RCIS LATEST 2026 STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔What are contraindications for radial access? - ✔✔Allen's test longer than 6 seconds
occluded ulnar artery
✔✔What part of the heart are biopsy samples taken? - ✔✔Right ventricle septum wall
✔✔0.5mm of lead is the equivalent of ______ shielding from xray - ✔✔95% shielding
from xray
✔✔Why are extra long wires used? (>260cm) - ✔✔Used for exchange "over the wire"
balloons
✔✔What is the angiographic view for right coronary ostium? - ✔✔30-40 LAO
✔✔What are baroreceptors? - ✔✔Located on arch of aorta and R&L internal carotid
If stretched -- parasympathetic response-- decreases heart rate and contraction
If baroreceptor stretch decreases then sympathetic response -- increased heart rate
✔✔Beta 1 receptors - ✔✔heart (only 1 heart)
✔✔When do you use distal protection like a filter basket? - ✔✔Carotid and vein
graft/IMA stenting
Thrombectomy (angiojet)
✔✔ACT level needed to proceed with angioplasty (PTCA)? - ✔✔250-300 seconds
✔✔In the LAO view, where is the circumflex? - ✔✔LAO backbone is on the right
And in all obliques view the Cx near the backbone
✔✔What is a normal bicarbonate (HCO3) level? - ✔✔22-26mEq/L
✔✔What enzyme reaches its peak 3-4 days post infarction? - ✔✔LDH (lactase
dehydrogenase)
✔✔The Seldinger technique uses which blade? - ✔✔#11
✔✔What gives a good measure of eye exposure? - ✔✔Color badges
✔✔What is a normal blood CO2 level? - ✔✔35-45 mmHg
, ✔✔What is the duration of a Q wave? - ✔✔0.04 sec (1 box)
1/4 of R wave in 2 or more contiguous leads
✔✔What is a major effect of diuretics? - ✔✔Decreases preload
✔✔FFR is not influenced by? - ✔✔Changing hemodynamic conditions: HR, BP, and
myocardial contractility.
✔✔What is the biggest risk of a heart biopsy? - ✔✔RV perforation
✔✔What is Kussmaul's sign? - ✔✔Seen in constrictive pericarditis
neck vein distension on inspiration
blood refluxes to jugular vein instead of entering RA
✔✔Which catheters have high takeoffs? - ✔✔Amplatz and JL 5
✔✔What are two important factors in a cardiocentesis? - ✔✔Use the echo and have he
patient sitting
✔✔When do the coronary arteries perfuse? - ✔✔during diastole
✔✔Constrictive pericarditis characteristics - ✔✔Equalization of RV and LV diastolic
pressure in addition to square root sign
Square root shape results from increase pressure during passive filling, when plateau
quickly due to ventricular not being compliant
✔✔ True or False: During a left heart biopsy you should give heparin. - ✔✔Yes, 5000IU
to avoid thrombi going to the brain
✔✔What is the maximum annual Radiation exposure? - ✔✔5 REM
✔✔What is the therapeutic INR range for someone on warfarin/coumadin? - ✔✔2.0-3.0
✔✔What is a normal INR for someone not on coumadin/warfarin? - ✔✔INR 0.6-1.2
✔✔When using FFR, what drug is given and how is it delivered? - ✔✔Adenosine
causes hyperemia (Increased blood flow to the tissues.
Can be delivered by either IV or IC
✔✔What are the pros and cons of a mechanical aortic valve? - ✔✔Pros: last longer
Cons: Prone to thrombus formation
ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔What are contraindications for radial access? - ✔✔Allen's test longer than 6 seconds
occluded ulnar artery
✔✔What part of the heart are biopsy samples taken? - ✔✔Right ventricle septum wall
✔✔0.5mm of lead is the equivalent of ______ shielding from xray - ✔✔95% shielding
from xray
✔✔Why are extra long wires used? (>260cm) - ✔✔Used for exchange "over the wire"
balloons
✔✔What is the angiographic view for right coronary ostium? - ✔✔30-40 LAO
✔✔What are baroreceptors? - ✔✔Located on arch of aorta and R&L internal carotid
If stretched -- parasympathetic response-- decreases heart rate and contraction
If baroreceptor stretch decreases then sympathetic response -- increased heart rate
✔✔Beta 1 receptors - ✔✔heart (only 1 heart)
✔✔When do you use distal protection like a filter basket? - ✔✔Carotid and vein
graft/IMA stenting
Thrombectomy (angiojet)
✔✔ACT level needed to proceed with angioplasty (PTCA)? - ✔✔250-300 seconds
✔✔In the LAO view, where is the circumflex? - ✔✔LAO backbone is on the right
And in all obliques view the Cx near the backbone
✔✔What is a normal bicarbonate (HCO3) level? - ✔✔22-26mEq/L
✔✔What enzyme reaches its peak 3-4 days post infarction? - ✔✔LDH (lactase
dehydrogenase)
✔✔The Seldinger technique uses which blade? - ✔✔#11
✔✔What gives a good measure of eye exposure? - ✔✔Color badges
✔✔What is a normal blood CO2 level? - ✔✔35-45 mmHg
, ✔✔What is the duration of a Q wave? - ✔✔0.04 sec (1 box)
1/4 of R wave in 2 or more contiguous leads
✔✔What is a major effect of diuretics? - ✔✔Decreases preload
✔✔FFR is not influenced by? - ✔✔Changing hemodynamic conditions: HR, BP, and
myocardial contractility.
✔✔What is the biggest risk of a heart biopsy? - ✔✔RV perforation
✔✔What is Kussmaul's sign? - ✔✔Seen in constrictive pericarditis
neck vein distension on inspiration
blood refluxes to jugular vein instead of entering RA
✔✔Which catheters have high takeoffs? - ✔✔Amplatz and JL 5
✔✔What are two important factors in a cardiocentesis? - ✔✔Use the echo and have he
patient sitting
✔✔When do the coronary arteries perfuse? - ✔✔during diastole
✔✔Constrictive pericarditis characteristics - ✔✔Equalization of RV and LV diastolic
pressure in addition to square root sign
Square root shape results from increase pressure during passive filling, when plateau
quickly due to ventricular not being compliant
✔✔ True or False: During a left heart biopsy you should give heparin. - ✔✔Yes, 5000IU
to avoid thrombi going to the brain
✔✔What is the maximum annual Radiation exposure? - ✔✔5 REM
✔✔What is the therapeutic INR range for someone on warfarin/coumadin? - ✔✔2.0-3.0
✔✔What is a normal INR for someone not on coumadin/warfarin? - ✔✔INR 0.6-1.2
✔✔When using FFR, what drug is given and how is it delivered? - ✔✔Adenosine
causes hyperemia (Increased blood flow to the tissues.
Can be delivered by either IV or IC
✔✔What are the pros and cons of a mechanical aortic valve? - ✔✔Pros: last longer
Cons: Prone to thrombus formation
