CARDIAC, AND METABOLIC EMERGENCIES
SUMMARY 2026
◉ A 75-year-old male is slumped in the passenger seat of his car. He
is unresponsive, diaphoretic, and has weak intermittent radial
pulses, but is breathing adequately. The wife states her husband
complained of not feeling well and had a sharp tearing pain in his
lower back and abdomen. He has a history of hypertension and
diabetes. What should you suspect?
A) Abdominal aortic aneurysm
B) Crohn's disease exacerbation
C) Pancreatitis exacerbation
D) Acute coronary syndrome.
Answer: A
◉ Which of the following is the most life-threatening cause of chest
pain?
A) Aortic dissection
B) Esophageal rupture
C) Cholecystitis
D) Pericarditis.
Answer: A
,◉ An 87-year-old female reports an increase in shortness of breath,
cough, and right upper abdominal pain over the past 2 days. You
auscultate rhonchi to the right lower lung. and a temperature of
98.7F (37.0C). Vital signs are T 105F (38.6C) BP 106/70, P 108, R 24,
and SpO2 89%. What should you suspect?
A) COPD exacerbation
B) Congestive heart failure
C) Covid-19
D) Pneumonia.
Answer: D
◉ Which of the following are the most critical factor(s) for
prevention of untoward effects of radiation during an emergency?
A) Distance/Time/Shower
B) Time/PPE/Soap and Water
C) Time/Distance/Shielding
D) Leaded PPE.
Answer: C
◉ A 37 year old female has been complaining of cramping
abdominal pain for the past 2 days. Her abdomen is distended and
you note high-pitched bowel sounds. She denies being pregnant and
states she has not been able to have a bowel movement in 2 days.
,Vital signs are BP 142/90, P 118, R 24, SpO2 98% on room air. What
should you do?
A) Apply high-flow oxygen
B) Administer IV fluids and follow sepsis protocols
C) Place patient in a position of comfort and obtain a 12-lead ECG
D) Advise patient to drink clear liquids.
Answer: C
◉ What is the term for the collapse of the alveolar air spaces of the
lungs?
A) Apneustic
B) Angioedema
C) Aphasia
D) Atelectasis.
Answer: D
◉ What is glucagon responsible for?
A) Stimulating the production of glycogen
B) Inhibiting the breakdown of glycogen
C) Inhibiting the production of glycogen
D) Stimulating the breakdown of glycogen.
Answer: D
, ◉ What is the hallmark sign of hypokalemia present on an ECG?
A) ST elevation
B) PVC
C) Inverted T wave
D) U wave.
Answer: D
◉ What is the physiologic short-term solution to inadequate
oxygenation?
A) Decompensated shock
B) Anaerobic metabolism
C) Aerobic metabolism
D) Compensated shock.
Answer: B
◉ A 49 year old female complains of a headache and pain in her face.
Upon exam, the patient is unable to lift her eyebrows or show her
teeth/smile. Which cranial nerve is displaying an abnormality?
A) Facial
B) Oculomotor
C) Trigeminal