ECC Cardiovascular Evaluation & Monitoring 4

Question 1

When interpreting a 12-lead ECG, pathological Q waves are defined as:

Accepted Answer

Q waves greater than 40 ms wide or greater than 25% of R wave amplitude

Answer

Pathological Q waves are defined as wider than 40 ms (one small box) or deeper than 25% of the R wave height, suggesting prior transmural myocardial infarction.

Question 2

A patient has a heart rate of 150 bpm with a narrow complex tachycardia on the monitor. The rhythm has no identifiable P waves. Which rhythm is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Atrial fibrillation characteristically presents with an irregularly irregular rhythm, no discernible P waves, and a rate typically between 100-180 bpm.

Question 3

During continuous cardiac monitoring of a post-MI patient, which finding requires the most urgent intervention?

Accepted Answer

Sustained ventricular tachycardia with pulse

Answer

Sustained ventricular tachycardia with a pulse requires immediate intervention with cardioversion or antiarrhythmic therapy to prevent deterioration to pulseless VT or VF.

Question 4

Which non-invasive assessment tool provides information about cardiac output trends at the bedside without arterial catheterization?

Accepted Answer

Non-invasive cardiac output monitoring via bioimpedance

Answer

Bioimpedance-based non-invasive cardiac output monitoring measures thoracic impedance changes with each heartbeat to estimate stroke volume and cardiac output.

Question 5

A patient in the ICU has the following vitals: BP 88/60, HR 122, RR 26, SpO2 90%. Lung exam reveals bilateral crackles. Which type of shock is most consistent with these findings?

Accepted Answer

Cardiogenic shock

Answer

Hypotension with tachycardia and bilateral pulmonary crackles indicates pump failure causing pulmonary congestion, which is the hallmark presentation of cardiogenic shock.

(ECC) Emergency Cardiovascular Care Certification Practice Test

(ECC) Emergency Cardiovascular Care Certification Practice Test

ECC Cardiovascular Evaluation & Monitoring 4