AMLS Cardiac Emergencies 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which medication is the first-line antiplatelet agent given to patients with suspected ACS?
- Aspirin 324 mg chewed (Correct answer)
- Clopidogrel 300 mg
- Ticagrelor 90 mg
- Warfarin 5 mg
Correct answer: Aspirin 324 mg chewed
Aspirin 324 mg chewed is the first-line antiplatelet agent in suspected ACS due to its rapid absorption and thromboxane inhibition.
Question 2: A patient with wide-complex tachycardia and a pulse is hemodynamically unstable. What is the priority intervention?
- Synchronized cardioversion (Correct answer)
- Amiodarone 150 mg IV
- Adenosine 6 mg rapid IV push
- Immediate CPR
Correct answer: Synchronized cardioversion
Hemodynamically unstable tachycardia requires immediate synchronized cardioversion to restore organized rhythm.
Question 3: What does a Killip Class IV classification indicate in a myocardial infarction patient?
- Cardiogenic shock with high mortality (Correct answer)
- No heart failure signs
- Mild pulmonary congestion
- Moderate heart failure
Correct answer: Cardiogenic shock with high mortality
Killip Class IV indicates cardiogenic shock, associated with the highest mortality among MI patients.
Question 4: Which finding differentiates pericarditis from MI on an ECG?
- Diffuse saddle-shaped ST elevation across multiple leads (Correct answer)
- ST elevation in only inferior leads
- Q waves in V1-V4
- ST depression in aVR
Correct answer: Diffuse saddle-shaped ST elevation across multiple leads
Pericarditis causes diffuse saddle-shaped ST elevation in most leads, unlike the localized ST elevation seen in MI.
Question 5: Which vasopressor is preferred in cardiogenic shock when systolic BP is below 70 mmHg?
- Norepinephrine (Correct answer)
- Dopamine
- Vasopressin
- Phenylephrine
Correct answer: Norepinephrine
Norepinephrine is the preferred vasopressor in severe cardiogenic shock with profound hypotension due to its alpha and beta effects.
Question 6: An AMLS provider identifies a patient with third-degree AV block and bradycardia with altered mental status. What is the immediate treatment?
- Transcutaneous pacing (Correct answer)
- Atropine 1 mg IV
- Adenosine 6 mg IV
- Amiodarone drip
Correct answer: Transcutaneous pacing
Complete heart block with hemodynamic compromise requires transcutaneous pacing as immediate stabilization while awaiting transvenous pacing.
AMLS Cardiac Emergencies 2
Which medication is the first-line antiplatelet agent given to patients with suspected ACS?