D. Rest or nitroglycerin usually relieves angina pectoris.

D. Rest or nitroglycerin usually relieves angina pectoris.

Which of the following refers to any condition in which the heart may not be getting enough​ oxygen?

A. Angina pectoris

B. Acute myocardial infarction

C. Acute coronary syndrome

D. Cardiac dysrhythmia

C. Acute coronary syndrome

A study into the effects of disease on blood composition would focus​ on:

A. systolic and diastolic pressures.

B. the peripheral and central pulses.

C. red and white blood​ cells, platelets, and plasma.

D. the​ arteries, veins,​ arterioles, venules, and capillaries.

C. red and white blood​ cells, platelets, and plasma.

An insufficient supply of oxygenated blood to an area of the body is​ called:

A. dyspnea.

B. ischemia.

C. embolism.

D. coronary artery disease.

B. ischemia.

One of the side effects of administering nitroglycerin to a cardiac patient could​ be:

A. a drop in blood pressure.

B. apnea.

C. hypertension.

D. chest pain.

A. a drop in blood pressure.

Conditions that narrow or block the arteries of the heart are​ called:

A. cardiac dysrhythmia.

B. coronary artery disease.

C. pulmonary edema.

D. pulmonary embolism.

B. coronary artery disease.

Your patient has a weakened section of the arterial wall that is ballooning. This is known as​ a(n):

A. embolism.

B. aneurysm.

C. thrombus.

D. occlusion.

B. aneurysm.

You suspect that your patient is experiencing acute coronary syndrome. Your hospital destination should be determined​ by:

A. the​ patient's insurance.

B. patient preference.

C. traffic conditions.

D. local protocols.

D. local protocols.

Which of the following is not a typical indication of congestive heart failure​ (CHF)?

A. Increased heart rate

B. Weight loss

C. Jugular venous distension

D. Productive cough

B. Weight loss

Which of the following statements regarding angina pectoris is true​?

A. It results in death of a smaller portion of myocardium than does a heart attack.

B. It is generally relieved by​ over-the-counter medications.

C. It generally lasts 30 to 60 minutes.

D. It can be brought on by exertion or stress.

D. It can be brought on by exertion or stress.

Which of the following is the result of a portion of the heart muscle dying due to a lack of​ oxygen?

A. Heart failure

B. Angina pectoris

C. Cardiac arrest

D. Myocardial infarction

D. Myocardial infarction

Which of the following terms refers to swelling of the lower extremities seen in many cardiac​ patients?

A. Presacral swelling

B. Crackles

C. Congestive heart failure

D. Pedal edema

D. Pedal edema

Which of the following is a general term used to refer to a problem with the​ heart?

A. Cardiac dysrhythmia

B. Cardiac compromise

C. Congestive heart failure

D. Myocardial infarction

B. Cardiac compromise

Which of the following is a condition that can result from fatty deposits forming in the inner lining of the​ arteries?

A. Coronary artery disease

B. Arteriosclerosis

C. Aneurysm

D. Coronary thrombosis

A. Coronary artery disease

Which of the following is the beneficial action of a beta blocker​ medication?

A. Slows the heart rate

B. Increases the amount of oxygen needed by the myocardium

C. Causes​ vasoconstriction, increasing the blood pressure

D. Increases the strength of myocardial contraction

A. Slows the heart rate

You respond to the scene of a​ 56-year-old obese female complaining of respiratory distress. She states that she has been feeling weak and a​ "little sick" for the past two​ days, but the respiratory distress has been getting progressively worse for the past several hours. She states she has​ "heart problems," suffers from high blood​ pressure, and takes a​ "water pill." She is afebrile and has coarse crackles bilaterally. What is most likely the cause of her respiratory​ distress?

A. Aortic aneurysm

B. Congestive heart failure

C. Dysrhythmia

D. Acute myocardial infarction

B. Congestive heart failure

You are​ on-scene with a​ 48-year-old unresponsive male patient. Bystanders state he complained of chest pain and then suddenly collapsed. Vital signs are blood pressure​ 68/42, pulse​ 36, and respiratory rate 3. He is unresponsive to painful stimuli. After performing the primary assessment and treating all life​ threats, what is your next​ intervention?

A. Administer​ high-concentration oxygen at 15 lpm by​ bag-valve mask.

B. Insert an oral airway.

C. Package the patient for rapid transport.

D. Apply the AED.

C. Package the patient for rapid transport.

Assuming your protocol allows the administration of nitroglycerin when certain conditions​ exist, what is the maximum number of tablets to be administered in the prehospital​ setting?

A. 1

B. 3

C. 4

D. 2

B. 3

You are treating a male patient with chest pain caused by the complete occlusion of one of the coronary arteries. What would you most likely expect with this​ patient?

A. His pain will go away with oxygen.

B. His pain will not be alleviated with any of the above medications.

C. His pain will be reduced with aspirin.

D. His pain will be alleviated with nitroglycerin.

B. His pain will not be alleviated with any of the above medications.

What stimulates a mechanical contraction of the cells of the​ heart, creating a mechanical squeeze used to push​ blood?

A. Electrical energy

B. Left and right atria

C. Right ventricle

D. Left ventricle

A. Electrical energy

Which of the following is the beneficial action of nitroglycerin in some cardiac​ emergencies?

A. It dilates only the coronary arteries.

B. It increases the strength with which the ventricles contract.

C. It slows down the heart.

D. It relaxes blood vessels throughout the body.

D. It relaxes blood vessels throughout the body.

What is​ (are) the first​ organ(s) perfused by blood leaving the​ heart?

A. Heart

B. Coronary arteries

C. Liver

D. Lungs

A. Heart

Which of the following best describes a fluttering sensation in the​ chest?

A. Tachycardia

B. Palpitations

C. Pulseless electrical activity of the heart

D. Dysrhythmia

B. Palpitations

Which of the following is the​ EMT's role in caring for a patient presenting with symptoms of​ anxiety, irritability, a short​ temper, and chest pain with shortness of​ breath?

A. Make an interpretation of the​ patient's cardiac rhythm.

B. Provide automatic external defibrillation.

C. Treat the patient as though he were having a heart problem.

D. Determine the cause of the​ patient's chest pain.

C. Treat the patient as though he were having a heart problem.

Which of the following may be a sign or symptom of a problem with the​ heart?

A. Nausea, with or without vomiting

B. Chest discomfort

C. Fainting or near fainting

D. All of the above

D. All of the above

A weakened area of an artery that balloons out and may​ rupture, causing catastrophic​ bleeding, is​ called:

A. angina.

B. angioplasty.

C. an aneurysm.

D. asystole.

C. an aneurysm.

What is not a result of a mechanical malfunction of the​ heart?

A. Pulmonary edema

B. Dysrhythmia

C. Cardiogenic shock

D. Cardiac arrest

B. Dysrhythmia

Which of the following statements regarding the administration of nitroglycerin tablets is true​?

A. It takes 20 to 30 minutes for nitroglycerin to have an effect.

B. If a​ patient's pulse rate changes following nitroglycerin​ administration, it indicates an allergic reaction.

C. The patient may complain of a headache following administration.

D. An increase in blood pressure should be expected.

C. The patient may complain of a headache following administration.

Which of the following is typical of angina​ pectoris?

A. Lasts 10 to 30 seconds

B. Does not respond to nitroglycerin

C. Does not present following stress

D. May subside with rest

D. May subside with rest

You suspect that your patient is suffering from angina pectoris. What signs or symptoms would you expect to see with this​ condition?

A. Chest pain that is not relieved with nitroglycerin

B. Chest pain that radiates to the leg

C. Chest pain that is not relieved with rest

D. Chest pain that is relieved with nitroglycerin

D. Chest pain that is relieved with nitroglycerin

In which of the following situations would the administration of aspirin to a cardiac patient be​ prohibited?

A. The patient has a gastrointestinal ulcer.

B. The patient feels dizzy.

C. The patient does not currently take aspirin.

D. The patient has a diastolic blood pressure greater than 90 mmHg.

A. The patient has a gastrointestinal ulcer.

Which of the following is the name given to the condition in which fluid accumulates in the​ lungs?

A. Pedal edema

B. Pulmonary edema

C. Congestive heart failure

D. Dyspnea

B. Pulmonary edema