CEN EXAM 2 MOCK TEST WITH ANSWER
RATIONALES 2026
◉ Definition: Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, usually
involving the valves.
Answer: Endocarditis
◉ Terminology: ST-segment elevation on ECG indicates ________.
Answer: Myocardial infarction (STEMI)
◉ Scenario: A patient presents with jugular vein distention, muffled
heart sounds, and hypotension. What is the likely diagnosis?
Answer: Pericardial tamponade (Beck's triad)
◉ Fill in the blank: The term "afterload" refers to the resistance the
________ must overcome to eject blood.
Answer: Left ventricle
◉ Definition: Sudden cessation of cardiac mechanical activity
confirmed by absence of pulse, unresponsiveness, and apnea.
Answer: Cardiopulmonary arrest
,◉ Scenario: A patient with chest pain radiating to the jaw and
diaphoresis likely has ________.
Answer: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
◉ Terminology: A life-threatening ventricular rhythm with no
effective cardiac output.
Answer: Ventricular fibrillation
◉ Fill in the blank: Aneurysm refers to a localized ________ of an
artery.
Answer: Dilation or ballooning
◉ Definition: Inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart.
Answer: Pericarditis
◉ Scenario: A trauma patient presents with distended neck veins,
absent breath sounds on one side, and hypotension — this indicates
________.
Answer: Tension pneumothorax causing obstructive shock
◉ Terminology: Condition in which the heart cannot pump sufficient
blood to meet the body's needs.
Answer: Heart failure
,◉ Fill in the blank: The most common site for a deep vein
thrombosis is the ________ vein.
Answer: Popliteal or femoral
◉ Definition: Sudden blockage of a pulmonary artery by a thrombus.
Answer: Pulmonary embolism
◉ Scenario: A patient with tearing chest pain radiating to the back
and a different BP in each arm may have ________.
Answer: Aortic dissection
◉ Terminology: Refers to elevated arterial pressure persistently
above normal range.
Answer: Hypertension
◉ Fill in the blank: The medication used to dissolve clots in acute
STEMI is called a ________.
Answer: Thrombolytic (fibrinolytic)
◉ Definition: Shock resulting from failure of the heart to pump
effectively.
Answer: Cardiogenic shock
, ◉ Scenario: A patient presents with cold, pale extremity, pain,
paresthesia, and pulselessness — think ________.
Answer: Acute arterial occlusion (Peripheral vascular disease)
◉ Terminology: Abnormally slow heart rhythm (<60 bpm).
Answer: Bradycardia
◉ Fill in the blank: "Preload" refers to the volume of blood returning
to the ________.
Answer: Heart (ventricles)
◉ Definition: Irregular, chaotic atrial rhythm without distinct P
waves.
Answer: Atrial fibrillation
◉ Scenario: Patient with endocarditis develops sudden flank pain —
suspect ________.
Answer: Renal emboli (systemic embolization)
◉ Terminology: A life-threatening elevation in blood pressure with
end-organ damage.
Answer: Hypertensive emergency
RATIONALES 2026
◉ Definition: Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, usually
involving the valves.
Answer: Endocarditis
◉ Terminology: ST-segment elevation on ECG indicates ________.
Answer: Myocardial infarction (STEMI)
◉ Scenario: A patient presents with jugular vein distention, muffled
heart sounds, and hypotension. What is the likely diagnosis?
Answer: Pericardial tamponade (Beck's triad)
◉ Fill in the blank: The term "afterload" refers to the resistance the
________ must overcome to eject blood.
Answer: Left ventricle
◉ Definition: Sudden cessation of cardiac mechanical activity
confirmed by absence of pulse, unresponsiveness, and apnea.
Answer: Cardiopulmonary arrest
,◉ Scenario: A patient with chest pain radiating to the jaw and
diaphoresis likely has ________.
Answer: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
◉ Terminology: A life-threatening ventricular rhythm with no
effective cardiac output.
Answer: Ventricular fibrillation
◉ Fill in the blank: Aneurysm refers to a localized ________ of an
artery.
Answer: Dilation or ballooning
◉ Definition: Inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart.
Answer: Pericarditis
◉ Scenario: A trauma patient presents with distended neck veins,
absent breath sounds on one side, and hypotension — this indicates
________.
Answer: Tension pneumothorax causing obstructive shock
◉ Terminology: Condition in which the heart cannot pump sufficient
blood to meet the body's needs.
Answer: Heart failure
,◉ Fill in the blank: The most common site for a deep vein
thrombosis is the ________ vein.
Answer: Popliteal or femoral
◉ Definition: Sudden blockage of a pulmonary artery by a thrombus.
Answer: Pulmonary embolism
◉ Scenario: A patient with tearing chest pain radiating to the back
and a different BP in each arm may have ________.
Answer: Aortic dissection
◉ Terminology: Refers to elevated arterial pressure persistently
above normal range.
Answer: Hypertension
◉ Fill in the blank: The medication used to dissolve clots in acute
STEMI is called a ________.
Answer: Thrombolytic (fibrinolytic)
◉ Definition: Shock resulting from failure of the heart to pump
effectively.
Answer: Cardiogenic shock
, ◉ Scenario: A patient presents with cold, pale extremity, pain,
paresthesia, and pulselessness — think ________.
Answer: Acute arterial occlusion (Peripheral vascular disease)
◉ Terminology: Abnormally slow heart rhythm (<60 bpm).
Answer: Bradycardia
◉ Fill in the blank: "Preload" refers to the volume of blood returning
to the ________.
Answer: Heart (ventricles)
◉ Definition: Irregular, chaotic atrial rhythm without distinct P
waves.
Answer: Atrial fibrillation
◉ Scenario: Patient with endocarditis develops sudden flank pain —
suspect ________.
Answer: Renal emboli (systemic embolization)
◉ Terminology: A life-threatening elevation in blood pressure with
end-organ damage.
Answer: Hypertensive emergency
