BCEN Cardiac Emergencies 4

Question 1

A patient is in pulseless electrical activity (PEA). Which of the following is a reversible cause represented by the 'H's and T's?

Accepted Answer

Hypovolemia

Answer

Hyperglycemia

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Hypercholesterolemia

Question 2

A patient in asystole receives epinephrine 1 mg IV. What is the correct timing for the next epinephrine dose?

Accepted Answer

Every 3-5 minutes

Answer

Immediately repeat the dose

Answer

Every 10 minutes

Answer

Only once more after the initial dose

Question 3

A patient with symptomatic bradycardia at 38 bpm is given atropine 0.5 mg IV with no improvement. What is the next step?

Accepted Answer

Begin transcutaneous pacing

Answer

Repeat atropine up to maximum 3 mg total

Answer

Administer adenosine 6 mg IV

Answer

Administer amiodarone 150 mg IV

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the expected hemodynamic profile of cardiac tamponade?

Accepted Answer

Elevated CVP, hypotension, muffled heart sounds

Answer

Decreased CVP, hypertension, bounding pulses

Answer

Elevated CVP, hypertension, loud S3 gallop

Answer

Normal CVP, hypotension, clear lung fields

Question 5

Pulsus paradoxus greater than 10 mmHg is a hallmark finding in which cardiac emergency?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac tamponade

Answer

Aortic stenosis

Answer

Hypertensive crisis

Answer

Acute mitral regurgitation

Question 6

A patient post-cardiac catheterization develops sudden severe tearing chest pain radiating to the back with unequal blood pressures in both arms. What is the priority diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Aortic dissection

Answer

Pulmonary embolism

Answer

Re-occlusion of the stented coronary artery

Answer

Pericarditis

Question 7

A patient with acute decompensated heart failure has a BNP of 1,200 pg/mL and SpO2 of 88% on room air. Which is the priority intervention?

Accepted Answer

Apply high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask

Answer

Obtain a chest X-ray to confirm pulmonary edema

Answer

Administer furosemide 40 mg IV

Answer

Place the patient supine for better venous return