FISDAP Cardiology Exam Prep:
Practice Questions with Verified
Answers & Clinical Rationales
Questions 1-30: Basic Life Support & CPR
1. Which intervention or interventions would have the MOST positive
impact on the cardiac arrest patient's outcome?
Answer: Early CPR and defibrillation
Rationale: The "Chain of Survival" emphasizes early recognition, early
CPR, and early defibrillation as the most critical factors. CPR maintains
perfusion to vital organs while defibrillation is the definitive treatment
for shockable rhythms like VF/pVT. Delays in either significantly
reduce survival rates .
2. The AED gives a "no shock" message to a patient who is in cardiac
arrest. You should:
Answer: Resume chest compressions
Rationale: A "no shock" message indicates a non-shockable rhythm
such as asystole or PEA. High-quality CPR should be resumed
immediately for 2 minutes (5 cycles) before reassessing rhythm. The
priority is maintaining perfusion .
3. What is the maximum amount of time that should be spent
checking for spontaneous breathing in an unresponsive child?
Answer: 10 seconds
, Rationale: According to AHA guidelines, healthcare providers should
take no more than 10 seconds to check for breathing and a pulse.
Prolonged assessment delays lifesaving interventions .
4. When performing CPR on an adult, you should compress the chest
to a depth of ___ at a rate of ___.
Answer: 2.0-2.4 inches, 100-120 compressions/min
Rationale: AHA guidelines recommend compression depth of at least
2 inches but not exceeding 2.4 inches, with a rate of 100-120
compressions per minute. Proper depth ensures adequate cardiac
output .
5. What is the appropriate compression to ventilation ratio for adult
two-rescuer CPR?
Answer: 30:2
Rationale: For adult CPR, the 30:2 ratio applies to both single and
two-rescuer scenarios without an advanced airway. This ratio
maximizes coronary perfusion pressure while providing adequate
ventilation .
6. When checking for a pulse in an infant, which artery should you
palpate?
Answer: Brachial artery
Rationale: In infants, the brachial artery is the recommended pulse
check site due to the short, chubby neck making carotid palpation
difficult. The femoral artery can also be used .
7. When performing CPR on an adult or child, you should reassess the
patient for return of respirations/circulation every ____ minutes.
, Answer: 2 minutes
Rationale: After every 5 cycles (approximately 2 minutes) of CPR,
providers should briefly stop to reassess the patient for return of
spontaneous circulation (ROSC). This minimizes interruptions .
8. What is the preferred method of removing a foreign body in an
unresponsive child?
Answer: Chest compressions
Rationale: Chest compressions in CPR create higher intrathoracic
pressure than abdominal thrusts in an unresponsive child and are
more effective at dislodging a foreign body. After 30 compressions,
check the airway .
9. Cardiogenic shock is caused by:
Answer: Inadequate function of the heart muscle
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock results from the heart's inability to
pump sufficient blood to meet tissue demands. This can be caused by
AMI, arrhythmias, or mechanical problems .
10. Pericardial effusion is:
Answer: Collection of fluid between the pericardial sac and the
myocardium
Rationale: Fluid accumulates in the pericardial space, compressing
the heart and impairing filling. This can progress to cardiac
tamponade if untreated .
11. Cardiac tamponade occurs when:
Answer: Blood leaks into the space between the pericardium and
pericardial sac
Practice Questions with Verified
Answers & Clinical Rationales
Questions 1-30: Basic Life Support & CPR
1. Which intervention or interventions would have the MOST positive
impact on the cardiac arrest patient's outcome?
Answer: Early CPR and defibrillation
Rationale: The "Chain of Survival" emphasizes early recognition, early
CPR, and early defibrillation as the most critical factors. CPR maintains
perfusion to vital organs while defibrillation is the definitive treatment
for shockable rhythms like VF/pVT. Delays in either significantly
reduce survival rates .
2. The AED gives a "no shock" message to a patient who is in cardiac
arrest. You should:
Answer: Resume chest compressions
Rationale: A "no shock" message indicates a non-shockable rhythm
such as asystole or PEA. High-quality CPR should be resumed
immediately for 2 minutes (5 cycles) before reassessing rhythm. The
priority is maintaining perfusion .
3. What is the maximum amount of time that should be spent
checking for spontaneous breathing in an unresponsive child?
Answer: 10 seconds
, Rationale: According to AHA guidelines, healthcare providers should
take no more than 10 seconds to check for breathing and a pulse.
Prolonged assessment delays lifesaving interventions .
4. When performing CPR on an adult, you should compress the chest
to a depth of ___ at a rate of ___.
Answer: 2.0-2.4 inches, 100-120 compressions/min
Rationale: AHA guidelines recommend compression depth of at least
2 inches but not exceeding 2.4 inches, with a rate of 100-120
compressions per minute. Proper depth ensures adequate cardiac
output .
5. What is the appropriate compression to ventilation ratio for adult
two-rescuer CPR?
Answer: 30:2
Rationale: For adult CPR, the 30:2 ratio applies to both single and
two-rescuer scenarios without an advanced airway. This ratio
maximizes coronary perfusion pressure while providing adequate
ventilation .
6. When checking for a pulse in an infant, which artery should you
palpate?
Answer: Brachial artery
Rationale: In infants, the brachial artery is the recommended pulse
check site due to the short, chubby neck making carotid palpation
difficult. The femoral artery can also be used .
7. When performing CPR on an adult or child, you should reassess the
patient for return of respirations/circulation every ____ minutes.
, Answer: 2 minutes
Rationale: After every 5 cycles (approximately 2 minutes) of CPR,
providers should briefly stop to reassess the patient for return of
spontaneous circulation (ROSC). This minimizes interruptions .
8. What is the preferred method of removing a foreign body in an
unresponsive child?
Answer: Chest compressions
Rationale: Chest compressions in CPR create higher intrathoracic
pressure than abdominal thrusts in an unresponsive child and are
more effective at dislodging a foreign body. After 30 compressions,
check the airway .
9. Cardiogenic shock is caused by:
Answer: Inadequate function of the heart muscle
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock results from the heart's inability to
pump sufficient blood to meet tissue demands. This can be caused by
AMI, arrhythmias, or mechanical problems .
10. Pericardial effusion is:
Answer: Collection of fluid between the pericardial sac and the
myocardium
Rationale: Fluid accumulates in the pericardial space, compressing
the heart and impairing filling. This can progress to cardiac
tamponade if untreated .
11. Cardiac tamponade occurs when:
Answer: Blood leaks into the space between the pericardium and
pericardial sac
