EMT FISDAP Cardiology Exam 2026 | 100 Multiple-Choice
Questions with Answers & Rationales – Complete Study
Guide
1. Which of the following is a classic symptom of acute myocardial infarction
(AMI)?
A. Chest pressure radiating to the arm/jaw, diaphoresis, nausea
B. Mild headache only
C. Leg swelling only
D. Shortness of breath alone
Answer: A. Chest pressure radiating to the arm/jaw, diaphoresis, nausea
Rationale: These are hallmark signs of AMI; rapid recognition and transport improve outcomes.
2. Which of the following is the first EMT action for a patient with chest pain
and shortness of breath?
A. Assess airway, breathing, circulation (ABCs), provide oxygen as needed
B. Start IV fluids immediately
C. Apply tourniquet
D. Take a detailed history before ABCs
Answer: A. Assess airway, breathing, circulation (ABCs), provide oxygen as needed
Rationale: Ensures oxygenation and perfusion; airway and breathing take priority.
3. Which of the following is true regarding nitroglycerin administration?
A. Only administer if systolic BP ≥ 100 mmHg and physician-approved protocol followed
B. Give regardless of BP
C. Only give orally
D. Contraindicated in all chest pain cases
Answer: A. Only administer if systolic BP ≥ 100 mmHg and physician-approved protocol
followed
Rationale: Prevents hypotension; nitroglycerin dilates vessels and reduces myocardial workload.
4. Which of the following is a priority for a patient in ventricular fibrillation?
A. Immediate CPR and defibrillation
B. Administer aspirin only
C. Give oxygen only
D. Monitor vitals only
Answer: A. Immediate CPR and defibrillation
Rationale: VF is life-threatening; rapid defibrillation is essential to restore perfusing rhythm.
,5. Which of the following is a sign of cardiogenic shock?
A. Hypotension, weak pulses, pulmonary edema
B. Bradycardia only
C. Warm, flushed skin
D. Mild fatigue only
Answer: A. Hypotension, weak pulses, pulmonary edema
Rationale: Heart fails to pump effectively, reducing tissue perfusion.
6. Which of the following is true regarding congestive heart failure (CHF)?
A. Fluid backs up into lungs or body tissues, causing dyspnea, edema, and fatigue
B. Always causes hypotension
C. Only occurs in children
D. Is always reversible in minutes
Answer: A. Fluid backs up into lungs or body tissues, causing dyspnea, edema, and fatigue
Rationale: CHF is caused by pump failure; signs depend on left- or right-sided involvement.
7. Which of the following is a common early sign of heart failure?
A. Shortness of breath on exertion, fatigue, mild edema
B. Severe hypotension immediately
C. Chest pain only
D. Cyanosis only
Answer: A. Shortness of breath on exertion, fatigue, mild edema
Rationale: Early recognition allows timely treatment and prevents decompensation.
8. Which of the following is a sign of acute pulmonary edema?
A. Dyspnea, orthopnea, crackles on auscultation, frothy pink sputum
B. Mild cough only
C. Fever only
D. Bradycardia only
Answer: A. Dyspnea, orthopnea, crackles on auscultation, frothy pink sputum
Rationale: Fluid in alveoli impairs oxygenation; rapid transport is required.
9. Which of the following ECG rhythms requires immediate defibrillation?
A. Ventricular fibrillation (VF)
B. Sinus tachycardia
C. Atrial fibrillation
D. Junctional rhythm
Answer: A. Ventricular fibrillation (VF)
Rationale: VF is non-perfusing; defibrillation is the only effective treatment.
, 10. Which of the following is the first EMT action for a patient with bradycardia
and hypotension?
A. Monitor vitals, prepare for possible pacing per protocol
B. Give aspirin
C. Apply tourniquet
D. Administer nitroglycerin
Answer: A. Monitor vitals, prepare for possible pacing per protocol
Rationale: Symptomatic bradycardia may require advanced interventions; oxygen and
monitoring are essential.
11. Which of the following is a sign of acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?
A. Chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, diaphoresis
B. Fever only
C. Leg cramping
D. Mild headache only
Answer: A. Chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, diaphoresis
Rationale: Recognizing ACS early is crucial for rapid transport and treatment.
12. Which of the following is true about tachycardia in a cardiac patient?
A. May indicate compensatory response to shock or arrhythmia
B. Always harmless
C. Requires tourniquet application
D. Never needs monitoring
Answer: A. May indicate compensatory response to shock or arrhythmia
Rationale: Tachycardia can be a warning sign of hemodynamic compromise.
13. Which of the following is the EMT’s priority for a patient with chest pain and
hypotension?
A. Airway, oxygen, rapid transport, monitor vitals
B. Give aspirin only
C. Take detailed history first
D. Start IV fluids only
Answer: A. Airway, oxygen, rapid transport, monitor vitals
Rationale: Ensures oxygenation and perfusion; time-sensitive intervention for ACS.
14. Which of the following is a sign of right-sided heart failure?
A. Peripheral edema, jugular venous distention, hepatomegaly
B. Pulmonary edema only
C. Bradycardia only
D. Cyanosis only
Questions with Answers & Rationales – Complete Study
Guide
1. Which of the following is a classic symptom of acute myocardial infarction
(AMI)?
A. Chest pressure radiating to the arm/jaw, diaphoresis, nausea
B. Mild headache only
C. Leg swelling only
D. Shortness of breath alone
Answer: A. Chest pressure radiating to the arm/jaw, diaphoresis, nausea
Rationale: These are hallmark signs of AMI; rapid recognition and transport improve outcomes.
2. Which of the following is the first EMT action for a patient with chest pain
and shortness of breath?
A. Assess airway, breathing, circulation (ABCs), provide oxygen as needed
B. Start IV fluids immediately
C. Apply tourniquet
D. Take a detailed history before ABCs
Answer: A. Assess airway, breathing, circulation (ABCs), provide oxygen as needed
Rationale: Ensures oxygenation and perfusion; airway and breathing take priority.
3. Which of the following is true regarding nitroglycerin administration?
A. Only administer if systolic BP ≥ 100 mmHg and physician-approved protocol followed
B. Give regardless of BP
C. Only give orally
D. Contraindicated in all chest pain cases
Answer: A. Only administer if systolic BP ≥ 100 mmHg and physician-approved protocol
followed
Rationale: Prevents hypotension; nitroglycerin dilates vessels and reduces myocardial workload.
4. Which of the following is a priority for a patient in ventricular fibrillation?
A. Immediate CPR and defibrillation
B. Administer aspirin only
C. Give oxygen only
D. Monitor vitals only
Answer: A. Immediate CPR and defibrillation
Rationale: VF is life-threatening; rapid defibrillation is essential to restore perfusing rhythm.
,5. Which of the following is a sign of cardiogenic shock?
A. Hypotension, weak pulses, pulmonary edema
B. Bradycardia only
C. Warm, flushed skin
D. Mild fatigue only
Answer: A. Hypotension, weak pulses, pulmonary edema
Rationale: Heart fails to pump effectively, reducing tissue perfusion.
6. Which of the following is true regarding congestive heart failure (CHF)?
A. Fluid backs up into lungs or body tissues, causing dyspnea, edema, and fatigue
B. Always causes hypotension
C. Only occurs in children
D. Is always reversible in minutes
Answer: A. Fluid backs up into lungs or body tissues, causing dyspnea, edema, and fatigue
Rationale: CHF is caused by pump failure; signs depend on left- or right-sided involvement.
7. Which of the following is a common early sign of heart failure?
A. Shortness of breath on exertion, fatigue, mild edema
B. Severe hypotension immediately
C. Chest pain only
D. Cyanosis only
Answer: A. Shortness of breath on exertion, fatigue, mild edema
Rationale: Early recognition allows timely treatment and prevents decompensation.
8. Which of the following is a sign of acute pulmonary edema?
A. Dyspnea, orthopnea, crackles on auscultation, frothy pink sputum
B. Mild cough only
C. Fever only
D. Bradycardia only
Answer: A. Dyspnea, orthopnea, crackles on auscultation, frothy pink sputum
Rationale: Fluid in alveoli impairs oxygenation; rapid transport is required.
9. Which of the following ECG rhythms requires immediate defibrillation?
A. Ventricular fibrillation (VF)
B. Sinus tachycardia
C. Atrial fibrillation
D. Junctional rhythm
Answer: A. Ventricular fibrillation (VF)
Rationale: VF is non-perfusing; defibrillation is the only effective treatment.
, 10. Which of the following is the first EMT action for a patient with bradycardia
and hypotension?
A. Monitor vitals, prepare for possible pacing per protocol
B. Give aspirin
C. Apply tourniquet
D. Administer nitroglycerin
Answer: A. Monitor vitals, prepare for possible pacing per protocol
Rationale: Symptomatic bradycardia may require advanced interventions; oxygen and
monitoring are essential.
11. Which of the following is a sign of acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?
A. Chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, diaphoresis
B. Fever only
C. Leg cramping
D. Mild headache only
Answer: A. Chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, diaphoresis
Rationale: Recognizing ACS early is crucial for rapid transport and treatment.
12. Which of the following is true about tachycardia in a cardiac patient?
A. May indicate compensatory response to shock or arrhythmia
B. Always harmless
C. Requires tourniquet application
D. Never needs monitoring
Answer: A. May indicate compensatory response to shock or arrhythmia
Rationale: Tachycardia can be a warning sign of hemodynamic compromise.
13. Which of the following is the EMT’s priority for a patient with chest pain and
hypotension?
A. Airway, oxygen, rapid transport, monitor vitals
B. Give aspirin only
C. Take detailed history first
D. Start IV fluids only
Answer: A. Airway, oxygen, rapid transport, monitor vitals
Rationale: Ensures oxygenation and perfusion; time-sensitive intervention for ACS.
14. Which of the following is a sign of right-sided heart failure?
A. Peripheral edema, jugular venous distention, hepatomegaly
B. Pulmonary edema only
C. Bradycardia only
D. Cyanosis only
