ICU BKAT COMPREHENSIVE EXAM UPDATED QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔A-flutter interpretation - ✔✔abnormal p-waves that produce a saw-tooth appearance
✔✔Failure to Capture interpreation - ✔✔spike without a complex
✔✔Failure to Pace interpretation - ✔✔no pacemaker activity or spike at the set rate on
an ECG. usually caused by battery or circuit failure, cracked or broken pacing leads,
loose connections, oversensing, or the pacing output is too low--->can lead to asystole
✔✔Failure to Sense - ✔✔undersensing: giving help when not needed; spikes occur on
the ECG where they shouldnt
✔✔Pacemaker ECG rhythms - ✔✔failure to capture: spike without a p wave or QRS
complex following it
failure to pace: no spike on ECG at the rate set
failure to sense:
spike when intrinsic activity already present (undersensing)
no spike when patient needs it
(oversensing)
✔✔Which ventricular stimulus is dangerous - ✔✔R on T phenomenon
✔✔Indications for a pacemaker? - ✔✔symptomatic bradycardia
higher AV blocks (2nd degree type 2 or Complete)
✔✔what is not a treatment for higher degree AV blocks - ✔✔atropine
because of the impaired conduction through the AV node
✔✔A-flutter happens because? - ✔✔an irritable spot of the atrium fires rapidly
✔✔A-flutter can cause _______ - ✔✔an increase in ventricular rate
✔✔A-flutter is treated by: - ✔✔antiarrhythmics (cardizem, beta blockers)
cardioversion
✔✔What do you do if you notice a lethal rhythm on the monitor (VT/VF)? - ✔✔check the
patient first
-establish unresponsiveness
call for help
-begin CPR if needed
, ✔✔When defibrillating VT/VF use _____ joules for biphasic defibrillator or _____ joules
for monophasic. - ✔✔200
360
✔✔Normal PR interval is - ✔✔0.12-0.20 seconds
✔✔Patient presents with anginal pectoris. what is initial management? - ✔✔allow rest,
amdinister oxygen, nitroglycerin, etc.
✔✔Causes of elevated cardiac enzymes - ✔✔MI, pericarditis, closed chest trauma,
cardiac surgery
✔✔Goal of treatment for cardiogenic shock (any shock) - ✔✔increase the patient's
cardiac output
✔✔A patient exhibits depression after their recent MI, you should - ✔✔encourage the
patient to verbalize their concerns and allow interaction with family
✔✔How does a cardiac tamponade occur - ✔✔blood or fluid accumulates in the
pericardial space
✔✔what does a cardiac tamponade do to the heart - ✔✔prevents the heart to pump
effectively (impaired ventricular filling and contraction)
✔✔S/S of cardiac tamponade - ✔✔pulsus paradoxus, decreased BP, JVD, tachycardia,
muffled heart sounds
✔✔PAP values - ✔✔Systolic: 15-25
Diastolic: 8-18
✔✔PAOP (wedge) - ✔✔6-12
✔✔PA Catheter waveforms - ✔✔
✔✔PAOP (wedge) reflects pressures in the - ✔✔left ventricle
✔✔An elevated PAOP may indicate - ✔✔left ventricular failure
✔✔If you notice a continual PAOP wave form is present you should - ✔✔ensure the
balloon is deflated, reposition the patient and try have the patient cough
✔✔You should not do what to PA catheter if a continual wedge pressure is present -
✔✔Flush the line
AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔A-flutter interpretation - ✔✔abnormal p-waves that produce a saw-tooth appearance
✔✔Failure to Capture interpreation - ✔✔spike without a complex
✔✔Failure to Pace interpretation - ✔✔no pacemaker activity or spike at the set rate on
an ECG. usually caused by battery or circuit failure, cracked or broken pacing leads,
loose connections, oversensing, or the pacing output is too low--->can lead to asystole
✔✔Failure to Sense - ✔✔undersensing: giving help when not needed; spikes occur on
the ECG where they shouldnt
✔✔Pacemaker ECG rhythms - ✔✔failure to capture: spike without a p wave or QRS
complex following it
failure to pace: no spike on ECG at the rate set
failure to sense:
spike when intrinsic activity already present (undersensing)
no spike when patient needs it
(oversensing)
✔✔Which ventricular stimulus is dangerous - ✔✔R on T phenomenon
✔✔Indications for a pacemaker? - ✔✔symptomatic bradycardia
higher AV blocks (2nd degree type 2 or Complete)
✔✔what is not a treatment for higher degree AV blocks - ✔✔atropine
because of the impaired conduction through the AV node
✔✔A-flutter happens because? - ✔✔an irritable spot of the atrium fires rapidly
✔✔A-flutter can cause _______ - ✔✔an increase in ventricular rate
✔✔A-flutter is treated by: - ✔✔antiarrhythmics (cardizem, beta blockers)
cardioversion
✔✔What do you do if you notice a lethal rhythm on the monitor (VT/VF)? - ✔✔check the
patient first
-establish unresponsiveness
call for help
-begin CPR if needed
, ✔✔When defibrillating VT/VF use _____ joules for biphasic defibrillator or _____ joules
for monophasic. - ✔✔200
360
✔✔Normal PR interval is - ✔✔0.12-0.20 seconds
✔✔Patient presents with anginal pectoris. what is initial management? - ✔✔allow rest,
amdinister oxygen, nitroglycerin, etc.
✔✔Causes of elevated cardiac enzymes - ✔✔MI, pericarditis, closed chest trauma,
cardiac surgery
✔✔Goal of treatment for cardiogenic shock (any shock) - ✔✔increase the patient's
cardiac output
✔✔A patient exhibits depression after their recent MI, you should - ✔✔encourage the
patient to verbalize their concerns and allow interaction with family
✔✔How does a cardiac tamponade occur - ✔✔blood or fluid accumulates in the
pericardial space
✔✔what does a cardiac tamponade do to the heart - ✔✔prevents the heart to pump
effectively (impaired ventricular filling and contraction)
✔✔S/S of cardiac tamponade - ✔✔pulsus paradoxus, decreased BP, JVD, tachycardia,
muffled heart sounds
✔✔PAP values - ✔✔Systolic: 15-25
Diastolic: 8-18
✔✔PAOP (wedge) - ✔✔6-12
✔✔PA Catheter waveforms - ✔✔
✔✔PAOP (wedge) reflects pressures in the - ✔✔left ventricle
✔✔An elevated PAOP may indicate - ✔✔left ventricular failure
✔✔If you notice a continual PAOP wave form is present you should - ✔✔ensure the
balloon is deflated, reposition the patient and try have the patient cough
✔✔You should not do what to PA catheter if a continual wedge pressure is present -
✔✔Flush the line
