1. Which of the following arrhythmias is associated with a very rapid ventricular rate and is often
seen in patients with ischemic heart disease?
A. Ventricular fibrillation
B. Atrial flutter
C. Ventricular tachycardia
D. First-degree AV block
Answer: C) Ventricular tachycardia
Rationale: Ventricular tachycardia is characterized by a rapid heart rate originating from the
ventricles. It is commonly seen in patients with ischemic heart disease and can be life-
threatening if untreated.
2. Which of the following is a characteristic feature of a premature ventricular contraction (PVC)
on an ECG?
A. A premature, wide QRS complex without a preceding P wave
B. A narrow QRS complex with a compensatory pause
C. An early P wave followed by a normal QRS complex
D. A prolonged PR interval with an absent QRS complex
Answer: A) A premature, wide QRS complex without a preceding P wave
Rationale: PVCs are premature depolarizations originating from the ventricles. They are
characterized by wide, bizarre QRS complexes, which occur before the next expected sinus beat.
There is typically no preceding P wave.
3. Which of the following medications is used for chemical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation?
A. Epinephrine
B. Amiodarone
C. Atropine
D. Dopamine
,Answer: B) Amiodarone
Rationale: Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic medication that can be used for chemical
cardioversion of atrial fibrillation, particularly in cases where electrical cardioversion is not
feasible.
4. Which of the following is the initial treatment for symptomatic bradycardia in an unstable
patient?
A. Atropine
B. Synchronized cardioversion
C. Defibrillation
D. Lidocaine
Answer: B) Synchronized cardioversion
Rationale: In unstable patients with bradycardia, synchronized cardioversion is indicated when
the patient has hypotension, altered mental status, or signs of shock. Atropine may also be used,
but cardioversion is the first-line for unstable cases.
5. Which medication is commonly used to treat bradycardia caused by sinus node dysfunction?
A. Lidocaine
B. Atropine
C. Amiodarone
D. Adenosine
Answer: B) Atropine
Rationale: Atropine is an anticholinergic drug that can increase the heart rate by inhibiting the
vagus nerve's effects on the heart. It is often used in cases of symptomatic bradycardia,
particularly when caused by sinus node dysfunction.
6. Which of the following is a typical characteristic of atrial flutter on an ECG?
A. A P wave with a sawtooth pattern
B. Irregularly irregular rhythm
, C. A prolonged PR interval
D. Wide QRS complexes
Answer: A) A P wave with a sawtooth pattern
Rationale: Atrial flutter is characterized by a rapid, regular atrial rhythm with a distinctive
"sawtooth" pattern of flutter waves (P waves), typically occurring at a rate of 240–400 beats per
minute.
7. What is the primary risk of untreated atrial fibrillation?
A. Stroke
B. Hypotension
C. Respiratory failure
D. Myocardial infarction
Answer: A) Stroke
Rationale: The chaotic atrial activity in atrial fibrillation can lead to the formation of blood clots
in the atria, particularly in the left atrial appendage. These clots can travel to the brain and cause
a stroke.
8. Which of the following is a defining feature of a third-degree heart block (complete block)?
A. P waves are seen at a slower rate than the QRS complex.
B. The PR interval is progressively lengthening.
C. P waves and QRS complexes are dissociated.
D. The QRS complex is narrow.
Answer: C) P waves and QRS complexes are dissociated.
Rationale: In third-degree heart block, there is no communication between the atria and
ventricles, leading to a dissociation of the P waves and QRS complexes. The atrial rate is faster
than the ventricular rate.
9. Which of the following treatments is recommended for patients with symptomatic paroxysmal
supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)?
seen in patients with ischemic heart disease?
A. Ventricular fibrillation
B. Atrial flutter
C. Ventricular tachycardia
D. First-degree AV block
Answer: C) Ventricular tachycardia
Rationale: Ventricular tachycardia is characterized by a rapid heart rate originating from the
ventricles. It is commonly seen in patients with ischemic heart disease and can be life-
threatening if untreated.
2. Which of the following is a characteristic feature of a premature ventricular contraction (PVC)
on an ECG?
A. A premature, wide QRS complex without a preceding P wave
B. A narrow QRS complex with a compensatory pause
C. An early P wave followed by a normal QRS complex
D. A prolonged PR interval with an absent QRS complex
Answer: A) A premature, wide QRS complex without a preceding P wave
Rationale: PVCs are premature depolarizations originating from the ventricles. They are
characterized by wide, bizarre QRS complexes, which occur before the next expected sinus beat.
There is typically no preceding P wave.
3. Which of the following medications is used for chemical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation?
A. Epinephrine
B. Amiodarone
C. Atropine
D. Dopamine
,Answer: B) Amiodarone
Rationale: Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic medication that can be used for chemical
cardioversion of atrial fibrillation, particularly in cases where electrical cardioversion is not
feasible.
4. Which of the following is the initial treatment for symptomatic bradycardia in an unstable
patient?
A. Atropine
B. Synchronized cardioversion
C. Defibrillation
D. Lidocaine
Answer: B) Synchronized cardioversion
Rationale: In unstable patients with bradycardia, synchronized cardioversion is indicated when
the patient has hypotension, altered mental status, or signs of shock. Atropine may also be used,
but cardioversion is the first-line for unstable cases.
5. Which medication is commonly used to treat bradycardia caused by sinus node dysfunction?
A. Lidocaine
B. Atropine
C. Amiodarone
D. Adenosine
Answer: B) Atropine
Rationale: Atropine is an anticholinergic drug that can increase the heart rate by inhibiting the
vagus nerve's effects on the heart. It is often used in cases of symptomatic bradycardia,
particularly when caused by sinus node dysfunction.
6. Which of the following is a typical characteristic of atrial flutter on an ECG?
A. A P wave with a sawtooth pattern
B. Irregularly irregular rhythm
, C. A prolonged PR interval
D. Wide QRS complexes
Answer: A) A P wave with a sawtooth pattern
Rationale: Atrial flutter is characterized by a rapid, regular atrial rhythm with a distinctive
"sawtooth" pattern of flutter waves (P waves), typically occurring at a rate of 240–400 beats per
minute.
7. What is the primary risk of untreated atrial fibrillation?
A. Stroke
B. Hypotension
C. Respiratory failure
D. Myocardial infarction
Answer: A) Stroke
Rationale: The chaotic atrial activity in atrial fibrillation can lead to the formation of blood clots
in the atria, particularly in the left atrial appendage. These clots can travel to the brain and cause
a stroke.
8. Which of the following is a defining feature of a third-degree heart block (complete block)?
A. P waves are seen at a slower rate than the QRS complex.
B. The PR interval is progressively lengthening.
C. P waves and QRS complexes are dissociated.
D. The QRS complex is narrow.
Answer: C) P waves and QRS complexes are dissociated.
Rationale: In third-degree heart block, there is no communication between the atria and
ventricles, leading to a dissociation of the P waves and QRS complexes. The atrial rate is faster
than the ventricular rate.
9. Which of the following treatments is recommended for patients with symptomatic paroxysmal
supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)?