SAEM Emergency Medicine Exam/ Q&A/ 2024-
2025.
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
How does cardioversion work? - Answer: used to stop tachyarrhythmias --> the impulse is
delivered at the peak of an R wave (prevents going into v fib)
What are 5 indications for cardioversion? - Answer: 1. ventricular tachycardia with a pulse
2. supraventricular tachycardias with hypotension
3. atrial fibrillation
4. atrial flutter
5. AVNRT
What are three indications for defibrillation? - Answer: ventricular tachycardia without a pulse
ventricular fibrillation
Page 1 of 8
, torsades de pointes without pulse
What are five indications for ICD? - Answer: 1. hx of sudden cardiac death
2. Brugada syndrome
3. CHF patients with EF < 35% on max medical therapy
4. long QT syndrome
5. hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
CPR should be conducted with chest compressions and breaths via bag mask in this ratio -
Answer: 30 chest compressions then 2 breaths
What are the top 3 causes of morbidity/mortality in acute chest pain? - Answer: ACS
pulmonary embolism
aortic dissection
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!
Page 2 of 8
2025.
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
How does cardioversion work? - Answer: used to stop tachyarrhythmias --> the impulse is
delivered at the peak of an R wave (prevents going into v fib)
What are 5 indications for cardioversion? - Answer: 1. ventricular tachycardia with a pulse
2. supraventricular tachycardias with hypotension
3. atrial fibrillation
4. atrial flutter
5. AVNRT
What are three indications for defibrillation? - Answer: ventricular tachycardia without a pulse
ventricular fibrillation
Page 1 of 8
, torsades de pointes without pulse
What are five indications for ICD? - Answer: 1. hx of sudden cardiac death
2. Brugada syndrome
3. CHF patients with EF < 35% on max medical therapy
4. long QT syndrome
5. hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
CPR should be conducted with chest compressions and breaths via bag mask in this ratio -
Answer: 30 chest compressions then 2 breaths
What are the top 3 causes of morbidity/mortality in acute chest pain? - Answer: ACS
pulmonary embolism
aortic dissection
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!
Page 2 of 8
