CCS CCS Hemodynamics & Cardiac Monitoring

Question 1

Normal cardiac output (CO) in a resting adult is approximately:

Accepted Answer

4–8 L/min

Answer

Normal resting cardiac output is 4–8 L/min, calculated as heart rate multiplied by stroke volume.

Question 2

Which hemodynamic parameter best reflects left ventricular preload?

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP)

Answer

Pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) reflects left atrial pressure and is the best bedside estimate of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (preload).

Question 3

A patient's arterial waveform shows pulsus paradoxus greater than 10 mmHg. This finding is most consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Cardiac tamponade

Answer

Pulsus paradoxus >10 mmHg is a classic sign of cardiac tamponade, caused by exaggerated respiratory variation in ventricular filling due to pericardial constraint.

Question 4

Mean arterial pressure (MAP) is calculated using which formula?

Accepted Answer

MAP = DBP + 1/3 (SBP – DBP)

Answer

MAP = DBP + 1/3 (pulse pressure), reflecting that diastole comprises approximately two-thirds of the cardiac cycle.

Question 5

Elevated systemic vascular resistance (SVR) in a patient with low cardiac output most likely indicates:

Accepted Answer

Cardiogenic shock

Answer

Cardiogenic shock presents with low CO and high SVR (compensatory vasoconstriction), distinguishing it from distributive shock where SVR is low.

(CCS) Certified Cardiovascular Specialist Practice Test

(CCS) Certified Cardiovascular Specialist Practice Test

CCS CCS Hemodynamics & Cardiac Monitoring