Cardiac Surgery Certification Exam Perioperative Care in Cardiac Surgery

Question 1

Which preoperative medication is typically continued until the day of cardiac surgery to prevent rebound angina?

Accepted Answer

Beta-blockers

Answer

Warfarin

Answer

Metformin

Answer

ACE inhibitors

Question 2

The most common early arrhythmia occurring after cardiac surgery is:

Accepted Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Ventricular fibrillation

Answer

Complete heart block

Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Question 3

Low cardiac output syndrome after cardiac surgery is best initially managed with:

Accepted Answer

Inotropic support and optimization of preload and afterload

Answer

Immediate reoperation

Answer

High-dose diuresis

Answer

Anticoagulation

Question 4

Cardiac tamponade after cardiac surgery classically presents with:

Accepted Answer

Hypotension, elevated CVP, and equalization of filling pressures

Answer

Hypertension, low CVP, and wide pulse pressure

Answer

Bradycardia and high cardiac output

Answer

Normal hemodynamics with chest pain only

Question 5

Which electrolyte abnormality most commonly predisposes patients to arrhythmias in the early postoperative period after cardiac surgery?

Accepted Answer

Hypokalemia

Answer

Hypernatremia

Answer

Hypercalcemia

Answer

Hyperphosphatemia

Question 6

The most reliable indicator of adequate renal perfusion in the immediate postoperative cardiac surgery patient is:

Accepted Answer

Urine output greater than 0.5 mL/kg/hour

Answer

Normal serum creatinine immediately postoperatively

Answer

Central venous pressure above 15 mmHg

Answer

Mean arterial pressure above 90 mmHg