AEMCA Cardiovascular Emergencies 3

Question 1

A 58-year-old presents with intermittent palpitations. The rhythm strip shows a regular narrow-complex tachycardia at 160 bpm with no visible P waves. Which vagal maneuver should be attempted first?

Accepted Answer

Valsalva maneuver

Answer

The Valsalva maneuver is the first-line vagal technique for stable SVT; it is safe, non-invasive, and has a reasonable conversion rate.

Question 2

Beck's Triad — hypotension, muffled heart sounds, and jugular venous distension — is the classic presentation of which emergency?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac tamponade

Answer

Beck's Triad describes the hallmarks of cardiac tamponade, where fluid compresses the heart and impairs filling.

Question 3

A patient on digoxin therapy presents with bradycardia, nausea, and yellow-green visual halos. Which electrolyte abnormality potentiates digoxin toxicity?

Accepted Answer

Hypokalemia

Answer

Hypokalemia increases myocardial sensitivity to digoxin by competing for the same Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase binding sites, potentiating toxicity.

Question 4

Which ECG change is an early indicator of right ventricular strain in a patient with massive pulmonary embolism?

Accepted Answer

S1Q3T3 pattern

Answer

The S1Q3T3 pattern (S wave in lead I, Q wave and T-wave inversion in lead III) is a classic, though non-specific, ECG sign of acute right heart strain from PE.

Question 5

A patient with stable angina reports chest pain that begins with exercise and resolves with rest within 5 minutes. This is BEST described as which type of angina?

Accepted Answer

Classic (stable) angina

Answer

Classic stable angina is predictably triggered by exertion or stress and consistently relieved by rest or nitrates within a few minutes.

AEMCA - Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant Practice Test

AEMCA - Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant Practice Test

AEMCA Cardiovascular Emergencies 3