Practice Test GeeksCEN - Certified Emergency Nurse Practice Test
← All CEN Flashcard Decks

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 on warfarin presents with an INR of 8.5 and is actively bleeding. Which is the fastest-acting reversal agent?

    Answer: 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC)

    4-factor PCC provides the fastest reversal of warfarin by replacing all four vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, acting within minutes compared to hours for FFP or Vitamin K.

  2. Which ECG change is most characteristic of hyperkalemia when the serum potassium level is above 6.5 mEq/L?

    Answer: Peaked tall T waves

    Peaked, tall, narrow T waves are the earliest ECG manifestation of hyperkalemia and typically appear when potassium exceeds 5.5–6.5 mEq/L.

  3. A patient presents with wide complex tachycardia. Which clinical feature most supports ventricular tachycardia over SVT with aberrancy?

    Answer: AV dissociation on ECG

    AV dissociation, where P waves and QRS complexes are independent, is a hallmark of ventricular tachycardia and helps distinguish it from SVT with aberrancy.

  4. Which vasopressor is recommended as a first-line agent for septic shock when fluid resuscitation is inadequate?

    Answer: Norepinephrine

    Norepinephrine is the first-line vasopressor for septic shock per Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines due to its potent alpha-adrenergic effects and favorable safety profile.

  5. A patient with a history of heart failure presents with a BP of 70/40 mmHg, cool extremities, and an elevated BNP. Which hemodynamic profile is most consistent with cardiogenic shock?

    Answer: High CVP, high PCWP, low CO

    Cardiogenic shock is characterized by elevated filling pressures (high CVP and PCWP) and reduced cardiac output due to pump failure.

  6. When performing pericardiocentesis for cardiac tamponade, the needle is inserted at which anatomical location?

    Answer: Subxiphoid angle directed toward the left shoulder

    The subxiphoid approach, directing the needle at a 45-degree angle toward the left shoulder, is the safest route for emergency pericardiocentesis.