ECTSI - Cardiology Practice Exam

Which of the following assessment findings would most likely indicate cardiac compromise?

A. Tachypnea

B. Tachycardia

C. Irregular pulse

D. Sudden fainting

Irregular pulse

A 50-year old man presents with "crushing" chest pain of sudden onset. He is diaphoretic and nauseated. You should

A. obtain baseline vital signs

B. apply supplemental oxygen

C. ask him if he takes nitroglycerin

D. perform a focused physical exam

apply supplemental oxygen

As you are assessing an elderly man who is complaining of chest pain, the patient suddenly loses consciousness. Your first step should be to

A. attach the AED

B. open the airway

C. assess for a pulse

D. assess for breathing

open the airway

Freshly oxygenated blood returns to the heart via which of the following blood vessels?

A. Aorta

B. Vena cava

C. Pulmonary vein

D. Pulmonary artery

Pulmonary vein

Which of the following statements regarding the automated external defibrillator is true?

A. It should be applied to patients at risk for cardiac arrest

B. It will analyze a patient's rhythm while CPR is in progress

C. It should not be used in patients with an implanted pacemaker

D. It can safely be used in children between 1 and 8 years of age.

It can safely be used in children between 1 and 8 years of age.

Nitroglycerin possesses which of the following effects when administered to patients with suspected cardiac chest pain?

A. Vasodilation and increased myocardial oxygen supply

B. Vasodilation and decreased myocardial oxygen supply

C. Vasoconstriction and increased cardiac workload

D. Vasoconstriction and increased cardiac oxygen demand

Vasodilation and increased myocardial oxygen supply

You arrive at the scene of a 56 year old man who is not breathing. Your initial assessment reveals that the patient is pulseless and apneic. The patient's wife tells you that her husband suddenly grabbed his chest and then passed out. As your partner confirms cardiac arrest and begins one-rescuer CPR, you should

A. notify medical control

B. insert an airway adjunct

C. prepare the AED for use

D. obtain a SAMPLE history

prepare the AED for use

You arrive at the scene of a 56 year old man who is not breathing. Your initial assessment reveals that the patient is pulseless and apneic. The patient's wife tells you that her husband suddenly grabbed his chest and then passed out. When performing two-rescuer CPR on this patient, you should

A. slowly compress the chest to a depth of about 1" to 1 1/2".

B. not attempt to synchronize compressions with ventilations.

C. have your partner pause after 30 compressions as you give two breaths.

D. continue ventilations as the AED analyzes the patient's cardiac rhythm.

have your partner pause after 30 compressions as you give two breaths.

You arrive at the scene of a 56 year old man who is not breathing. Your initial assessment reveals that the patient is pulseless and apneic. The patient's wife tells you that her husband suddenly grabbed his chest and then passed out. After successfully resuscitating the patient, you provide immediate transport. While en route to the hospital, the patient goes back into cardiac arrest. Your next step should be

A. tell your partner to stop the ambulance.

B. Begin CPR and proceed to the hospital

C. contact medical control for further advice.

D. analyze the patient's rhythm with the AED.

tell your partner to stop the ambulance

A 45-year-old woman calls EMS because of severe chest pain. When you arrive, she advises you that she has taken two of her husband's nitroglycerin tablets without relief. What is your most appropriate course of action?

A. Attach the AED, administer 100% oxygen, and contact medical control for advice.

B. Apply supplemental oxygen and transport the patient to the hospital without delay.

C. Call medical control and request permission to assist the patient with one more nitroglycerin tablet.

D. Obtain the patients's blood pressure and administer one more nitroglycerin tablet if her blood pressure is greater than 100 mm Hg systolic.

Apply supplemental oxygen and transport the patient to the hospital without delay

Cardiac arrest in the adult population most often is the result of

A. myocardial infarction

B. respiratory failure

C. a cardiac arrhythmia

D. accidental electrocution

a cardiac arrhythmia

The chest pain associated with cardiac compromise often is described as

A. sharp

B. stabbing

C. pressure

D. cramping

pressure

As you are attempting to resuscitate an adult man with cardiac arrest, you receive a "o shock advised" message from the AED. What should you do next?

A. continue CPR

B. Check for a pulse

C. Assess for breathing

D. Reanalyze the rhythm

Check for a pulse

The myocardium receives its blood supply from the coronary arteries that branch directly from the

A. aorta

B. vena cava

C. left atrium

D. right ventricle

aorta

The EMT-B should consider performing 2 minutes of CPR prior to attaching the AED to adult victims of cardiac arrest when

A. the arrest is caused by a traumatic injury

B. the patient's cardiac arrest was witnessed

C. the call-to-arrival time is more than 5 minutes.

D. the patient has known coronary artery disease

the call-to-arrival time is more than 5 minutes

Which of the following are side effects of nitroglycerin?

A. Nausea

B. Anxiety

C. Headache

D. Hypertension

Headache

Which of the following patients would be the best candidate for the administration of nitroglycerin?

A. A woman who has taken 3 doses of prescribed nitroglycerin without relief of chest pain

B. A woman with chest pain, prescribed nitroglycerin, and a blood pressure of 102/76 mm Hg

C. A man with chest pain, a bottle of expired nitroglycerin, and a blood pressure of 110/80 mm Hg

D. An elderly man with crushing chest pain and a blood pressure of 90/60 mm Hg

A woman with chest pain, prescribed nitroglycerin, and a blood pressure of 102/76 mm Hg

Which of the following chambers of the heart has the thickest walls?

A. Left atrium

B. Right atrium

C. Left ventricle

D. Right ventricle

Left ventricle

in addition to oxygen therapy; the most effective way to minimize the detrimental effects associated with cardiac compromise is to

A. give the patient up to 4 doses of nitroglycerin

B. reassure the patient and provide prompt transport

C. transport the patient rapidly, using lights and siren

D. request ALS support for all patients who have chest pain.

reassure the patient and provide prompt transport

Which of the following questions would be most appropriate to ask when assessing a patient with chest pain?

A. What does the pain feel like?

B. Does the pain radiate to your arm?

C. Would you describe the pain as sharp?

D. Is the pain worse when you take a deep breath?

What does the pain feel like?

Which of the following statements regarding one-rescuer CPR is correct?

A. you should assess the patient for a pulse after 3 cycles of CPR.

B. A compression to ventilation ratio of 15:2 should be delivered

C. Ventilations should be delivered over a period of 1 to 2 seconds

D. The chest should be allowed to fully recoil after each compression.

The chest should be allowed to fully recoil after each compression

You are caring for a 66-year-old woman with sever pressure in her chest. As you initiate oxygen therapy, your partner should

A. notify medical control

B. obtain a SAMPLE history

C. measure the blood pressure

D. gather the patient's medications.

measure the blood pressure

When managing a patient with chest pain, you should first

A. administer high-concentration oxygen

B. place the patient in a position of comfort

C. request an ALS ambulance to respond to the scene.

D. measure the blood pressure and administer nitroglycerin

place the patient in a position of comfort

What is the most detrimental effect that tachycardia can have on a patient experiencing cardiac compromise?

A. increased blood pressure

B. increased oxygen demand

C. increased stress and anxiety

D. decreased cardiac functioning

increased oxygen demand

After applying the AED to a 56-year old female in cardiac arrest, you analyze her cardiac rhythm and receive a "shock advised" message. First responders, who arrived at the scene before you, tell you that the patient was without CPR for about 10 minutes. You should

A. perform 2 minutes of CPR and then defibrillate

B. detach the AED and prepare for immediate transport

C. deliver the shock as indicated followed immediately by CPR.

D. notify medical control and request permission to cease resuscitation.

deliver the shock as indicated followed immediately by CPR