RCIS Study Guide 2026

Everything you need to pass the RCIS exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.

📋 RCIS Exam Format at a Glance

170

Questions

170 min

Time Limit

72%

Passing Score

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📚 RCIS Topics to Study (21)

Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump and Mechanical Circulatory Support · 7 cards Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump and Mechanical Circulatory Support · 7 cards Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump and Mechanical Circulatory Support · 7 cards Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology · 6 cards Cardiovascular Pharmacology · 6 cards Cath Lab Equipment and Instrumentation · 6 cards Congenital Heart Defects · 6 cards Emergency Procedures and Complication Management · 6 cards Peripheral Vascular Procedures · 6 cards Radiation Safety and Physics · 6 cards Sterile Technique and Infection Control · 6 cards Cardiac Catheterization Techniques and Contrast Media · 6 cards Cardiac Catheterization Techniques and Contrast Media · 6 cards Cardiac Catheterization Techniques and Contrast Media · 6 cards Vascular Access and Closure Devices · 6 cards Vascular Access and Closure Devices · 6 cards Vascular Access and Closure Devices · 6 cards Electrophysiology · 5 cards Hemodynamics · 5 cards Interventional Procedures · 5 cards Patient Care · 5 cards

✍️ Sample RCIS Questions & Answers

1. Which medication is commonly used to terminate supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) during an electrophysiology study?

✓ Adenosine

Adenosine is a medication commonly used to terminate supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) during an electrophysiology study. Adenosine works by temporarily blocking the atrioventricular (AV) node, which often interrupts the re-entrant electrical pathway responsible for SVT. Its rapid onset and short duration of action make it effective for acute termination.

2. Abciximab (ReoPro) is classified as which type of cardiovascular medication?

✓ Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor

Abciximab is a monoclonal antibody fragment that binds to the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor on the surface of platelets. This action blocks the final common pathway of platelet aggregation, preventing fibrinogen from linking platelets together.

3. When treating a stenotic lesion in the common iliac artery, which of the following is a critical consideration to avoid compromising blood flow to the contralateral leg?

✓ Avoiding 'jailing' the contralateral common iliac artery ostium

The common iliac arteries bifurcate into the internal and external iliac arteries. When stenting a lesion in one common iliac artery that extends to the aortic bifurcation, care must be taken not to 'jail' or cover the ostium of the contralateral common iliac artery. This could compromise blood flow to the other leg, a complication that may require complex 'kissing stent' techniques to resolve.

4. In which patient population is combined coronary angiography with right heart catheterization most commonly performed as a single procedure?

✓ Cardiac transplant patients for rejection surveillance and heart failure patients for hemodynamic assessment

Combined coronary angiography and right heart catheterization is routinely performed in heart transplant patients for allograft vasculopathy surveillance and in heart failure patients for hemodynamic assessment.

5. Radial artery spasm during transradial catheterization is best managed initially with:

✓ Intra-arterial nitroglycerin or verapamil through the sheath

Intra-arterial vasodilators such as nitroglycerin or verapamil administered through the sheath are first-line treatment for radial artery spasm.

6. When comparing IABP to Impella in terms of cardiac output support, which statement is most accurate?

✓ Impella provides significantly greater active flow augmentation than IABP

The Impella actively pumps blood (up to 5.5 L/min depending on model), providing significantly greater cardiac output augmentation than the IABP, which augments indirectly through counterpulsation.

🎯 Free RCIS Practice Tests

Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump and Mechanical Circulatory Support · 7 questions Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump and Mechanical Circulatory Support · 7 questions Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump and Mechanical Circulatory Support · 7 questions Radiation Safety and Physics · 6 questions Congenital Heart Defects · 6 questions Sterile Technique and Infection Control · 6 questions Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology · 6 questions Cath Lab Equipment and Instrumentation · 6 questions Cardiovascular Pharmacology · 6 questions Peripheral Vascular Procedures · 6 questions

📖 RCIS Guides & Articles

Your RCIS Study Path

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