Fisdap Cardiology Practice Questions With Correct Answers

A 61 y/o M with chest pain took one dose of nitroglycerine prior to your arrival. He has experienced no relief. Vital signs are BP 88/44, P 58, R 22. What should you do? a. assist with the administration of aspirin b. apply oxygen c. transport immediately d. administer a second dose of nitroglycerine - Answer a. assist with the administration of aspirin He is hypotensive and doesn't meet the requirements for additional nitroglycerine. It is important to administer aspirin early when you suspect acute MI. Aspirin has been proven to benefit pts that are actively experiencing a heart attack. A 42 y/o M is unresponsive. He was found behind a restaurant and bystanders are unsure how long he has been there. What should you do? a. open the airway with a manual manoeuvre b. assist his ventilations c. check for a carotid pulse d. check for a medical alert bracelet - Answer c. check for a carotid pulse He is unresponsive, so this should be your next action. If he has a pulse then you can assess his airway and respiratory status. A diaphoretic 65 y/o M is experiencing a sudden onset of left jaw pain. Vital signs are BP 118/80, P 70, R 18. What should you suspect? a. acute coronary syndrome b. non-traumatic brain injury c. pulmonary embolism d. dental abscess - Answer a. acute coronary syndrome He is showing signs of ACS (coronary artery blockage). The blockage is preventing the heart muscle from receiving adequate amounts of O2. Jaw pain and diaphoresis are common findings in pts who are having an acute myocardial infarction. Where does the heart receive its nutrition from blood passing through? a. coronary artery b. pulmonary artery c. coronary vein d. aorta - Answer a. coronary artery The coronary arteries are responsible for delivering O2 and removing CO2 from the heart tissue. Coronary arteries start at the base of the aorta and wrap around the heart. The heart muscle is perfused during diastole. Which of the following would suggest a syncopal episode? a. brief period of unconsciousness b. high blood sugar c. prolonged period of confusion d. left-sided weakness - Answer a. brief period of unconsciousness The body muscles lose tone because the brain is not being perfused adequately. A 45 y/o F complains of weakness, SOB, back pain, and pressure in her chest. What should you suspect? a. hypertensive emergency b. dissecting aortic aneurysm c. spontaneous pneumothorax d. myocardial infarction - Answer d. myocardial infarction An acute MI is a blockage of an artery(s). The blockage deprives the heart muscle of oxygen and causes the heart to become ischemic. She is SOB and weak because her heart is not perfusing the body's tissue adequately (hypoperfusion). A 56 y/o M complains of epigastric pain that started an hour ago. He is diaphoretic and the pain is radiating into his left arm. What should you suspect? a. angina pectoris b. peptic ulcer disease c. myocardial infarction d. anxiety attack - Answer c. myocardial infarction The ischemia associated with MI can cause referred pain in the arm or discomfort in the upper abdomen. Without immediate treatment a MI can cause death of the heart tissue in about 20 minutes. A 48 y/o M suddenly becomes confused after taking nitroglycerine. He is sitting upright but is unable to follow your directions. What should you do? a. check his BGL b. obtain a stroke scale assessment c. place him in a supine position d. obtain a blood pressure - Answer c. place him in a supine position Nitroglycerine is a vasodilator. He is confused because his brain is not receiving enough O2 and glucose. Positioning him supine will help his brain receive the nutrients he needs without having to pump against gravity. This should help improve his mental status. An unresponsive 72 y/o F is pale with peripheral cyanosis. She has a pulse of 20 bpm. What should you do? a. contact medical control b. perform a sternal rub c. transport rapidly d. apply the AED and analyse - Answer c. transport rapidly She has a bradycardic heart rate. She needs medication or electrical therapy to speed up her heart rate and this will require either definitive care (hospital) or ALS intercept.