Cardiovascular Emergencies

Common side effects of nitroglycerin include all of the following, EXCEPT: A: Hypertension B: Bradycardia C: Severe Headache D: Hypotension

A - Hypertension

The electrical stimulus that originates in the heart's primary pacemaker is controlled by impulses from the brain that arrive by way of the: Select one: A. autonomic nervous system. B. somatic nervous system. C. parietal lobe. D. pons and medulla.

A. autonomic nervous system.

Cardiogenic shock following AMI is caused by: Select one: A. decreased pumping force of the heart muscle. B. a profound increase in the patient's heart rate. C. hypovolemia secondary to severe vomiting. D. widespread dilation of the systemic vasculature

A. decreased pumping force of the heart muscle.

Which of the following blood vessels transports oxygenated blood? Select one: A. pulmonary veins B. pulmonary arteries C. superior vena cava D. inferior vena cava

A. pulmonary veins

What is the function of the left atrium? Select one: A. It ejects oxygenated blood into the aorta. B. It receives oxygenated blood from the lungs. C. It receives blood from the pulmonary arteries. D. It receives oxygenated blood from the vena cava.

B. It receives oxygenated blood from the lungs. Correct

Common signs and symptoms of a hypertensive emergency include: Select one: A. syncope, a weak pulse, and bleeding from the ears. B. a bounding pulse, a severe headache, and dizziness. C. pallor, cool skin, and a temporary loss of hearing. D. tachycardia, pain behind the eyes, and weakness.

B. a bounding pulse, a severe headache, and dizziness.

Narrowing of the coronary arteries due to a buildup of fatty deposits is called: Select one: A. arteriosclerosis. B. atherosclerosis. C. acute ischemia. D. angina pectoris.

B. atherosclerosis.

Which of the following signs or symptoms would you NOT expect to encounter in a patient with congestive heart failure? Select one: A. trouble breathing while lying down B. hypotension and flat jugular veins C. hypertension and tachycardia D. the presence of rales in the lungs

B. hypotension and flat jugular veins

Which of the following would cause the greatest increase in cardiac output? Select one: A. decreased stroke volume and decreased heart rate B. increased heart rate and increased stroke volume C. decreased stroke volume and increased heart rate D. decreased heart rate and increased stroke volume

B. increased heart rate and increased stroke volume

The purpose of defibrillation is to: Select one: A. prevent asystole from deteriorating into ventricular fibrillation. B. stop the chaotic, disorganized contraction of the cardiac cells. C. cause a rapid decrease in the heart rate of an unstable patient. D. improve the chance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) being successful in resuscitation.

B. stop the chaotic, disorganized contraction of the cardiac cells.

When treating a patient with chest pain, you should assume that he or she is having an AMI because: Select one: A. angina usually occurs after an AMI. B. the cause of the pain cannot be diagnosed in the field. C. angina and AMI present identically. D. most patients with chest pain are experiencing an AMI.

B. the cause of the pain cannot be diagnosed in the field.

Prior to defibrillating a patient with an AED, it is MOST important that you: A: Perform up to 5 minutes of effective CPR B: confirm that the patient is in cardiac arrest C: Ensure that no one is touching the patient D: Properly position the defibrillation pads.

C - Ensure that no one is touching the patient

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a term used to describe: Select one: A. the warning signs that occur shortly before a heart attack. B. a severe decrease in perfusion caused by changes in heart rate. C. a group of symptoms that are caused by myocardial ischemia. D. the exact moment that a coronary artery is completely occluded

C. a group of symptoms that are caused by myocardial ischemia.

The head and brain receive their supply of oxygenated blood from the: Select one: A. iliac arteries. B. subclavian arteries. C. carotid arteries. D. brachial arteries

C. carotid arteries.

The myocardium receives oxygenated blood from the __________, which originate(s) from the __________. Select one: A. coronary sinus, vena cava B. vena cava, coronary veins C. coronary arteries, aorta D. aorta, inferior vena cava

C. coronary arteries, aorta

Common signs and symptoms of AMI include all of the following, EXCEPT: Select one: A. sudden unexplained sweating. B. irregular heartbeat. C. pain exacerbated by breathing. D. shortness of breath or dyspnea.

C. pain exacerbated by breathing.

In contrast to monophasic defibrillation, biphasic defibrillation: Select one: A. is only effective for ventricular tachycardia. B. begins with 300 joules and escalates. C. requires a lower energy setting. D. delivers all shocks at 360 joules.

C. requires a lower energy setting.

During your treatment of a women in cardiac arrest, you supply the AED, analyze her cardiac rhythm, and receive a "no shock advised" message. This indicates that: A: The AED detected patient motion B: The AED has detected asystole C: She has a pulse and does not need CPR. D: She is not in ventricular fibrillation

D - She is not in ventricular fibrillation

When an electrical impulse reaches the AV node, it is slowed for a brief period of time so that: Select one: A. blood returning from the body can fill the atria. B. the SA node can reset and generate another impulse. C. the impulse can spread through the Purkinje fibers. D. blood can pass from the atria to the ventricles.

D. blood can pass from the atria to the ventricles.

A percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) restores blood flow to the ischemic myocardium by: Select one: A. placing a stent inside the coronary artery to keep it from narrowing. B. bypassing the coronary artery with a vessel from the chest or leg. C. scraping fatty deposits off of the lumen of the coronary artery. D. dilating the affected coronary artery with a small inflatable balloon.

D. dilating the affected coronary artery with a small inflatable balloon.

You are dispatched to a convenience store for a patient who passed out. Upon arriving at the scene, you find two bystanders performing CPR on the patient, a 58-year-old male. Your initial action should be to: Select one: A. assess the effectiveness of the bystanders' CPR. B. request a paramedic unit and quickly attach the AED. C. quickly attach the AED and push the analyze button. D. have the bystanders stop CPR and assess the patient

D. have the bystanders stop CPR and assess the patient

After the AED has delivered a shock, the EMT should: Select one: A. reanalyze the cardiac rhythm. B. assess for a carotid pulse. C. transport the patient at once. D. immediately resume CPR.

D. immediately resume CPR.

You are assessing a 49-year-old man who complains of chest pressure that began the night before. He is conscious, but anxious, and tells you he has a history of angina and hypertension. After applying high-flow oxygen, you expose his chest to auscultate his lungs and note that he has a nitroglycerin patch on his right upper chest. His skin is cool and pale, his blood pressure is 78/50 mm Hg, and his pulse is 110 beats/min and irregular. You should: Select one: A. ask him if the nitroglycerin patch he is wearing has improved his chest pressure, complete your secondary assessment, and transport promptly. B. immediately remove the nitroglycerin patch, apply the AED in case he develops cardiac arrest, and transport to the closest hospital. C. move the nitroglycerin patch to the other side of his chest in case you need to apply the AED, keep him warm, and transport without delay. D. remove the nitroglycerin patch, place him in a supine position and elevate his lower extremities, and prepare for immediate transport

D. remove the nitroglycerin patch, place him in a supine position and elevate his lower extremities, and prepare for immediate transport

In contrast to the sympathetic nervous system, the parasympathetic nervous system: Select one: A. prepares the body to handle stress. B. dilates the blood vessels in the muscles. C. causes an increase in the heart rate. D. slows the heart and respiratory rates.

D. slows the heart and respiratory rates.

Your patient is a 66-year-old female who has regained a pulse after three shocks with a semi-automatic external defibrillator, however, she remains unresponsive and is not breathing adequately. Which of the following should be done next? A: Deliver a Fourth shock to improve the patient's respiratory status B: Remove the AED and assist the patient's ventilations with a bag-valve-mask and supplemental oxygen, and keep re-assessing the pulse C: Apply a non-rebreather mask with high flow oxygen and keep re-assessing the pulse D: Assist ventilations with a bag-valve-mask device and supplemental oxygen and anticipate that the patient may go back into cardiac arrest.

D: Assist ventilations with a bag-valve-mask device and supplemental oxygen and anticipate that the patient may go back into cardiac arrest.

You are dispatched to a residence for a 56-year-old male with an altered mental status. Upon arrival at the scene, the patient's wife tells you that he complained of chest pain the day before, but would not allow her to call EMS. The patient is semiconscious, has rapid and shallow respirations, and has a thready pulse. You should: Select one: a. begin ventilatory assistance. b. apply a nonrebreathing mask. c. attach the AED immediately. d. obtain baseline vital signs.

a. begin ventilatory assistance.

You are the first on the scene of a 72-year-old patient in cardiac arrest. You have your kit, oxygen, and an AED. You have confirmed an open airway, apnea and pulselessness. Which of the following should you do next? Select one: a. Perform bag-valve-mask ventilations with supplemental oxygen for 30 seconds before applying the defibrillator pads b. Contact medical control before taking any action c. Apply the defibrillator pads and shock as indicated d. Perform one-rescuer CPR until additional personnel arrives

c. Apply the defibrillator pads and shock as indicated

Which of the following is the beneficial action of nitroglycerin? Select one: a. Slows down the heart b. Dilates only the coronary arteries c. Increases the strength with which the ventricles contract d. Dilates blood vessels throughout the body

d. Dilates blood vessels throughout the body

You are transporting a 50-year-old male patient whom you successfully defibrillated at the scene. You are 5 minutes away from the hospital when the patient goes back into cardiac arrest. Which of the following is the best course of action? Select one: a. Tell the driver to stop and assist you with CPR, and request another unit for assistance b. Initiate CPR and continue transporting c. Analyze the cardiac rhythm and deliver shocks as necessary d. Tell the driver to stop, analyze the cardiac rhythm, and deliver shocks as necessary

d. Tell the driver to stop, analyze the cardiac rhythm, and deliver shocks as necessary

You respond to an office building to find a middle-aged male in cardiac arrest. Coworkers are performing CPR and state that the patient has been down for approximately 10 minutes. You attach the AED, push the analyze button, and receive a "shock advised" message. You should Select one: a. transport immediately and request a paramedic unit rendezvous. b. continue CPR for 1 minute and reanalyze the patient's rhythm. c. call medical control and request permission to stop resuscitation. d. ensure that nobody is touching the patient and then defibrillate.

d. ensure that nobody is touching the patient and then defibrillate.