Cardiovascular System Disorders Flashcards
7 cards from real Physician Assistant practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Cardiovascular System Disorders flashcards as text
A 58-year-old man presents with exertional chest pain relieved by rest. ECG at rest is normal. What is the most appropriate next diagnostic step?
Answer: Exercise stress test
Exercise stress testing is the standard initial evaluation for stable angina when the resting ECG is normal.
Which finding on echocardiography is most consistent with cardiac tamponade?
Answer: Diastolic collapse of the right ventricle
Diastolic right ventricular collapse is the classic echocardiographic sign of cardiac tamponade due to elevated pericardial pressure.
A patient with hypertension develops a blood pressure of 210/120 mmHg with headache and papilledema. How should this be managed?
Answer: IV nitroprusside with continuous BP monitoring
Hypertensive emergency with end-organ damage requires IV antihypertensives with controlled, gradual BP reduction.
What is the primary mechanism of action of digoxin in atrial fibrillation?
Answer: Enhances vagal tone to slow AV node conduction
Digoxin slows ventricular rate in AF primarily by increasing vagal tone and decreasing AV nodal conduction.
A 70-year-old woman with dyspnea has an S3 gallop, bilateral crackles, and JVD. Which BNP level best supports acute decompensated heart failure?
Answer: BNP 850 pg/mL
BNP >100 pg/mL strongly supports heart failure; levels above 400-500 pg/mL are highly specific for decompensated HF.
Which valve disorder characteristically produces a mid-systolic click followed by a late systolic murmur?
Answer: Mitral valve prolapse
Mitral valve prolapse produces a mid-systolic click with a late systolic murmur heard best at the apex.
A patient on amiodarone develops thyroid dysfunction. Which pattern is MOST common?
Answer: Hypothyroidism
Amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid side effect, especially in iodine-sufficient populations.