Emergency Medicine EOR Exam | Actual Questions and
Answers Latest Updated 2026/2027 (Graded A+)
• Question
Dilated Cardiomyopathy: most common cause is ____. Others?
Correct Answer: alcohol; may also be idiopathic, myocarditis, or drugs (doxorubicin) -- 1
in 3 cases of heart failure are caused by dilated cardiomyopathy
• Question
What PE and EKG changes are seen with dilated cardiomyopathy?
Correct Answer: I. PE: S3, JVD, crackles - possible
II. mitral regurg
III. EKG: nonspecific ST and T wave changes, LBBB
• Question
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: is due to hypertrophy of the _____. PE reveals mitral
regurgitation, a ____heart sound, and prominent left ventricular impulse. EKG reveals
LVH
Correct Answer: cardiac septum; S4
• Question
Restrictive cardiomyopathy: often caused by a ____process, or post-radiation or post
open-heart surgery. What is the most common first symptom?
Correct Answer: --infiltrative process - amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, and hemochromatosis --
changes in myocardium --most common first symptom is exertion intolerance and fluid
retention, signs of right heart failure
• Question
Atrial fibrillation - regularly irregular - the most common sustained arrhythmia in adults -
what three treatments are used?
Correct Answer: I. 1. rate control w BB, CCB, or digoxin
II. 2. Anticoagulation w heparin & warfarin
III. 3. rhythm control w amiodarone or cardioversion
• Question
Atrial flutter - sawtooth pattern in II, III, aVF - what three treatments are used?
Correct Answer: 1. cardioversion if no contraindications 2. acute rate control tx w BB,
CCB - amiodarone, sotalol, quinidine, or procainamide 3. If site of reentrant is known,
catheter ablation
,• Question
Multifocal atrial tachycardia - noted in patients with COPD or severe systemic illness -
EKG shows multiple shaped P waves and differing PR intervals. ____are agents of choice?
Correct Answer: CCB
• Question
BLOCKS
1. ____=prolonged PR interval
2.____=progressive increase in PR until Pwave is blocked. 3._____=sudden block in P
wave w no change in PR 4._____=atrial and ventricular rhythm are independent of each
other.
Correct Answer: First degree; Wenckebach Mobitz type I; Mobitz type II, Third degree
block
• Question
A _____may develop after acute MI, PE, aortic stenosis and is due to a conduction delay
in the right or left bundles.
Correct Answer: Bundle branch block
• Question
Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia is a reentry tachycardia, commonly noted in
elderly patients with underlying heart disease. What treatment may be helpful before
using adenosine ie. the drug of choice?
Correct Answer: vagal maneuvers or antianxiety medication
• Question
What are some drugs associated with Torsades de pointes?
Correct Answer: tricyclic antidepressants, erythromycin, ketoconazole, haloperidol,
cisapride, disopyramide, pentamidine, sotalol, class I anti-arrhythmics
• Question
CHF - Systolic dysfunction means a problem with the ____. What drug is contraindicated?
Correct Answer: pump; CCB!
• Question
CHF - Diastolic dysfunction means a problem with the ____.
Correct Answer: compliance or relaxation of the heart during ventricular filling
,• Question
The ________principle means that as preload increases, the ventricle is stretched during
diastole filling and the ejection fraction is increased.
Correct Answer: Frank-Starling principle
• Question
_____is released from cardiac ventricles in response to increased wall tension.
Correct Answer: BNP - B-type natriuretic peptide
• Question
What is the pharmacologic therapy for heart failure?
Correct Answer: 1. diuretics for fluid retention
2. ACEi
3. vasodilators (hydralazine & nitrates)
4. BB for LV dysfunction
5. digitalis to increase cardiac contractility
• Question
Functional Classification of Heart Failure: ___-No cardiac symptoms with ordinary
activity. ___-Cardiac symptoms w MARKED activity but asymptomatic at rest ___-Cardiac
symptoms w MILD activity but asymptomatic at rest ___-Cardiac symptoms at rest.
Correct Answer: Class I, Class II, Class III, Class IV
• Question
Stage 1 Hypertension is defined as greater than ____. Stage 2 Hypertension is defined as
greater than ____.
Correct Answer: 140/90; 160/100
• Question
Hypertension Drug of Choice for: angina diabetes hyperlipidemia CHF Previous MI
Chronic Renal Failure Asthma, COPD
Correct Answer: I. Angina - BB, CCB
II. Diabetes - ACEi & CCB, avoid diuretics
III. Hyperlipidemia - ACEi & CCB, avoid diuretics/BB
IV. CHF - diuretics & ACEi, avoid CCB/BB
V. Previous MI - BB/ACEi
VI. Chronic renal failure - diuretics, CCB
VII. Asthma - diuretics & CCB, avoid BB
, • Question
Secondary hypertension is HTN due to an ______.
Correct Answer: identifiable cause ie. renovascular disease, coarctation of the aorta,
primary aldosteronism, Cushing's, Pheochromocytoma, OSA, renal parenchymal
hypertension
• Question
____hypertension is potentially life threatening - HTN plus rentinopathy,
cardiovascular/renal compromise, or encephalopathy.
Correct Answer: Malignant
• Question
Malignant hypertension bp? What is the rule of thumb for lowering?
Correct Answer: greater than 220/140; 10% in first hour and 15% for the next 3-12
hours, to normal over next 2 days
• Question
What is the agent of choice for BP lowering for patients with hypertensive
encephalopathy, intracranial bleeding, and heart failure? Use with what for dissecting
aneurysm?
Correct Answer: nitroprusside; propranolol -- clonidine can also be used but sedation is
common
• Question
Hypotension is defined as a systolic blood pressure less than _____mm Hg or a decrease
from baseline by more than 30mmHg. What are the 3 treatments for improving blood
pressure?
Correct Answer: 90mmHg; 1. IV Fluids 2. Vasopressors - dopasmine, dobutamine (risk is
aggravation of arrhythmias and increase myocardial oxygen demand) 3. intra-aortic
balloon pump
• Question
ST Elevations in II, III, aVF
Correct Answer: Inferior MI; right coronary artery
• Question
ST Elevations in I, aVL, V4, V5, V6
Correct Answer: lateral wall MI, left circumflex artery
Answers Latest Updated 2026/2027 (Graded A+)
• Question
Dilated Cardiomyopathy: most common cause is ____. Others?
Correct Answer: alcohol; may also be idiopathic, myocarditis, or drugs (doxorubicin) -- 1
in 3 cases of heart failure are caused by dilated cardiomyopathy
• Question
What PE and EKG changes are seen with dilated cardiomyopathy?
Correct Answer: I. PE: S3, JVD, crackles - possible
II. mitral regurg
III. EKG: nonspecific ST and T wave changes, LBBB
• Question
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: is due to hypertrophy of the _____. PE reveals mitral
regurgitation, a ____heart sound, and prominent left ventricular impulse. EKG reveals
LVH
Correct Answer: cardiac septum; S4
• Question
Restrictive cardiomyopathy: often caused by a ____process, or post-radiation or post
open-heart surgery. What is the most common first symptom?
Correct Answer: --infiltrative process - amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, and hemochromatosis --
changes in myocardium --most common first symptom is exertion intolerance and fluid
retention, signs of right heart failure
• Question
Atrial fibrillation - regularly irregular - the most common sustained arrhythmia in adults -
what three treatments are used?
Correct Answer: I. 1. rate control w BB, CCB, or digoxin
II. 2. Anticoagulation w heparin & warfarin
III. 3. rhythm control w amiodarone or cardioversion
• Question
Atrial flutter - sawtooth pattern in II, III, aVF - what three treatments are used?
Correct Answer: 1. cardioversion if no contraindications 2. acute rate control tx w BB,
CCB - amiodarone, sotalol, quinidine, or procainamide 3. If site of reentrant is known,
catheter ablation
,• Question
Multifocal atrial tachycardia - noted in patients with COPD or severe systemic illness -
EKG shows multiple shaped P waves and differing PR intervals. ____are agents of choice?
Correct Answer: CCB
• Question
BLOCKS
1. ____=prolonged PR interval
2.____=progressive increase in PR until Pwave is blocked. 3._____=sudden block in P
wave w no change in PR 4._____=atrial and ventricular rhythm are independent of each
other.
Correct Answer: First degree; Wenckebach Mobitz type I; Mobitz type II, Third degree
block
• Question
A _____may develop after acute MI, PE, aortic stenosis and is due to a conduction delay
in the right or left bundles.
Correct Answer: Bundle branch block
• Question
Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia is a reentry tachycardia, commonly noted in
elderly patients with underlying heart disease. What treatment may be helpful before
using adenosine ie. the drug of choice?
Correct Answer: vagal maneuvers or antianxiety medication
• Question
What are some drugs associated with Torsades de pointes?
Correct Answer: tricyclic antidepressants, erythromycin, ketoconazole, haloperidol,
cisapride, disopyramide, pentamidine, sotalol, class I anti-arrhythmics
• Question
CHF - Systolic dysfunction means a problem with the ____. What drug is contraindicated?
Correct Answer: pump; CCB!
• Question
CHF - Diastolic dysfunction means a problem with the ____.
Correct Answer: compliance or relaxation of the heart during ventricular filling
,• Question
The ________principle means that as preload increases, the ventricle is stretched during
diastole filling and the ejection fraction is increased.
Correct Answer: Frank-Starling principle
• Question
_____is released from cardiac ventricles in response to increased wall tension.
Correct Answer: BNP - B-type natriuretic peptide
• Question
What is the pharmacologic therapy for heart failure?
Correct Answer: 1. diuretics for fluid retention
2. ACEi
3. vasodilators (hydralazine & nitrates)
4. BB for LV dysfunction
5. digitalis to increase cardiac contractility
• Question
Functional Classification of Heart Failure: ___-No cardiac symptoms with ordinary
activity. ___-Cardiac symptoms w MARKED activity but asymptomatic at rest ___-Cardiac
symptoms w MILD activity but asymptomatic at rest ___-Cardiac symptoms at rest.
Correct Answer: Class I, Class II, Class III, Class IV
• Question
Stage 1 Hypertension is defined as greater than ____. Stage 2 Hypertension is defined as
greater than ____.
Correct Answer: 140/90; 160/100
• Question
Hypertension Drug of Choice for: angina diabetes hyperlipidemia CHF Previous MI
Chronic Renal Failure Asthma, COPD
Correct Answer: I. Angina - BB, CCB
II. Diabetes - ACEi & CCB, avoid diuretics
III. Hyperlipidemia - ACEi & CCB, avoid diuretics/BB
IV. CHF - diuretics & ACEi, avoid CCB/BB
V. Previous MI - BB/ACEi
VI. Chronic renal failure - diuretics, CCB
VII. Asthma - diuretics & CCB, avoid BB
, • Question
Secondary hypertension is HTN due to an ______.
Correct Answer: identifiable cause ie. renovascular disease, coarctation of the aorta,
primary aldosteronism, Cushing's, Pheochromocytoma, OSA, renal parenchymal
hypertension
• Question
____hypertension is potentially life threatening - HTN plus rentinopathy,
cardiovascular/renal compromise, or encephalopathy.
Correct Answer: Malignant
• Question
Malignant hypertension bp? What is the rule of thumb for lowering?
Correct Answer: greater than 220/140; 10% in first hour and 15% for the next 3-12
hours, to normal over next 2 days
• Question
What is the agent of choice for BP lowering for patients with hypertensive
encephalopathy, intracranial bleeding, and heart failure? Use with what for dissecting
aneurysm?
Correct Answer: nitroprusside; propranolol -- clonidine can also be used but sedation is
common
• Question
Hypotension is defined as a systolic blood pressure less than _____mm Hg or a decrease
from baseline by more than 30mmHg. What are the 3 treatments for improving blood
pressure?
Correct Answer: 90mmHg; 1. IV Fluids 2. Vasopressors - dopasmine, dobutamine (risk is
aggravation of arrhythmias and increase myocardial oxygen demand) 3. intra-aortic
balloon pump
• Question
ST Elevations in II, III, aVF
Correct Answer: Inferior MI; right coronary artery
• Question
ST Elevations in I, aVL, V4, V5, V6
Correct Answer: lateral wall MI, left circumflex artery
