PCP Cardiac Care and ECG 2

Question 1

Atrial fibrillation on an ECG is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Irregularly irregular RR intervals with fibrillatory baseline and no distinct P waves

Answer

Atrial fibrillation shows an irregularly irregular ventricular response with fibrillatory (chaotic) baseline replacing distinct P waves.

Question 2

The classic ECG finding in hyperkalemia is:

Accepted Answer

Peaked (tent-shaped) T waves and widened QRS

Answer

Hyperkalemia progressively causes peaked T waves, PR prolongation, widened QRS, and can degrade to sine-wave pattern and cardiac arrest.

Question 3

A delta wave on an ECG is associated with which condition?

Accepted Answer

Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome

Answer

A delta wave (slurred QRS upstroke) indicates ventricular pre-excitation via an accessory pathway, characteristic of WPW syndrome.

Question 4

The energy used for defibrillation of ventricular fibrillation with a biphasic defibrillator is:

Accepted Answer

200 J

Answer

Biphasic defibrillation for VF/pulseless VT typically starts at 200 J (or manufacturer's recommendation).

Question 5

Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) is defined as:

Accepted Answer

Organized ECG activity without a palpable pulse

Answer

PEA is organized (or semi-organized) electrical activity on the monitor in the absence of a palpable pulse.

PCP - Primary Care Paramedic Practice Test