EMT FISDAP CARDIOLOGY EXAM 2022 /2023 WITH
ANSWERS
CORE DOMAINS
Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology
Electrophysiology and ECG Interpretation
Acute Coronary Syndrome and Angina
Heart Failure and Cardiogenic Shock
Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation
Emergency Cardiac Medications
Vital Signs and Patient Assessment
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive examination assesses the cardiology knowledge and
clinical decision-making skills required of the EMT student preparing for the
FISDAP Cardiology Exam. It evaluates understanding of cardiac anatomy
and physiology, electrophysiology, ECG interpretation, acute coronary
syndromes, heart failure, cardiac arrest management, and emergency
cardiac medications. The examination employs multiple-choice and
scenario-based questions that simulate realistic prehospital encounters.
Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, rapid recognition of life-threatening
conditions, and the application of evidence-based resuscitation guidelines.
This assessment prepares candidates for the rigor of FISDAP certification
and real-world emergency medical practice.
SECTION ONE: CARDIAC ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY (QUESTIONS
1–20)
1. What does the OPQRST mnemonic stand for?
A. Onset, Provocation/palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, and
Time
B. Onset, Pain, Quality, Relief, Signs, Treatment
C. Observation, Palpation, Questioning, Respiration, Severity, Time
D. Onset, Position, Quality, Radiation, Signs, Transport
, A. Onset, Provocation/palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity,
and Time
RATIONALE: OPQRST is the standard mnemonic for assessing chest
pain and other symptoms. It stands for Onset, Provocation/palliation,
Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, and Time. This systematic approach
ensures a thorough pain assessment.
2. What are the names of the four valves in the heart?
A. Mitral, Tricuspid, Pulmonic, Aortic
B. Mitral, Bicuspid, Pulmonary, Systemic
C. Tricuspid, Aortic, Carotid, Pulmonary
D. Bicuspid, Tricuspid, Aortic, Venous
A. Mitral, Tricuspid, Pulmonic, Aortic
RATIONALE: The heart has four valves: the mitral (bicuspid) valve, the
tricuspid valve, the pulmonic valve, and the aortic valve. These valves
ensure unidirectional blood flow through the heart.
3. The heart is divided down the middle into left and right sides by
the:
A. Septum
B. Pericardium
C. Myocardium
D. Endocardium
A. Septum
RATIONALE: The septum is the muscular wall that divides the heart
into left and right sides. This separation prevents oxygenated and
deoxygenated blood from mixing.
4. Which chamber of the heart receives incoming unoxygenated
blood?
A. Atrium
B. Ventricle
,C. Aorta
D. Pulmonary vein
A. Atrium
RATIONALE: The atria are the upper chambers of the heart that receive
incoming blood. The right atrium receives unoxygenated blood from the
body via the vena cavae.
5. Which chamber of the heart pumps oxygenated blood?
A. Ventricles
B. Atria
C. Septum
D. Valves
A. Ventricles
RATIONALE: The ventricles are the lower chambers that pump blood
out of the heart. The left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to the body
through the aorta.
6. Where are the first electrical impulses stimulating the heart
located?
A. Right atrium
B. Left atrium
C. Right ventricle
D. Left ventricle
A. Right atrium
RATIONALE: The sinoatrial (SA) node, located in the right atrium, is the
primary pacemaker of the heart. It initiates electrical impulses that cause
the heart to contract.
7. Normal electrical impulses begin in the:
A. Sinoatrial (SA) node
B. Atrioventricular (AV) node
C. Bundle of His
D. Purkinje fibers
, A. Sinoatrial (SA) node
RATIONALE: The SA node is the normal pacemaker of the heart,
generating impulses at a rate of 60-100 beats per minute. If the SA node
fails, the AV node can take over as a backup pacemaker.
8. What characteristic allows cardiac muscle cells to contract
spontaneously without an external stimulus?
A. Automaticity
B. Conductivity
C. Excitability
D. Contractility
A. Automaticity
RATIONALE: Automaticity is the ability of cardiac cells to generate an
electrical impulse spontaneously. This property allows the heart to maintain
its own rhythm.
9. Where are Beta 1 receptors found?
A. Heart and Kidneys
B. Lungs and Heart
C. Liver and Kidneys
D. Muscles and Heart
A. Heart and Kidneys
RATIONALE: Beta-1 receptors are primarily located in the heart and
kidneys. Stimulation of these receptors increases heart rate, conduction
velocity, and contractility.
10. Stimulation of Beta 1 receptors results in an increase of what?
A. Heart rate, conduction, and contractility
B. Blood pressure only
C. Respiratory rate only
D. Pupil dilation
ANSWERS
CORE DOMAINS
Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology
Electrophysiology and ECG Interpretation
Acute Coronary Syndrome and Angina
Heart Failure and Cardiogenic Shock
Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation
Emergency Cardiac Medications
Vital Signs and Patient Assessment
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive examination assesses the cardiology knowledge and
clinical decision-making skills required of the EMT student preparing for the
FISDAP Cardiology Exam. It evaluates understanding of cardiac anatomy
and physiology, electrophysiology, ECG interpretation, acute coronary
syndromes, heart failure, cardiac arrest management, and emergency
cardiac medications. The examination employs multiple-choice and
scenario-based questions that simulate realistic prehospital encounters.
Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, rapid recognition of life-threatening
conditions, and the application of evidence-based resuscitation guidelines.
This assessment prepares candidates for the rigor of FISDAP certification
and real-world emergency medical practice.
SECTION ONE: CARDIAC ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY (QUESTIONS
1–20)
1. What does the OPQRST mnemonic stand for?
A. Onset, Provocation/palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, and
Time
B. Onset, Pain, Quality, Relief, Signs, Treatment
C. Observation, Palpation, Questioning, Respiration, Severity, Time
D. Onset, Position, Quality, Radiation, Signs, Transport
, A. Onset, Provocation/palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity,
and Time
RATIONALE: OPQRST is the standard mnemonic for assessing chest
pain and other symptoms. It stands for Onset, Provocation/palliation,
Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, and Time. This systematic approach
ensures a thorough pain assessment.
2. What are the names of the four valves in the heart?
A. Mitral, Tricuspid, Pulmonic, Aortic
B. Mitral, Bicuspid, Pulmonary, Systemic
C. Tricuspid, Aortic, Carotid, Pulmonary
D. Bicuspid, Tricuspid, Aortic, Venous
A. Mitral, Tricuspid, Pulmonic, Aortic
RATIONALE: The heart has four valves: the mitral (bicuspid) valve, the
tricuspid valve, the pulmonic valve, and the aortic valve. These valves
ensure unidirectional blood flow through the heart.
3. The heart is divided down the middle into left and right sides by
the:
A. Septum
B. Pericardium
C. Myocardium
D. Endocardium
A. Septum
RATIONALE: The septum is the muscular wall that divides the heart
into left and right sides. This separation prevents oxygenated and
deoxygenated blood from mixing.
4. Which chamber of the heart receives incoming unoxygenated
blood?
A. Atrium
B. Ventricle
,C. Aorta
D. Pulmonary vein
A. Atrium
RATIONALE: The atria are the upper chambers of the heart that receive
incoming blood. The right atrium receives unoxygenated blood from the
body via the vena cavae.
5. Which chamber of the heart pumps oxygenated blood?
A. Ventricles
B. Atria
C. Septum
D. Valves
A. Ventricles
RATIONALE: The ventricles are the lower chambers that pump blood
out of the heart. The left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to the body
through the aorta.
6. Where are the first electrical impulses stimulating the heart
located?
A. Right atrium
B. Left atrium
C. Right ventricle
D. Left ventricle
A. Right atrium
RATIONALE: The sinoatrial (SA) node, located in the right atrium, is the
primary pacemaker of the heart. It initiates electrical impulses that cause
the heart to contract.
7. Normal electrical impulses begin in the:
A. Sinoatrial (SA) node
B. Atrioventricular (AV) node
C. Bundle of His
D. Purkinje fibers
, A. Sinoatrial (SA) node
RATIONALE: The SA node is the normal pacemaker of the heart,
generating impulses at a rate of 60-100 beats per minute. If the SA node
fails, the AV node can take over as a backup pacemaker.
8. What characteristic allows cardiac muscle cells to contract
spontaneously without an external stimulus?
A. Automaticity
B. Conductivity
C. Excitability
D. Contractility
A. Automaticity
RATIONALE: Automaticity is the ability of cardiac cells to generate an
electrical impulse spontaneously. This property allows the heart to maintain
its own rhythm.
9. Where are Beta 1 receptors found?
A. Heart and Kidneys
B. Lungs and Heart
C. Liver and Kidneys
D. Muscles and Heart
A. Heart and Kidneys
RATIONALE: Beta-1 receptors are primarily located in the heart and
kidneys. Stimulation of these receptors increases heart rate, conduction
velocity, and contractility.
10. Stimulation of Beta 1 receptors results in an increase of what?
A. Heart rate, conduction, and contractility
B. Blood pressure only
C. Respiratory rate only
D. Pupil dilation
