IBHRE Exam Questions and Correct Answers
Updated
Question 1
Which of the following therapies should be in place, immediately following complete
A-V nodal ablation for uncontrolled atrial fibrillation?
a) pacing 70 ppm, aspirin
b) pacing 70 ppm, discontinue anticoagulants
c) only pace if needed, warfarin
d) pacing 90 ppm, warfarin
Correct Answer
D. Pacing 90 bpm, Warfarin
Question 2
An idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy patient was implanted with an ICD due to
aborted sudden death. The patient was placed on an antiarrhythmic to decrease the
frequency of VT episodes. As a result of the drug therapy the patient experienced
thyrotoxicosis and exacerbation of the ventricular arrhythmias. Which of the following
drugs was the patient most likely administered?
a) sotalol
b) amiodarone
c) propafenone
d) flecainide
Correct Answer
B. Amiodarone
Page 1 of 146
,Question 3
The upper limit of vulnerability is:
a) not related to a patient's true DFT
b) the strength above which VF is no longer inducible
c) the energy it takes to induce a patient into VF
d) not useful clinically
Correct Answer
B. The Strength Above Which VF is No Longer Inducible
Question 4
An 8 yr/old boy collapses during a football game and is pulseless and not breathing.
The coach initiates CPR and EMTs are called. An AED arrives but only has adult pads.
What is the best course of action?
a) do not attach the AED since there are no pediatric pads
b) attach the AED to monitor the rhythm only
c) attach the AED and shock for VT/VF
d) continue CPR with bystander until EMS arrives
Correct Answer
C. Attach the AED & Shock for VT/VF
Question 5
Which of the following formulas represents the fundamental unit of work?
a) E=I2 x R x T
b) E=V x I x T
c) E=V2/R x T
d) all of the above
Correct Answer
D. All the above
Page 2 of 146
,Question 6
Over time, the battery cell impedance of a lithium iodine powered pacemaker:
a) increases
b) decreases
c) changes only at EOS
d) remains constant
Correct Answer
A. Increases
Question 7
It is believed that syncopal spells from vasodepressor syncope exhibit all of the
following EXCEPT:
a) increase in both alpha and beta adrenergic tone
b) vigorous squeezing of relatively empty ventricles
c) stimulation of cardiac C-fibers
d) stimulation of the medulary vasodepressor region with venous pooling
Correct Answer
A. Increase In Both Alpha & Beta Adrenergic Tone
Question 8
Which of the following has not been used as an indicator of battery depletion?
a) pulse width stretching
b) mode change
c) programmed amplitude reversion
d) telemetered battery impedance
Correct Answer
C. Programmed Amplitude Reversion
Page 3 of 146
, Question 9
Conditions required for reentry circuits would include:
a) unidirectional block of a pathway
b) differential conduction of the pathways
c) two pathways connected distally and proximally
d) all of the above
Correct Answer
D. All the above
Question 10
Which of the following would represent the normal range for a PCWP?
a) 0-4 mm/Hg
b) 4-12 mm/Hg
c) 12-20 mm/Hg
d) 20-40 mm/Hg
Correct Answer
B. 4-12 mm/Hg
Question 11
Which of the following would most commonly account for a failure to mode switch in
the presence of atrial flutter?
a) atrial blanking
b) insufficient atrial sensitivity
c) inappropriate atrial sensitivity
d) varying P-wave amplitudes
Correct Answer
A. Atrial Blanking
Page 4 of 146
Updated
Question 1
Which of the following therapies should be in place, immediately following complete
A-V nodal ablation for uncontrolled atrial fibrillation?
a) pacing 70 ppm, aspirin
b) pacing 70 ppm, discontinue anticoagulants
c) only pace if needed, warfarin
d) pacing 90 ppm, warfarin
Correct Answer
D. Pacing 90 bpm, Warfarin
Question 2
An idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy patient was implanted with an ICD due to
aborted sudden death. The patient was placed on an antiarrhythmic to decrease the
frequency of VT episodes. As a result of the drug therapy the patient experienced
thyrotoxicosis and exacerbation of the ventricular arrhythmias. Which of the following
drugs was the patient most likely administered?
a) sotalol
b) amiodarone
c) propafenone
d) flecainide
Correct Answer
B. Amiodarone
Page 1 of 146
,Question 3
The upper limit of vulnerability is:
a) not related to a patient's true DFT
b) the strength above which VF is no longer inducible
c) the energy it takes to induce a patient into VF
d) not useful clinically
Correct Answer
B. The Strength Above Which VF is No Longer Inducible
Question 4
An 8 yr/old boy collapses during a football game and is pulseless and not breathing.
The coach initiates CPR and EMTs are called. An AED arrives but only has adult pads.
What is the best course of action?
a) do not attach the AED since there are no pediatric pads
b) attach the AED to monitor the rhythm only
c) attach the AED and shock for VT/VF
d) continue CPR with bystander until EMS arrives
Correct Answer
C. Attach the AED & Shock for VT/VF
Question 5
Which of the following formulas represents the fundamental unit of work?
a) E=I2 x R x T
b) E=V x I x T
c) E=V2/R x T
d) all of the above
Correct Answer
D. All the above
Page 2 of 146
,Question 6
Over time, the battery cell impedance of a lithium iodine powered pacemaker:
a) increases
b) decreases
c) changes only at EOS
d) remains constant
Correct Answer
A. Increases
Question 7
It is believed that syncopal spells from vasodepressor syncope exhibit all of the
following EXCEPT:
a) increase in both alpha and beta adrenergic tone
b) vigorous squeezing of relatively empty ventricles
c) stimulation of cardiac C-fibers
d) stimulation of the medulary vasodepressor region with venous pooling
Correct Answer
A. Increase In Both Alpha & Beta Adrenergic Tone
Question 8
Which of the following has not been used as an indicator of battery depletion?
a) pulse width stretching
b) mode change
c) programmed amplitude reversion
d) telemetered battery impedance
Correct Answer
C. Programmed Amplitude Reversion
Page 3 of 146
, Question 9
Conditions required for reentry circuits would include:
a) unidirectional block of a pathway
b) differential conduction of the pathways
c) two pathways connected distally and proximally
d) all of the above
Correct Answer
D. All the above
Question 10
Which of the following would represent the normal range for a PCWP?
a) 0-4 mm/Hg
b) 4-12 mm/Hg
c) 12-20 mm/Hg
d) 20-40 mm/Hg
Correct Answer
B. 4-12 mm/Hg
Question 11
Which of the following would most commonly account for a failure to mode switch in
the presence of atrial flutter?
a) atrial blanking
b) insufficient atrial sensitivity
c) inappropriate atrial sensitivity
d) varying P-wave amplitudes
Correct Answer
A. Atrial Blanking
Page 4 of 146
