Page |1
Pam Bartley CEN study set Questions and
Correct Answers/ Latest Update / Already
Graded
How do you calculate a mean arterial pressure (MAP)?
Ans: SBP + 2(DBP) /3
What test is performed before inserting a radial arterial line?
Ans: Allen's test
Allen's test (modified)
Ans: The hand is elevated and the patient is asked to clench
their fist for about 30 seconds.
Ulnar and the radial arteries are occluded
Still elevated, the hand is then opened (it should appear
blanched)
Ulnar pressure is released while radial pressure is maintained;
color should return within 5 to 15 seconds.
How do you assess BP in patient with a ventricular assist device (VAD)?
Ans: Via arterial line
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, Page |2
Ankle-brachial index (ABI)
Ans: A ratio derived by dividing the ankle blood pressure by the
brachial blood pressure; this calculation is used to assess the
vascular status of the lower extremities. To obtain the ABI, a
blood pressure cuff is applied to the lower extremities just
above the malleoli. The systolic pressure is measured by
Doppler ultrasound at both the dorsalis pedis and posterior
tibial pulses. The higher of these two pressures is then divided
by the higher of the two brachial pulses.
What is a normal ankle-brachial index (ABI)?
Ans: 1.0-1.4
What do you hear on percussion in air-leak syndrome?
Ans: hyperresonance
What ECG change do you see in carbon monoxide (CO) toxicity?
Ans: sinus tachycardia, ST depression
What is the difference between complete and incomplete cord
syndromes?
Ans: Complete: no function below level of the injury
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
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Incomplete: some function below level of the injury
Why do you use a barium enema in the treatment of intussusception?
Ans: The barium can push the intestine back into place in 90%
of cases
In DKA, when is the insulin infusion discontinued?
Ans: When the patient is alert, oriented, eating and drinking
normally, SC insulin can be resumed
Leave the IV insulin running for 30 -60 min after first SC
injection
What ECG change may you see in acute adrenal insufficiency?
Ans: Peaked T waves, widened QRS (due to hyperkalemia)
What is the purpose of permissive hypotension in pelvic fracture?
Ans: To prevent disruption of clot formation
What causes the dark urine in rhabdomyolysis?
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |4
Ans: Myoglobin (muscle breakdown product) secreted by the
kidney
Why is creatine kinase (CK) elevated in rhabdomyolysis?
Ans: CK is an enzyme found in skeletal muscle; it is released as
muscle tissue is damaged by rhabdo
What is a common complication seen in stage 2 of Lyme disease?
Ans: neuro complications (numbness, pain, weakness, Bell's
palsy)
How do you treat a patient with circumferential torso burn when you
are unable to ventilate with BVM?
Ans: Sit patient up if appropriate
escharotomy
Why is pulse oximetry high during hypoxemia from carbon monoxide
exposure?
Ans: Pulse oximetry does not differentiate between O2 and CO
attached to hemoglobin
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
Pam Bartley CEN study set Questions and
Correct Answers/ Latest Update / Already
Graded
How do you calculate a mean arterial pressure (MAP)?
Ans: SBP + 2(DBP) /3
What test is performed before inserting a radial arterial line?
Ans: Allen's test
Allen's test (modified)
Ans: The hand is elevated and the patient is asked to clench
their fist for about 30 seconds.
Ulnar and the radial arteries are occluded
Still elevated, the hand is then opened (it should appear
blanched)
Ulnar pressure is released while radial pressure is maintained;
color should return within 5 to 15 seconds.
How do you assess BP in patient with a ventricular assist device (VAD)?
Ans: Via arterial line
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |2
Ankle-brachial index (ABI)
Ans: A ratio derived by dividing the ankle blood pressure by the
brachial blood pressure; this calculation is used to assess the
vascular status of the lower extremities. To obtain the ABI, a
blood pressure cuff is applied to the lower extremities just
above the malleoli. The systolic pressure is measured by
Doppler ultrasound at both the dorsalis pedis and posterior
tibial pulses. The higher of these two pressures is then divided
by the higher of the two brachial pulses.
What is a normal ankle-brachial index (ABI)?
Ans: 1.0-1.4
What do you hear on percussion in air-leak syndrome?
Ans: hyperresonance
What ECG change do you see in carbon monoxide (CO) toxicity?
Ans: sinus tachycardia, ST depression
What is the difference between complete and incomplete cord
syndromes?
Ans: Complete: no function below level of the injury
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |3
Incomplete: some function below level of the injury
Why do you use a barium enema in the treatment of intussusception?
Ans: The barium can push the intestine back into place in 90%
of cases
In DKA, when is the insulin infusion discontinued?
Ans: When the patient is alert, oriented, eating and drinking
normally, SC insulin can be resumed
Leave the IV insulin running for 30 -60 min after first SC
injection
What ECG change may you see in acute adrenal insufficiency?
Ans: Peaked T waves, widened QRS (due to hyperkalemia)
What is the purpose of permissive hypotension in pelvic fracture?
Ans: To prevent disruption of clot formation
What causes the dark urine in rhabdomyolysis?
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |4
Ans: Myoglobin (muscle breakdown product) secreted by the
kidney
Why is creatine kinase (CK) elevated in rhabdomyolysis?
Ans: CK is an enzyme found in skeletal muscle; it is released as
muscle tissue is damaged by rhabdo
What is a common complication seen in stage 2 of Lyme disease?
Ans: neuro complications (numbness, pain, weakness, Bell's
palsy)
How do you treat a patient with circumferential torso burn when you
are unable to ventilate with BVM?
Ans: Sit patient up if appropriate
escharotomy
Why is pulse oximetry high during hypoxemia from carbon monoxide
exposure?
Ans: Pulse oximetry does not differentiate between O2 and CO
attached to hemoglobin
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
