EMT FISDAP CARDIOLOGY EXAM–COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE |
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS-RATIONALES | EXAM
PREP | DOWNLOAD INSTANT PDF | GUARANTEED PASS ||
LATEST EXAM 2026-2027
1. A 58-year-old male presents with acute, crushing substernal chest pressure radiating to
his left arm and diaphoresis. His vital signs are BP 138/88 mmHg, HR 92 bpm, RR 20 bpm,
and SpO2 is 94% on room air. What is the most critical initial intervention for the EMT?
A. Administer 324 mg of chewable aspirin if not contraindicated.
B. Establish an intravenous line and administer a fluid bolus.
C. Apply high-flow oxygen via a non-rebreather mask immediately.
D. Administer the patient's prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin.
Answer: A
Early administration of aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation, preventing the enlargement of an
intracoronary thrombus and significantly reducing myocardial infarction mortality.
2. You are treating a 64-year-old female complaining of shortness of breath and left-sided
chest heaviness. Her skin is pale, cool, and clammy. Vital signs are BP 86/52 mmHg, HR
118 bpm, and RR 24 bpm. Which condition should you suspect as the primary cause of her
presentation?
A. Stable angina pectoris
B. Cardiogenic shock
C. Hypertensive emergency
D. Acute panic attack
Answer: B
Cardiogenic shock occurs when the left ventricle fails to pump effectively, leading to profound
hypotension, cool and clammy skin, tachycardia, and poor systemic tissue perfusion.
3. An EMT is assessing a 72-year-old male with a history of heart failure who presents with
severe respiratory distress, bilateral crackles in the lungs, and pink, frothy sputum. What
is the most appropriate initial oxygen delivery device?
A. Nasal cannula at 2 L/min
B. Non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min
C. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device
D. Simple face mask at 8 L/min
Answer: C
,Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) forces fluid out of the alveoli and back into the
pulmonary capillaries, improving oxygenation and reducing the work of breathing in acute
pulmonary edema.
4. A 50-year-old male collapses while shoveling snow. Bystanders report he is unresponsive
and not breathing normally. After confirming cardiac arrest, what is the immediate
priority action?
A. Obtain a detailed medical history from family members.
B. Initiate high-quality chest compressions immediately.
C. Search the patient's pockets for prescribed cardiac medications.
D. Insert an advanced supraglottic airway device.
Answer: B
High-quality chest compressions restore minimal perfusion to vital organs and are the single
most important intervention in cardiac arrest survival.
5. You arrive on scene for a 45-year-old male experiencing an acute panic attack. He
reports rapid heart palpitations, numbness around his mouth, and carpal-pedal spasms.
His respiratory rate is 34 bpm. What is the physiological mechanism behind his symptoms?
A. Severe metabolic acidosis caused by cellular hypoxia
B. Respiratory alkalosis caused by excessive carbon dioxide elimination
C. Acute cardiogenic shock secondary to unrecognized myocardial ischemia
D. Respiratory acidosis caused by acute hypoventilation
Answer: B
Rapid breathing eliminates excess carbon dioxide, leading to hypocapnia, which increases
blood pH (respiratory alkalosis) and causes calcium binding changes resulting in paresthesias
and muscle spasms.
6. A 67-year-old female with a history of hypertension complains of a tearing chest pain
radiating directly between her shoulder blades. Her blood pressure differential between
arms is significant. What condition should you strongly suspect?
A. Acute myocardial infarction
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Thoracic aortic dissection
D. Spontaneous pneumothorax
Answer: C
,Thoracic aortic dissections typically present with sudden, severe tearing or ripping pain
radiating to the back, often accompanied by unequal blood pressure readings between the
upper extremities.
7. You are managing a 58-year-old male experiencing chest discomfort. He is alert and
oriented, with a BP of 142/84 mmHg and HR of 88 bpm. He hands you a bottle of
prescribed nitroglycerin. What is an absolute contraindication to assisting him with this
medication?
A. A history of hypertension
B. A systolic blood pressure of 142 mmHg
C. Recent use of a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor within 24 to 48 hours
D. Mild dull headache reported after the first dose
Answer: C
Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (such as sildenafil) combined with nitroglycerin can cause
profound, life-threatening systemic vasodilation and catastrophic hypotension.
8. An 80-year-old female presents with generalized weakness, dizziness, and a heart rate of
38 bpm. Her skin is pale and diaphoresis is noted. Her blood pressure is 74/46 mmHg. How
should the EMT classify this rhythm presentation?
A. Compensated tachycardia
B. Symptomatic bradycardia
C. Normal sinus rhythm
D. Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
Answer: B
A heart rate below 60 bpm accompanied by signs of poor perfusion such as hypotension,
altered mental status, or dizziness constitutes symptomatic bradycardia requiring prompt
intervention.
9. When performing automated external defibrillator (AED) analysis on an adult cardiac
arrest patient, the device advises a shock. What is your immediate instruction to the crew
and bystanders?
A. Ensure everyone is completely clear of the patient before delivering the shock.
B. Continue performing chest compressions while the shock is charging.
C. Check the patient's carotid pulse to verify the underlying rhythm.
D. Ventilate the patient manually with a bag-valve-mask during shock delivery.
Answer: A
, Ensuring that no one is touching the patient during shock delivery prevents accidental
electrical transmission to rescuers or bystanders.
10. A 61-year-old male complains of dull chest pressure that began while resting and has
persisted for 25 minutes. He states the pain is not relieved by rest or two doses of his
prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin. What is the most appropriate conclusion?
A. The pain is purely musculoskeletal in origin.
B. The patient is experiencing unstable angina or an evolving myocardial infarction.
C. The nitroglycerin dose was too low to cause any physiological effect.
D. The patient is suffering from an acute panic attack.
Answer: B
Chest pain that persists at rest and is refractory to nitroglycerin strongly indicates ongoing
myocardial ischemia or infarction requiring emergency transport.
11. Which anatomical structure pumps oxygenated blood directly out of the heart and into
the systemic circulation through the aortic valve?
A. Right atrium
B. Right ventricle
C. Left atrium
D. Left ventricle
Answer: D
The left ventricle is the thickest muscular chamber of the heart responsible for generating
high pressure to propel oxygenated blood through the aortic valve into the systemic
circulation.
12. A 55-year-old male with a history of coronary artery disease is found unresponsive,
pulseless, and apneic. The AED is attached and delivers a shock. What is the immediate
next step in management?
A. Check the carotid pulse to verify return of spontaneous circulation.
B. Immediately resume high-quality chest compressions for two minutes.
C. Analyze the rhythm again with the AED before touching the patient.
D. Insert an advanced airway and administer rescue breaths at 30 breaths per minute.
Answer: B
Following a defibrillation shock, chest compressions must be resumed immediately for two
minutes before the AED reanalyzes the cardiac rhythm.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS-RATIONALES | EXAM
PREP | DOWNLOAD INSTANT PDF | GUARANTEED PASS ||
LATEST EXAM 2026-2027
1. A 58-year-old male presents with acute, crushing substernal chest pressure radiating to
his left arm and diaphoresis. His vital signs are BP 138/88 mmHg, HR 92 bpm, RR 20 bpm,
and SpO2 is 94% on room air. What is the most critical initial intervention for the EMT?
A. Administer 324 mg of chewable aspirin if not contraindicated.
B. Establish an intravenous line and administer a fluid bolus.
C. Apply high-flow oxygen via a non-rebreather mask immediately.
D. Administer the patient's prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin.
Answer: A
Early administration of aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation, preventing the enlargement of an
intracoronary thrombus and significantly reducing myocardial infarction mortality.
2. You are treating a 64-year-old female complaining of shortness of breath and left-sided
chest heaviness. Her skin is pale, cool, and clammy. Vital signs are BP 86/52 mmHg, HR
118 bpm, and RR 24 bpm. Which condition should you suspect as the primary cause of her
presentation?
A. Stable angina pectoris
B. Cardiogenic shock
C. Hypertensive emergency
D. Acute panic attack
Answer: B
Cardiogenic shock occurs when the left ventricle fails to pump effectively, leading to profound
hypotension, cool and clammy skin, tachycardia, and poor systemic tissue perfusion.
3. An EMT is assessing a 72-year-old male with a history of heart failure who presents with
severe respiratory distress, bilateral crackles in the lungs, and pink, frothy sputum. What
is the most appropriate initial oxygen delivery device?
A. Nasal cannula at 2 L/min
B. Non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min
C. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device
D. Simple face mask at 8 L/min
Answer: C
,Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) forces fluid out of the alveoli and back into the
pulmonary capillaries, improving oxygenation and reducing the work of breathing in acute
pulmonary edema.
4. A 50-year-old male collapses while shoveling snow. Bystanders report he is unresponsive
and not breathing normally. After confirming cardiac arrest, what is the immediate
priority action?
A. Obtain a detailed medical history from family members.
B. Initiate high-quality chest compressions immediately.
C. Search the patient's pockets for prescribed cardiac medications.
D. Insert an advanced supraglottic airway device.
Answer: B
High-quality chest compressions restore minimal perfusion to vital organs and are the single
most important intervention in cardiac arrest survival.
5. You arrive on scene for a 45-year-old male experiencing an acute panic attack. He
reports rapid heart palpitations, numbness around his mouth, and carpal-pedal spasms.
His respiratory rate is 34 bpm. What is the physiological mechanism behind his symptoms?
A. Severe metabolic acidosis caused by cellular hypoxia
B. Respiratory alkalosis caused by excessive carbon dioxide elimination
C. Acute cardiogenic shock secondary to unrecognized myocardial ischemia
D. Respiratory acidosis caused by acute hypoventilation
Answer: B
Rapid breathing eliminates excess carbon dioxide, leading to hypocapnia, which increases
blood pH (respiratory alkalosis) and causes calcium binding changes resulting in paresthesias
and muscle spasms.
6. A 67-year-old female with a history of hypertension complains of a tearing chest pain
radiating directly between her shoulder blades. Her blood pressure differential between
arms is significant. What condition should you strongly suspect?
A. Acute myocardial infarction
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Thoracic aortic dissection
D. Spontaneous pneumothorax
Answer: C
,Thoracic aortic dissections typically present with sudden, severe tearing or ripping pain
radiating to the back, often accompanied by unequal blood pressure readings between the
upper extremities.
7. You are managing a 58-year-old male experiencing chest discomfort. He is alert and
oriented, with a BP of 142/84 mmHg and HR of 88 bpm. He hands you a bottle of
prescribed nitroglycerin. What is an absolute contraindication to assisting him with this
medication?
A. A history of hypertension
B. A systolic blood pressure of 142 mmHg
C. Recent use of a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor within 24 to 48 hours
D. Mild dull headache reported after the first dose
Answer: C
Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (such as sildenafil) combined with nitroglycerin can cause
profound, life-threatening systemic vasodilation and catastrophic hypotension.
8. An 80-year-old female presents with generalized weakness, dizziness, and a heart rate of
38 bpm. Her skin is pale and diaphoresis is noted. Her blood pressure is 74/46 mmHg. How
should the EMT classify this rhythm presentation?
A. Compensated tachycardia
B. Symptomatic bradycardia
C. Normal sinus rhythm
D. Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
Answer: B
A heart rate below 60 bpm accompanied by signs of poor perfusion such as hypotension,
altered mental status, or dizziness constitutes symptomatic bradycardia requiring prompt
intervention.
9. When performing automated external defibrillator (AED) analysis on an adult cardiac
arrest patient, the device advises a shock. What is your immediate instruction to the crew
and bystanders?
A. Ensure everyone is completely clear of the patient before delivering the shock.
B. Continue performing chest compressions while the shock is charging.
C. Check the patient's carotid pulse to verify the underlying rhythm.
D. Ventilate the patient manually with a bag-valve-mask during shock delivery.
Answer: A
, Ensuring that no one is touching the patient during shock delivery prevents accidental
electrical transmission to rescuers or bystanders.
10. A 61-year-old male complains of dull chest pressure that began while resting and has
persisted for 25 minutes. He states the pain is not relieved by rest or two doses of his
prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin. What is the most appropriate conclusion?
A. The pain is purely musculoskeletal in origin.
B. The patient is experiencing unstable angina or an evolving myocardial infarction.
C. The nitroglycerin dose was too low to cause any physiological effect.
D. The patient is suffering from an acute panic attack.
Answer: B
Chest pain that persists at rest and is refractory to nitroglycerin strongly indicates ongoing
myocardial ischemia or infarction requiring emergency transport.
11. Which anatomical structure pumps oxygenated blood directly out of the heart and into
the systemic circulation through the aortic valve?
A. Right atrium
B. Right ventricle
C. Left atrium
D. Left ventricle
Answer: D
The left ventricle is the thickest muscular chamber of the heart responsible for generating
high pressure to propel oxygenated blood through the aortic valve into the systemic
circulation.
12. A 55-year-old male with a history of coronary artery disease is found unresponsive,
pulseless, and apneic. The AED is attached and delivers a shock. What is the immediate
next step in management?
A. Check the carotid pulse to verify return of spontaneous circulation.
B. Immediately resume high-quality chest compressions for two minutes.
C. Analyze the rhythm again with the AED before touching the patient.
D. Insert an advanced airway and administer rescue breaths at 30 breaths per minute.
Answer: B
Following a defibrillation shock, chest compressions must be resumed immediately for two
minutes before the AED reanalyzes the cardiac rhythm.
