EMT FISDAP Cardiology Examination
ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | EMT
FISDAP Cardiology | Verified Q&A |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
LEVEL 1: RECALL/RECOGNITION (Questions 1–40)
Q1: Which coronary artery supplies blood to the left ventricle and interventricular septum?
A. Right coronary artery
B. Left anterior descending artery [CORRECT]
C. Circumflex artery
D. Posterior descending artery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The left anterior descending (LAD) artery, a branch of the left main coronary artery, supplies
the anterior wall of the left ventricle and the anterior two-thirds of the interventricular septum.
Occlusion of the LAD is often termed the "widow maker" due to the extensive myocardial territory it
perfuses and the high mortality associated with proximal occlusion. (Source: AHA 2020 ACLS Guidelines;
National EMS Education Standards, Cardiology Module)
Q2: In the cardiac conduction system, which structure serves as the primary pacemaker of the heart?
A. Bundle of His
B. Atrioventricular (AV) node
C. Sinoatrial (SA) node [CORRECT]
D. Purkinje fibers
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The sinoatrial (SA) node, located in the right atrial wall near the superior vena cava opening,
is the heart's primary pacemaker with an intrinsic firing rate of 60–100 beats per minute. It initiates the
,electrical impulse that spreads through the atria, causing atrial depolarization and contraction. (Source:
AHA 2020 ACLS Guidelines; FISDAP Cardiology Content Outline)
Q3: Which chamber of the heart receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary circulation?
A. Right atrium
B. Right ventricle
C. Left atrium [CORRECT]
D. Left ventricle
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins (the only veins in the
body that carry oxygenated blood) and serves as a reservoir before blood passes through the mitral
(bicuspid) valve into the left ventricle. The left atrium has relatively thin walls compared to the left
ventricle, as it only needs to pump blood a short distance into the ventricle. (Source: National EMS
Education Standards, Cardiovascular Anatomy)
Q4: The mitral (bicuspid) valve is located between which two cardiac structures?
A. Right atrium and right ventricle
B. Left atrium and left ventricle [CORRECT]
C. Left ventricle and aorta
D. Right ventricle and pulmonary artery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The mitral (bicuspid) valve is situated between the left atrium and left ventricle. It consists of
two leaflets (anterior and posterior) anchored by chordae tendineae to papillary muscles, preventing
backflow of blood into the left atrium during ventricular systole. The name "bicuspid" refers to its two
cusps, distinguishing it from the tricuspid valve's three cusps. (Source: National EMS Education
Standards, Cardiovascular Anatomy)
Q5: Which EKG lead is most commonly used to monitor a single-lead rhythm strip in the prehospital
setting?
A. Lead I
B. Lead II [CORRECT]
C. Lead III
,D. Lead aVF
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lead II is the standard monitoring lead in prehospital care because it provides the best
visualization of P waves, which is essential for identifying atrial rhythms and differentiating sinus rhythm
from atrial arrhythmias. The positive electrode is placed on the left leg, and the negative electrode on
the right arm, creating a vector that optimizes P wave visibility. (Source: AHA 2020 ACLS Guidelines;
FISDAP Cardiology Testing Blueprint)
Q6: What is the normal PR interval on a standard EKG?
A. 0.04–0.10 seconds
B. 0.06–0.12 seconds
C. 0.12–0.20 seconds [CORRECT]
D. 0.20–0.40 seconds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The normal PR interval is 0.12–0.20 seconds (3–5 small boxes on standard EKG paper where
each small box = 0.04 seconds). This interval represents the time from the beginning of atrial
depolarization (P wave) to the beginning of ventricular depolarization (QRS complex), including
conduction through the AV node, bundle of His, and bundle branches. A PR interval >0.20 seconds
indicates first-degree AV block. (Source: AHA 2020 ACLS Guidelines; Dubin, Rapid Interpretation of
EKG's)
Q7: Which of the following is the correct sequence of the cardiac conduction pathway?
A. SA node → AV node → bundle of His → bundle branches → Purkinje fibers *CORRECT+
B. AV node → SA node → bundle of His → Purkinje fibers → bundle branches
C. SA node → bundle of His → AV node → bundle branches → Purkinje fibers
D. AV node → bundle branches → bundle of His → Purkinje fibers → SA node
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The normal conduction pathway begins with impulse generation at the SA node (60–100
bpm), propagation through atrial myocardium to the AV node (0.04-second delay allowing atrial
kick/ventricular filling), transmission through the bundle of His into the right and left bundle branches,
and finally rapid distribution through the Purkinje fiber network to depolarize the ventricular
myocardium. This organized sequence ensures coordinated atrial and ventricular contraction. (Source:
AHA 2020 ACLS Guidelines; National EMS Education Standards)
, Q8: Preload is best defined as:
A. The resistance the left ventricle must overcome to eject blood
B. The volume of blood in the ventricle at the end of diastole [CORRECT]
C. The force of myocardial contraction independent of preload and afterload
D. The pressure within the aorta during ventricular systole
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Preload is defined as the ventricular wall stress at the end of diastole, clinically approximated
by the ventricular end-diastolic volume (VEDV). It represents the degree of myocardial stretch prior to
contraction, directly related to the Frank-Starling mechanism: increased preload (within physiologic
limits) increases stroke volume. In clinical practice, preload is estimated by CVP (right ventricle) or
pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (left ventricle). (Source: Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical
Physiology; National EMS Education Standards, Cardiovascular Physiology)
Q9: Afterload is best defined as:
A. The volume of blood in the ventricle at the end of diastole
B. The resistance the ventricle must overcome to eject blood [CORRECT]
C. The intrinsic ability of the cardiac muscle to contract
D. The rate of venous return to the right atrium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Afterload represents the resistance or impedance the ventricle must overcome to eject blood
during systole. For the left ventricle, afterload is primarily determined by systemic vascular resistance
(SVR) and aortic compliance; for the right ventricle, by pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Increased
afterload (e.g., severe hypertension, aortic stenosis) increases myocardial oxygen demand and can
precipitate heart failure. (Source: Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology; AHA 2020 ACLS
Guidelines)
Q10: Contractility is best defined as:
A. The volume of blood returning to the heart
B. The resistance against which the heart pumps
C. The intrinsic force of myocardial contraction independent of preload and afterload [CORRECT]
D. The heart rate multiplied by stroke volume
ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | EMT
FISDAP Cardiology | Verified Q&A |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
LEVEL 1: RECALL/RECOGNITION (Questions 1–40)
Q1: Which coronary artery supplies blood to the left ventricle and interventricular septum?
A. Right coronary artery
B. Left anterior descending artery [CORRECT]
C. Circumflex artery
D. Posterior descending artery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The left anterior descending (LAD) artery, a branch of the left main coronary artery, supplies
the anterior wall of the left ventricle and the anterior two-thirds of the interventricular septum.
Occlusion of the LAD is often termed the "widow maker" due to the extensive myocardial territory it
perfuses and the high mortality associated with proximal occlusion. (Source: AHA 2020 ACLS Guidelines;
National EMS Education Standards, Cardiology Module)
Q2: In the cardiac conduction system, which structure serves as the primary pacemaker of the heart?
A. Bundle of His
B. Atrioventricular (AV) node
C. Sinoatrial (SA) node [CORRECT]
D. Purkinje fibers
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The sinoatrial (SA) node, located in the right atrial wall near the superior vena cava opening,
is the heart's primary pacemaker with an intrinsic firing rate of 60–100 beats per minute. It initiates the
,electrical impulse that spreads through the atria, causing atrial depolarization and contraction. (Source:
AHA 2020 ACLS Guidelines; FISDAP Cardiology Content Outline)
Q3: Which chamber of the heart receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary circulation?
A. Right atrium
B. Right ventricle
C. Left atrium [CORRECT]
D. Left ventricle
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins (the only veins in the
body that carry oxygenated blood) and serves as a reservoir before blood passes through the mitral
(bicuspid) valve into the left ventricle. The left atrium has relatively thin walls compared to the left
ventricle, as it only needs to pump blood a short distance into the ventricle. (Source: National EMS
Education Standards, Cardiovascular Anatomy)
Q4: The mitral (bicuspid) valve is located between which two cardiac structures?
A. Right atrium and right ventricle
B. Left atrium and left ventricle [CORRECT]
C. Left ventricle and aorta
D. Right ventricle and pulmonary artery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The mitral (bicuspid) valve is situated between the left atrium and left ventricle. It consists of
two leaflets (anterior and posterior) anchored by chordae tendineae to papillary muscles, preventing
backflow of blood into the left atrium during ventricular systole. The name "bicuspid" refers to its two
cusps, distinguishing it from the tricuspid valve's three cusps. (Source: National EMS Education
Standards, Cardiovascular Anatomy)
Q5: Which EKG lead is most commonly used to monitor a single-lead rhythm strip in the prehospital
setting?
A. Lead I
B. Lead II [CORRECT]
C. Lead III
,D. Lead aVF
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lead II is the standard monitoring lead in prehospital care because it provides the best
visualization of P waves, which is essential for identifying atrial rhythms and differentiating sinus rhythm
from atrial arrhythmias. The positive electrode is placed on the left leg, and the negative electrode on
the right arm, creating a vector that optimizes P wave visibility. (Source: AHA 2020 ACLS Guidelines;
FISDAP Cardiology Testing Blueprint)
Q6: What is the normal PR interval on a standard EKG?
A. 0.04–0.10 seconds
B. 0.06–0.12 seconds
C. 0.12–0.20 seconds [CORRECT]
D. 0.20–0.40 seconds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The normal PR interval is 0.12–0.20 seconds (3–5 small boxes on standard EKG paper where
each small box = 0.04 seconds). This interval represents the time from the beginning of atrial
depolarization (P wave) to the beginning of ventricular depolarization (QRS complex), including
conduction through the AV node, bundle of His, and bundle branches. A PR interval >0.20 seconds
indicates first-degree AV block. (Source: AHA 2020 ACLS Guidelines; Dubin, Rapid Interpretation of
EKG's)
Q7: Which of the following is the correct sequence of the cardiac conduction pathway?
A. SA node → AV node → bundle of His → bundle branches → Purkinje fibers *CORRECT+
B. AV node → SA node → bundle of His → Purkinje fibers → bundle branches
C. SA node → bundle of His → AV node → bundle branches → Purkinje fibers
D. AV node → bundle branches → bundle of His → Purkinje fibers → SA node
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The normal conduction pathway begins with impulse generation at the SA node (60–100
bpm), propagation through atrial myocardium to the AV node (0.04-second delay allowing atrial
kick/ventricular filling), transmission through the bundle of His into the right and left bundle branches,
and finally rapid distribution through the Purkinje fiber network to depolarize the ventricular
myocardium. This organized sequence ensures coordinated atrial and ventricular contraction. (Source:
AHA 2020 ACLS Guidelines; National EMS Education Standards)
, Q8: Preload is best defined as:
A. The resistance the left ventricle must overcome to eject blood
B. The volume of blood in the ventricle at the end of diastole [CORRECT]
C. The force of myocardial contraction independent of preload and afterload
D. The pressure within the aorta during ventricular systole
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Preload is defined as the ventricular wall stress at the end of diastole, clinically approximated
by the ventricular end-diastolic volume (VEDV). It represents the degree of myocardial stretch prior to
contraction, directly related to the Frank-Starling mechanism: increased preload (within physiologic
limits) increases stroke volume. In clinical practice, preload is estimated by CVP (right ventricle) or
pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (left ventricle). (Source: Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical
Physiology; National EMS Education Standards, Cardiovascular Physiology)
Q9: Afterload is best defined as:
A. The volume of blood in the ventricle at the end of diastole
B. The resistance the ventricle must overcome to eject blood [CORRECT]
C. The intrinsic ability of the cardiac muscle to contract
D. The rate of venous return to the right atrium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Afterload represents the resistance or impedance the ventricle must overcome to eject blood
during systole. For the left ventricle, afterload is primarily determined by systemic vascular resistance
(SVR) and aortic compliance; for the right ventricle, by pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Increased
afterload (e.g., severe hypertension, aortic stenosis) increases myocardial oxygen demand and can
precipitate heart failure. (Source: Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology; AHA 2020 ACLS
Guidelines)
Q10: Contractility is best defined as:
A. The volume of blood returning to the heart
B. The resistance against which the heart pumps
C. The intrinsic force of myocardial contraction independent of preload and afterload [CORRECT]
D. The heart rate multiplied by stroke volume
