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Cardiovascular Emergencies Flashcards

6 cards from real CEN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 Cardiovascular Emergencies flashcards as text

  1. A patient arrives in rapid atrial fibrillation with a rate of 160 bpm and is hemodynamically unstable. What is the most appropriate immediate intervention?

    Answer: Perform synchronized cardioversion

    An unstable patient with tachyarrhythmia requires immediate synchronized cardioversion rather than pharmacological management.

  2. Which serum biomarker is most specific for myocardial necrosis and is elevated within 3–6 hours of an acute MI?

    Answer: Troponin I

    Cardiac troponin I is the most specific biomarker for myocardial necrosis, rising within 3–6 hours and remaining elevated for up to 14 days.

  3. A patient with chest pain has a 12-lead ECG showing ST depression in V1–V4. Which condition should be considered first?

    Answer: Posterior MI

    ST depression in V1–V4 can represent a posterior MI, which appears as a mirror image; applying posterior leads (V7–V9) will reveal ST elevation.

  4. What is the initial energy setting for defibrillation of ventricular fibrillation using a biphasic defibrillator?

    Answer: 200 J

    For biphasic defibrillators, the initial energy for defibrillation of VF is 120–200 J (commonly 200 J), while monophasic uses 360 J.

  5. Which sign is associated with cardiac tamponade in addition to hypotension and muffled heart sounds?

    Answer: Jugular venous distension

    Beck's triad for cardiac tamponade includes hypotension, muffled heart sounds, and jugular venous distension (JVD) due to impaired venous return.

  6. A patient converts from VF to a normal sinus rhythm after resuscitation. Which post-cardiac arrest intervention has the strongest evidence for improving neurological outcomes?

    Answer: Targeted temperature management (32–36°C)

    Targeted temperature management (TTM) at 32–36°C for 24 hours post-cardiac arrest has strong evidence for improving neurological outcomes in comatose survivors.