Cardiovascular Emergencies Flashcards
7 cards from real CCRN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Cardiovascular Emergencies flashcards as text
A patient develops a wide-complex tachycardia at 180 bpm and is hypotensive but conscious. What is the appropriate intervention?
Answer: Synchronized cardioversion
Unstable wide-complex tachycardia with a pulse requires synchronized cardioversion.
Which rhythm is non-perfusing and requires immediate defibrillation?
Answer: Ventricular fibrillation
Ventricular fibrillation produces no effective cardiac output and must be defibrillated immediately.
A patient in stable narrow-complex SVT does not respond to vagal maneuvers. What is the first-line medication?
Answer: Adenosine
Adenosine is first-line for stable narrow-complex SVT because it briefly blocks AV node conduction to terminate reentry.
What is the most appropriate immediate treatment for symptomatic third-degree (complete) heart block with bradycardia?
Answer: Transcutaneous pacing
Atropine is often ineffective in complete heart block, so transcutaneous pacing is the appropriate intervention.
A patient is found pulseless with an organized rhythm on the monitor. What is this condition called?
Answer: Pulseless electrical activity
Pulseless electrical activity is an organized rhythm on the monitor without a palpable pulse.
In treating PEA, identifying and reversing underlying causes is essential. Which is a common reversible cause?
Answer: Hypovolemia
Hypovolemia is one of the reversible 'H's' causing PEA and is treated with volume resuscitation.
A patient with new-onset atrial fibrillation and rapid ventricular response is hemodynamically stable. What is a primary goal of initial therapy?
Answer: Rate control
For stable atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response, rate control is a primary initial goal.