CARDIAC COMPLEX CARE PRACTICE
EXAMINATION 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ Sinus Tachycardia.
Answer: Treatment:- treat underlying cause- drugs to slow hr: beta blockers,
calcium channel blockers, digoxin
◍ Valve disorders: stenosis.
Answer: the valve does not open completely and blood flow through the
valve is reduced
◍ Sinus Bradycardia.
Answer: Symptoms:- hypotension- sob- chest pain - dizziness, syncope
Treatment:- only if symptomatic - drugs: atropine, isupril- pacemaker
◍ valve disorders: regurgitation.
Answer: the valve does not close properly and blood back flows through the
valve
◍ biologic valves pros and cons.
Answer: pros: reduced need for anticoagulationcons: doesn't last as long as
mechanical valves
◍ Sinus Arrhythmia.
Answer: Treatment:- usually none unless symptomatic brady
◍ mechanical valves: pros and cons.
Answer: pros: longevitycons: lifelong anticoagulation (warfarin)
◍ Percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty.
Answer: a balloon tipped catheter is inserted into a stenotic valve and
inflated to enlarge the area of the valve
,◍ Atrial Rhythm: Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib).
Answer: Treatment: - rhythm control: synchronized cardioversion - catheter
procedure: radiofrequency cath ablation - rate control: calcium channel
blockers, beta blockers, digoxin- prevent thrombi/emboli: if longer than 48
hours, need warfarin for at least 3 weeks and an INR of 2-3 prior to
cardioversion Problems:- blood pools in atria --> high risk of thrombus or
embolus- decreases CO by 20-30%
◍ Atrial Rhythm: Supraventricular Tachycardia.
Answer: Problems: - if sustained, CO will be decreased- usually paroxysmal
and tolerated though Treatment:- underlying cause- valsallva maneuver to
decrease rate emergently- 6mg rapid push adenosine - diltiazem, verapamil,
digoxin to slow AV conduction - synchronized cardioversion if symptomatic
◍ BTW i am only making cards for each arrhythmia that contain the most
important info. whatever she bolded or redded.
Answer: view her study guide for deeper
◍ Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
Answer: a procedure in which the existing valve is left in place and a fully
collapsible replacement valve is delivered to the valve site through a
catheter
◍ coronary artery disease.
Answer: atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries that reduces the blood
supply to the heart muscle
◍ Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery.
Answer: surgical procedure performed to restore blood flow to the
myocardium by using a section of the saphenous vein or internal mammary
artery to go around the obstructed coronary artery
◍ Pre-op of cardiac surgery.
Answer: -H&P-pre-op teaching for patient and family-chest radiography,
ECG-Labs: CBC, electrolytes, PT, PTT, BUN, Cr-medication review
(aspirin is held 1-3 days before surgery!)-Pulmonary Function Tests and
, ABG if underlying pulmonary problems
◍ Cardiopulmonary bypass (heart/lung machine).
Answer: -Deoxygenated venous blood is brought to pump-Oxygenated
blood is placed into ascending aorta-Heparin delivered to prevent
coagulation-Body temperature is decreased to 28-32 C-cardioplegia solution
is applied consisting of potassiumresults in asystole-Blood is rewarmed at
completion of surgery-Cardiac function returns or electrical stimulation
used-Heparin is reversed
◍ Effects of cardiopulmonary bypass.
Answer: 1) Increased capillary permeability-Fluid shifts2) Hemodilution
-Anemia-Fluid shifts -Electrolyte dilution3) Altered
coagulation-Hypercoagulation (emboli)-Hypocoagulation (bleeding)4)
Damage to blood cells-Hematocrit reduced -Platelets reduced -Immune
response reduced5) Microembolization-From tissue debris, air bubbles or
platelet aggregation6) Increased systemic vascular resistance (SVR)
-Hypertension -Decreased cardiac output
◍ Ventricular rhythm: Pre-Ventricular Contraction.
Answer: Causes:- hypo/hyperkalemia- hypomagnesemia- hypocalcemia -
ischemia, MI, cardiomyopathies- acidosis- drugs: tobacco, caffeine, cocaine,
amphetamines, tricyclic antidepressants Problems:- usually tolerated and
paroxysmal- if sustained: CO will decrease and leads to Afib Treatment:-
underlying cause- amiodarone, lidocaine, pronestyl, beta blockers
◍ Post-op CABG.
Answer: -Temporary epicardial pacing-Chest tubes: Mediastinal and
pericardial; Pleural chest tubes-Cardiac and hemodynamic monitoring
◍ How do you manage hypothermia after cardiac surgery?.
Answer: -Hypothermia causes peripheral vasoconstriction --> reduces heat
loss-Core temperature monitoring-Rewarming should occur slowly to
prevent rapid vasodilation and hemodynamic instability --> drop BP-Prevent
shivering
EXAMINATION 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ Sinus Tachycardia.
Answer: Treatment:- treat underlying cause- drugs to slow hr: beta blockers,
calcium channel blockers, digoxin
◍ Valve disorders: stenosis.
Answer: the valve does not open completely and blood flow through the
valve is reduced
◍ Sinus Bradycardia.
Answer: Symptoms:- hypotension- sob- chest pain - dizziness, syncope
Treatment:- only if symptomatic - drugs: atropine, isupril- pacemaker
◍ valve disorders: regurgitation.
Answer: the valve does not close properly and blood back flows through the
valve
◍ biologic valves pros and cons.
Answer: pros: reduced need for anticoagulationcons: doesn't last as long as
mechanical valves
◍ Sinus Arrhythmia.
Answer: Treatment:- usually none unless symptomatic brady
◍ mechanical valves: pros and cons.
Answer: pros: longevitycons: lifelong anticoagulation (warfarin)
◍ Percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty.
Answer: a balloon tipped catheter is inserted into a stenotic valve and
inflated to enlarge the area of the valve
,◍ Atrial Rhythm: Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib).
Answer: Treatment: - rhythm control: synchronized cardioversion - catheter
procedure: radiofrequency cath ablation - rate control: calcium channel
blockers, beta blockers, digoxin- prevent thrombi/emboli: if longer than 48
hours, need warfarin for at least 3 weeks and an INR of 2-3 prior to
cardioversion Problems:- blood pools in atria --> high risk of thrombus or
embolus- decreases CO by 20-30%
◍ Atrial Rhythm: Supraventricular Tachycardia.
Answer: Problems: - if sustained, CO will be decreased- usually paroxysmal
and tolerated though Treatment:- underlying cause- valsallva maneuver to
decrease rate emergently- 6mg rapid push adenosine - diltiazem, verapamil,
digoxin to slow AV conduction - synchronized cardioversion if symptomatic
◍ BTW i am only making cards for each arrhythmia that contain the most
important info. whatever she bolded or redded.
Answer: view her study guide for deeper
◍ Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
Answer: a procedure in which the existing valve is left in place and a fully
collapsible replacement valve is delivered to the valve site through a
catheter
◍ coronary artery disease.
Answer: atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries that reduces the blood
supply to the heart muscle
◍ Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery.
Answer: surgical procedure performed to restore blood flow to the
myocardium by using a section of the saphenous vein or internal mammary
artery to go around the obstructed coronary artery
◍ Pre-op of cardiac surgery.
Answer: -H&P-pre-op teaching for patient and family-chest radiography,
ECG-Labs: CBC, electrolytes, PT, PTT, BUN, Cr-medication review
(aspirin is held 1-3 days before surgery!)-Pulmonary Function Tests and
, ABG if underlying pulmonary problems
◍ Cardiopulmonary bypass (heart/lung machine).
Answer: -Deoxygenated venous blood is brought to pump-Oxygenated
blood is placed into ascending aorta-Heparin delivered to prevent
coagulation-Body temperature is decreased to 28-32 C-cardioplegia solution
is applied consisting of potassiumresults in asystole-Blood is rewarmed at
completion of surgery-Cardiac function returns or electrical stimulation
used-Heparin is reversed
◍ Effects of cardiopulmonary bypass.
Answer: 1) Increased capillary permeability-Fluid shifts2) Hemodilution
-Anemia-Fluid shifts -Electrolyte dilution3) Altered
coagulation-Hypercoagulation (emboli)-Hypocoagulation (bleeding)4)
Damage to blood cells-Hematocrit reduced -Platelets reduced -Immune
response reduced5) Microembolization-From tissue debris, air bubbles or
platelet aggregation6) Increased systemic vascular resistance (SVR)
-Hypertension -Decreased cardiac output
◍ Ventricular rhythm: Pre-Ventricular Contraction.
Answer: Causes:- hypo/hyperkalemia- hypomagnesemia- hypocalcemia -
ischemia, MI, cardiomyopathies- acidosis- drugs: tobacco, caffeine, cocaine,
amphetamines, tricyclic antidepressants Problems:- usually tolerated and
paroxysmal- if sustained: CO will decrease and leads to Afib Treatment:-
underlying cause- amiodarone, lidocaine, pronestyl, beta blockers
◍ Post-op CABG.
Answer: -Temporary epicardial pacing-Chest tubes: Mediastinal and
pericardial; Pleural chest tubes-Cardiac and hemodynamic monitoring
◍ How do you manage hypothermia after cardiac surgery?.
Answer: -Hypothermia causes peripheral vasoconstriction --> reduces heat
loss-Core temperature monitoring-Rewarming should occur slowly to
prevent rapid vasodilation and hemodynamic instability --> drop BP-Prevent
shivering
