EMERGENCY MEDICINE SAEM EXAM ACTUAL
TEST PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS ANSWERS
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ What is the cardioversion and defibrillation joules? Answer:
cardioversion = 50-100 J
defibrillation = 200 J
◉ What is the most common EKG finding in a pulmonary embolus?
What should you be on the lookout for? Answer: most common =
sinus tachycardia
look for = "S1Q3T3" (large S wave in lead I + Q wave in lead 3 + T
wave inversion in lead 3)
◉ What should you worry about if a patient's EKG shows electrical
alternans? What does this look like? Answer: cardiac tamponade!
looks like alternating big and small spikes
◉ Describe the basic evolution of the EKG of a patient having a
STEMI Answer: 1-normal
2- T waves become wide and tall
3- ST elevation
, 4- Q waves and T wave inversion
5- Q waves persist but T wave normalizes
◉ chest pain, weakness, nausea, fatigue
classic presentation of ___________________ Answer: ACS!
◉ pleuritic chest pain, shortness of breath, anxiety
classic presentation of ___________________ Answer: pulmonary
embolism
◉ a patient with SOB is found on physical exam to have tachycardia,
clear lung sounds, and a swollen leg
classic presentation of ___________________ Answer: pulmonary
embolism
◉ sudden on set severe chest pain that rips through to the back;
unequal blood pressures on PE
classic presentation of ___________________ Answer: aortic dissection
TEST PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS ANSWERS
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ What is the cardioversion and defibrillation joules? Answer:
cardioversion = 50-100 J
defibrillation = 200 J
◉ What is the most common EKG finding in a pulmonary embolus?
What should you be on the lookout for? Answer: most common =
sinus tachycardia
look for = "S1Q3T3" (large S wave in lead I + Q wave in lead 3 + T
wave inversion in lead 3)
◉ What should you worry about if a patient's EKG shows electrical
alternans? What does this look like? Answer: cardiac tamponade!
looks like alternating big and small spikes
◉ Describe the basic evolution of the EKG of a patient having a
STEMI Answer: 1-normal
2- T waves become wide and tall
3- ST elevation
, 4- Q waves and T wave inversion
5- Q waves persist but T wave normalizes
◉ chest pain, weakness, nausea, fatigue
classic presentation of ___________________ Answer: ACS!
◉ pleuritic chest pain, shortness of breath, anxiety
classic presentation of ___________________ Answer: pulmonary
embolism
◉ a patient with SOB is found on physical exam to have tachycardia,
clear lung sounds, and a swollen leg
classic presentation of ___________________ Answer: pulmonary
embolism
◉ sudden on set severe chest pain that rips through to the back;
unequal blood pressures on PE
classic presentation of ___________________ Answer: aortic dissection
