CSC CSC Pharmacology & Treatment Protocols

Question 1

Which medication class is first-line for managing symptomatic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)?

Accepted Answer

ACE inhibitors or ARBs plus beta-blockers

Answer

ACE inhibitors (or ARBs) combined with beta-blockers form the cornerstone of guideline-directed medical therapy for HFrEF, reducing mortality and hospitalizations.

Question 2

Adenosine is used in cardiac stress testing primarily because it:

Accepted Answer

Causes coronary vasodilation, revealing perfusion differences

Answer

Adenosine produces maximal coronary vasodilation, creating a 'steal' effect that unmasks perfusion heterogeneity in the presence of coronary artery disease.

Question 3

Anticoagulation with warfarin requires monitoring via:

Accepted Answer

INR (International Normalized Ratio)

Answer

Warfarin's anticoagulant effect is monitored using the INR, which standardizes prothrombin time measurements across laboratories.

Question 4

Beta-blockers are contraindicated in acute decompensated heart failure because they:

Accepted Answer

Reduce the heart's ability to compensate via increased heart rate

Answer

In acute decompensated heart failure, the sympathetic nervous system's compensatory tachycardia is critical; beta-blockers blunt this response and can worsen hemodynamics.

Question 5

Heparin anticoagulation during cardiac catheterization is monitored with:

Accepted Answer

Activated clotting time (ACT)

Answer

Activated clotting time (ACT) is used intraprocedurallyto monitor unfractionated heparin during cardiac catheterization and PCI, targeting ACT 250–350 seconds.

CSC - Cardiac Subspecialty Certification Exam Practice Test

CSC - Cardiac Subspecialty Certification Exam Practice Test

CSC CSC Pharmacology & Treatment Protocols