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Cardiovascular Emergencies Flashcards

7 cards from real AEMCA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Cardiovascular Emergencies flashcards as text

  1. Which drug is the FIRST-LINE antiarrhythmic for stable wide-complex tachycardia of unknown origin?

    Answer: Amiodarone 150 mg IV over 10 minutes

    Amiodarone 150 mg IV over 10 minutes is the preferred antiarrhythmic for stable wide-complex tachycardia of uncertain origin per ACLS guidelines.

  2. A 72-year-old is in cardiogenic shock after a large MI. Which hemodynamic pattern is expected?

    Answer: Low BP, low CO, high SVR

    Cardiogenic shock is characterized by low cardiac output from pump failure and compensatory peripheral vasoconstriction (high SVR) causing low blood pressure.

  3. Nitroglycerin is CONTRAINDICATED in a patient with suspected MI if the patient has taken which medication within the past 24–48 hours?

    Answer: Sildenafil (Viagra)

    Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors like sildenafil potentiate nitrate-induced vasodilation, which can cause severe, refractory hypotension.

  4. A patient develops a wide-complex tachycardia at 220 bpm with a pulse and is becoming confused and hypotensive. What is the correct intervention?

    Answer: Synchronized cardioversion starting at 100 J

    Unstable wide-complex tachycardia with a pulse requires immediate synchronized cardioversion; the synchronized mode prevents shock delivery during the vulnerable T-wave period.

  5. Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO is administered during cardiac arrest. How frequently should this dose be repeated?

    Answer: Every 3–5 minutes

    AHA ACLS guidelines recommend 1 mg epinephrine IV/IO every 3–5 minutes during cardiac arrest.

  6. Which condition causes pulsus paradoxus — an exaggerated drop in systolic BP >10 mmHg during inspiration?

    Answer: Cardiac tamponade

    Cardiac tamponade causes pulsus paradoxus because pericardial fluid restricts ventricular filling, and inspiration-related changes in intrathoracic pressure exaggerate this effect.

  7. A patient in asystole undergoes CPR. Which medications are indicated per ACLS protocol? (Select the correct combination)

    Answer: Epinephrine 1 mg only

    Current ACLS guidelines removed atropine from the asystole/PEA algorithm; only epinephrine 1 mg IV every 3–5 minutes is recommended.