PAEA Emergency Medicine EOR Exam:
2026 Cardiology Review & Practice
Questions
Description
Struggling to master cardiology for your PAEA Emergency Medicine EOR Exam? This
targeted guide is your ultimate resource. We provide a focused Cardiology Review with 50
high-yield practice questions and detailed explanations, all updated to the latest 2026 standards.
Inside, you'll find critical topics like HFrEF vs. HFpEF management, ACS
(NSTEMI/STEMI) protocols, valvular heart disease murmurs, core ECG interpretation,
and modern pharmacology including ARNIs, SGLT2 inhibitors, and DOACs. Each question is
designed to mimic the exam's difficulty and style, testing your clinical reasoning and ensuring
you can confidently differentiate between similar presentations. Stop sifting through outdated
materials and endless notes.
Ready to Ace Your Exam? Download Your Focused Cardiology Study Guide Now and Walk Into
Your EOR with Confidence!
, PAEA Emergency Medicine EOR Exam: Cardiology Review &
Q&A (2026)
1. A 68-year-old patient with a history of hypertension and diabetes presents with progressive
dyspnea on exertion and orthopnea. An echocardiogram reveals thickened ventricular walls, a
normal ejection fraction, and a narrowed left ventricular chamber. On auscultation, an S4 gallop
is noted. Which type of heart failure does this presentation most closely describe?
a) Systolic Heart Failure
b) High-Output Heart Failure
c) Diastolic Heart Failure
d) Right-Sided Heart Failure
Answer: c) Diastolic Heart Failure
Explanation: The clinical picture of dyspnea with preserved ejection fraction, concentric left
ventricular hypertrophy (thick walls, narrow chamber), and an S4 gallop is classic for diastolic
heart failure. The S4 sound is generated by atrial contraction against a stiff, non-compliant
ventricle, which is the hallmark of impaired ventricular filling in diastolic dysfunction.
2. Which compensatory mechanism is most directly responsible for the fluid overload and edema
often seen in patients with chronic heart failure?
a) Sympathetic Nervous System Activation
b) Myocyte Hypertrophy
c) Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) Activation
d) Ventricular Remodeling
Answer: c) Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) Activation
Explanation: While all are compensatory mechanisms, the RAAS activation is the primary
driver of sodium and water retention by the kidneys. This leads to increased blood volume,
which increases preload and, initially, cardiac output. However, in chronic heart failure, this
results in the clinical signs of fluid overload, such as pulmonary edema and peripheral edema.
, 3. A 55-year-old male presents with significant peripheral edema, jugular venous distention, and
hepatomegaly. He reports early satiety and right upper quadrant discomfort. These findings are
most indicative of failure involving which part of the heart?
a) Left Ventricle
b) Right Ventricle
c) Both Ventricles
d) Atria
Answer: b) Right Ventricle
Explanation: These signs and symptoms are characteristic of right-sided heart failure. Failure of
the right ventricle leads to increased systemic venous pressure, which manifests as jugular
venous distention, peripheral edema, and hepatic congestion (causing hepatomegaly and RUQ
discomfort).
4. According to current 2026 guidelines, which of the following medication classes has
demonstrated a mortality benefit in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
(HFrEF) and should be initiated first, barring contraindications?
a) Beta-Blockers
b) Loop Diuretics
c) Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
d) Ivabradine
Answer: c) Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
Explanation: ACE inhibitors (or ARBs if intolerant) are the cornerstone of HFrEF therapy and
are typically the first-line agents to be initiated due to their proven mortality benefits. While
beta-blockers also reduce mortality, they are usually added after ACE inhibitors/ARBs once the
patient is stable and envolemic.
5. A patient with acute decompensated heart failure and pulmonary edema is treated with a
medication that provides rapid preload reduction and anxiolysis. Which agent in the "LMNOP"
mnemonic for acute pulmonary edema management is responsible for this effect?
a) Lasix
b) Morphine
2026 Cardiology Review & Practice
Questions
Description
Struggling to master cardiology for your PAEA Emergency Medicine EOR Exam? This
targeted guide is your ultimate resource. We provide a focused Cardiology Review with 50
high-yield practice questions and detailed explanations, all updated to the latest 2026 standards.
Inside, you'll find critical topics like HFrEF vs. HFpEF management, ACS
(NSTEMI/STEMI) protocols, valvular heart disease murmurs, core ECG interpretation,
and modern pharmacology including ARNIs, SGLT2 inhibitors, and DOACs. Each question is
designed to mimic the exam's difficulty and style, testing your clinical reasoning and ensuring
you can confidently differentiate between similar presentations. Stop sifting through outdated
materials and endless notes.
Ready to Ace Your Exam? Download Your Focused Cardiology Study Guide Now and Walk Into
Your EOR with Confidence!
, PAEA Emergency Medicine EOR Exam: Cardiology Review &
Q&A (2026)
1. A 68-year-old patient with a history of hypertension and diabetes presents with progressive
dyspnea on exertion and orthopnea. An echocardiogram reveals thickened ventricular walls, a
normal ejection fraction, and a narrowed left ventricular chamber. On auscultation, an S4 gallop
is noted. Which type of heart failure does this presentation most closely describe?
a) Systolic Heart Failure
b) High-Output Heart Failure
c) Diastolic Heart Failure
d) Right-Sided Heart Failure
Answer: c) Diastolic Heart Failure
Explanation: The clinical picture of dyspnea with preserved ejection fraction, concentric left
ventricular hypertrophy (thick walls, narrow chamber), and an S4 gallop is classic for diastolic
heart failure. The S4 sound is generated by atrial contraction against a stiff, non-compliant
ventricle, which is the hallmark of impaired ventricular filling in diastolic dysfunction.
2. Which compensatory mechanism is most directly responsible for the fluid overload and edema
often seen in patients with chronic heart failure?
a) Sympathetic Nervous System Activation
b) Myocyte Hypertrophy
c) Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) Activation
d) Ventricular Remodeling
Answer: c) Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) Activation
Explanation: While all are compensatory mechanisms, the RAAS activation is the primary
driver of sodium and water retention by the kidneys. This leads to increased blood volume,
which increases preload and, initially, cardiac output. However, in chronic heart failure, this
results in the clinical signs of fluid overload, such as pulmonary edema and peripheral edema.
, 3. A 55-year-old male presents with significant peripheral edema, jugular venous distention, and
hepatomegaly. He reports early satiety and right upper quadrant discomfort. These findings are
most indicative of failure involving which part of the heart?
a) Left Ventricle
b) Right Ventricle
c) Both Ventricles
d) Atria
Answer: b) Right Ventricle
Explanation: These signs and symptoms are characteristic of right-sided heart failure. Failure of
the right ventricle leads to increased systemic venous pressure, which manifests as jugular
venous distention, peripheral edema, and hepatic congestion (causing hepatomegaly and RUQ
discomfort).
4. According to current 2026 guidelines, which of the following medication classes has
demonstrated a mortality benefit in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
(HFrEF) and should be initiated first, barring contraindications?
a) Beta-Blockers
b) Loop Diuretics
c) Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
d) Ivabradine
Answer: c) Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
Explanation: ACE inhibitors (or ARBs if intolerant) are the cornerstone of HFrEF therapy and
are typically the first-line agents to be initiated due to their proven mortality benefits. While
beta-blockers also reduce mortality, they are usually added after ACE inhibitors/ARBs once the
patient is stable and envolemic.
5. A patient with acute decompensated heart failure and pulmonary edema is treated with a
medication that provides rapid preload reduction and anxiolysis. Which agent in the "LMNOP"
mnemonic for acute pulmonary edema management is responsible for this effect?
a) Lasix
b) Morphine
