Practice Test GeeksCPEN - Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse Practice Test
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Cardiac Emergencies Flashcards

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

Read the first 7 Cardiac Emergencies flashcards as text

  1. A newborn presents with cyanosis unresponsive to supplemental oxygen, a single S2, and 'egg-on-a-string' cardiac silhouette on CXR. The most likely diagnosis is:

    Answer: Transposition of the great arteries

    Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) causes profound cyanosis unresponsive to O2, a narrow mediastinum, and the classic 'egg-on-a-string' X-ray appearance.

  2. Which prostaglandin is used to maintain ductal patency in a neonate with a duct-dependent congenital heart defect?

    Answer: Prostaglandin E1 (alprostadil)

    Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1/alprostadil) keeps the ductus arteriosus open in neonates with duct-dependent congenital heart lesions.

  3. A 'tet spell' in a child with Tetralogy of Fallot is best initially managed by:

    Answer: Placing in knee-chest position, giving morphine, and supplemental oxygen

    Knee-chest position increases SVR, morphine reduces hyperpnea and infundibular spasm, and oxygen helps — together these abort the hypercyanotic episode.

  4. Which ECG finding is characteristic of hyperkalemia that can directly cause cardiac arrest?

    Answer: Peaked T waves progressing to sine wave pattern

    Hyperkalemia causes peaked T waves → widened QRS → sine wave pattern → asystole/VF as potassium rises.

  5. A 5-year-old is found unresponsive after a submersion injury. Initial ECG shows sinus bradycardia at 30 bpm. What is the PRIMARY cause of bradycardia in this setting?

    Answer: Hypothermia and hypoxia

    Submersion causes profound hypoxia and often hypothermia, both of which suppress the sinus node and slow conduction throughout the heart.

  6. Myocarditis in children most commonly presents with:

    Answer: Fever, chest pain, and new-onset heart failure signs

    Pediatric myocarditis classically presents with a viral prodrome followed by fever, chest pain, and signs of cardiomyopathy/heart failure.

  7. Which finding on echocardiography is MOST consistent with Kawasaki disease complication requiring immediate intervention?

    Answer: Giant coronary artery aneurysm (≥8 mm)

    Giant coronary aneurysms (≥8 mm) in Kawasaki disease carry high risk of thrombosis and myocardial infarction, requiring anticoagulation.