PANRE Cardiology 4

Question 1

A 60-year-old woman with no prior cardiac history develops new onset palpitations. EKG shows absent P waves, irregularly irregular rhythm, and rate of 130 bpm. She is hemodynamically stable. What is the first-line rate control agent?

Accepted Answer

Metoprolol IV

Answer

IV metoprolol (a beta-blocker) is first-line for rate control in hemodynamically stable atrial fibrillation.

Question 2

Which lipid abnormality pattern is most associated with metabolic syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Low HDL with elevated triglycerides

Answer

Metabolic syndrome characteristically presents with hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL cholesterol, along with insulin resistance.

Question 3

A patient develops acute ST depression in V4-V6 during a stress test at 6 METs with chest pain and 20 mmHg drop in systolic BP. What is the appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Stop the test immediately and arrange urgent evaluation

Answer

ST depression with hypotension and chest pain at low workload indicates high-risk findings, requiring immediate test termination and urgent cardiac evaluation.

Question 4

Which medication has been shown to reduce mortality in patients with stable chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)?

Accepted Answer

Carvedilol

Answer

Carvedilol, a non-selective beta-blocker, is one of the three beta-blockers proven to reduce mortality in HFrEF (along with metoprolol succinate and bisoprolol).

Question 5

A 50-year-old man presents with tearing chest pain radiating to the back, unequal arm blood pressures, and a widened mediastinum on CXR. Which is the most appropriate immediate next step?

Accepted Answer

CT angiography of the chest

Answer

CT angiography of the chest is the preferred imaging modality to rapidly confirm aortic dissection and define its extent.

PANRE Test Practice Test

PANRE Test Practice Test

PANRE Cardiology 4