MCQ 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 MCQ flashcards as text
A patient with a suspected cervical spine injury needs rapid sequence intubation (RSI). Which agent provides optimal intubating conditions with minimal hemodynamic effect in a normotensive trauma patient?
Answer: Etomidate 0.3 mg/kg IV + rocuronium 1.2 mg/kg IV
Etomidate provides hemodynamic stability during induction, and high-dose rocuronium (1.2 mg/kg) achieves intubating conditions comparable to succinylcholine without its contraindications.
Which of the following ECG findings is most consistent with hyperkalemia?
Answer: Peaked T waves, widened QRS, and a sine-wave pattern
Hyperkalemia classically produces peaked T waves, then PR prolongation, wide QRS, and ultimately a sine-wave pattern as potassium levels rise.
A patient on warfarin presents with a severe closed head injury. Which reversal agent is preferred for immediate anticoagulation reversal?
Answer: Four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F-PCC)
4F-PCC provides rapid reversal of warfarin-related coagulopathy within minutes and is preferred over FFP due to faster onset and smaller volume.
When performing end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) monitoring after intubation, a reading of 20 mmHg in a cardiac arrest patient with good CPR quality suggests:
Answer: Possible pulmonary embolism causing reduced pulmonary blood flow
Low ETCO2 (≤20 mmHg) despite good CPR in arrest may indicate pulmonary embolism or severe circulatory failure reducing pulmonary perfusion.
A patient is found pulseless and a shockable rhythm is identified. After the first shock, what is the correct next action per current ACLS guidelines?
Answer: Resume CPR for 2 minutes before re-analyzing the rhythm
After each defibrillation attempt, CPR is resumed immediately for 2 minutes before rhythm re-analysis, as the heart needs time to perfuse and potentially organize.
Which of the following is a contraindication to the use of succinylcholine during RSI?
Answer: Burns more than 48–72 hours old or crush injuries with suspected hyperkalemia
Succinylcholine is contraindicated in burns >48–72 hours old, crush injuries, and denervation injuries because up-regulated acetylcholine receptors can cause fatal hyperkalemia.
A 55-year-old female presents with sudden-onset tearing chest pain radiating to the back, unequal blood pressures in both arms, and no ST changes on ECG. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer: Aortic dissection
Tearing chest/back pain with unequal arm blood pressures and a normal ECG is the classic presentation of aortic dissection requiring emergent surgical evaluation.