Free Cardiac Subspecialty Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which electrolyte condition will reveal shortened QT intervals and cardiac repolarization on an EKG?

Accepted Answer

Hypercalcemia

Answer

Hypercalcemia, an elevated level of calcium in the blood, causes a characteristic shortening of the QT interval on an EKG. Calcium plays a vital role in myocardial contraction and repolarization. Excess calcium accelerates the repolarization phase of the cardiac action potential, leading to a quicker return to the resting state and thus a shorter QT interval.

Question 2

What is measured by the horizontal component of the EKG?

Accepted Answer

Duration

Answer

On an electrocardiogram (EKG), the horizontal axis represents time. Therefore, the horizontal component of the EKG tracing is used to measure the duration of various cardiac electrical events. This includes intervals such as the PR interval, QRS duration, and QT interval, which reflect the time taken for electrical impulses to travel through different parts of the heart.

Question 3

A patient who has experienced one episode of syncope with reports of feeling lightheaded and dizzy presents. His blood pressure was 90/70 mm Hg, and the nurse noted his pulse rate as 40/minute. His EKG results point to a type II AV block in the second degree. What ought to be the patient's treatment objective?

Accepted Answer

Increase blood pressure

Answer

The patient's symptoms of syncope, lightheadedness, and dizziness, coupled with significant bradycardia (HR 40/min) and hypotension (BP 90/70 mm Hg), indicate inadequate cardiac output and poor perfusion to vital organs. While increasing the heart rate is a mechanism to improve cardiac output, the primary and most immediate treatment objective is to increase the blood pressure. Restoring adequate blood pressure ensures sufficient blood flow to the brain and other critical organs, thereby resolving the symptoms and stabilizing the patient's hemodynamic status.

Question 4

Which of the following conditions is treated with alpha-adrenergic antagonists?

Accepted Answer

Hypertension, pheochromocytoma

Answer

Alpha-adrenergic antagonists, also known as alpha-blockers, block the effects of norepinephrine and epinephrine on alpha-adrenergic receptors, primarily causing vasodilation. This property makes them effective in treating hypertension by lowering peripheral vascular resistance. They are also crucial in managing pheochromocytoma, a tumor that secretes excessive catecholamines, as they prevent severe hypertensive crises by blocking the vasoconstrictive actions of these hormones.

Question 5

Which of the following investigations can help distinguish between neurogenic and arterial claudication that is intermittent?

Accepted Answer

All of above

Answer

Distinguishing between neurogenic and arterial intermittent claudication requires a comprehensive approach, and all the listed investigations play a role. Doppler flow studies (e.g., Ankle-Brachial Index) and Real-time Duplex scanning directly assess arterial blood flow to diagnose or rule out arterial insufficiency. Digital subtraction angiography provides detailed anatomical visualization of arterial blockages. By confirming or excluding arterial causes, these tests indirectly help to identify neurogenic claudication when symptoms persist in the absence of significant arterial disease.

CSC - Cardiac Subspecialty Certification Exam Practice Test

CSC - Cardiac Subspecialty Certification Exam Practice Test

Free Cardiac Subspecialty Questions and Answers