CMC Technology & Digital Tools 5

Question 1

In the cardiac catheterization laboratory, radiation dose is most effectively reduced by which operator-controlled technique?

Accepted Answer

Maximizing distance from the X-ray source and using collimation to limit beam field size

Answer

Distance (inverse square law) and collimation are the most effective operator-controlled methods to reduce scatter radiation exposure.

Question 2

A subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) is contraindicated in patients who:

Accepted Answer

Require chronic cardiac pacing or antitachycardia pacing for ventricular tachycardia termination

Answer

The S-ICD lacks transvenous leads and cannot provide bradycardia pacing or antitachycardia pacing, making it unsuitable for patients requiring these functions.

Question 3

Which cardiac imaging modality uses radioactive tracers to assess myocardial perfusion and is considered the gold standard for detecting viable but hibernating myocardium?

Accepted Answer

Positron emission tomography (PET) with F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)

Answer

FDG-PET identifies viable hibernating myocardium by demonstrating preserved glucose metabolism in segments with reduced perfusion (perfusion-metabolism mismatch).

Question 4

When programming an ICD for a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which programming strategy reduces inappropriate shocks from T-wave oversensing?

Accepted Answer

Adjusting ventricular sensing threshold and enabling wavelet-based T-wave discrimination algorithms

Answer

T-wave oversensing is common in HCM due to tall T-waves; adjusting sensitivity and enabling morphology-based discrimination reduces inappropriate therapy.

Question 5

In a hospital's cardiac care unit, an electronic health record (EHR) clinical decision support alert fires when a nurse enters a QTc of 520 ms. This alert MOST appropriately prompts review of:

Accepted Answer

All QT-prolonging medications, electrolytes (K+, Mg2+), and consideration of telemetry monitoring for TdP

Answer

QTc ≥500 ms significantly increases risk of torsades de pointes; the priority is identifying and removing QT-prolonging drugs and correcting electrolyte deficiencies.

CMC - Cardiac Medicine Certification Practice Test

CMC - Cardiac Medicine Certification Practice Test

CMC Technology & Digital Tools 5