Cardiac Emergencies Flashcards
6 cards from real AMLS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Cardiac Emergencies flashcards as text
Which ECG finding is most consistent with an acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in the inferior leads?
Answer: ST elevation in leads II, III, and aVF
Inferior STEMI presents with ST elevation in leads II, III, and aVF, reflecting ischemia of the right coronary artery territory.
A patient presents with sudden-onset tearing chest pain radiating to the back. Which condition should be suspected first?
Answer: Acute aortic dissection
Tearing or ripping chest pain radiating to the back is the classic presentation of acute aortic dissection.
What is the primary goal of early reperfusion therapy in STEMI management?
Answer: Restore coronary blood flow to salvage myocardium
Early reperfusion aims to restore coronary blood flow to limit infarct size and salvage viable myocardium.
Which rhythm is most commonly the initial rhythm seen in sudden cardiac arrest due to cardiac etiology?
Answer: Ventricular fibrillation
Ventricular fibrillation is the most common initial rhythm in sudden cardiac arrest of cardiac origin and is shockable.
A patient with chest pain has a 12-lead ECG showing new left bundle branch block. How should this be managed?
Answer: Treat as STEMI equivalent and activate cath lab
New LBBB with chest pain is treated as a STEMI equivalent, requiring emergent cardiac catheterization.
Beck's triad (hypotension, muffled heart sounds, and JVD) is associated with which cardiac emergency?
Answer: Cardiac tamponade
Beck's triad of hypotension, muffled heart sounds, and jugular venous distension classically indicates cardiac tamponade.