Cardiology Fisdap Exam for EMT Questions and
Answers () (Verified Answers).
Course
Cardiology Fisdap
Question 1
Q: What is the primary purpose of performing CPR in a patient who is unresponsive and not
breathing?
A: To maintain blood flow to vital organs until advanced care is available.
Rationale: CPR provides manual chest compressions that help maintain circulation to the
brain and heart, increasing the chances of survival and neurological recovery until
defibrillation or advanced care can be provided.
Question 2
Q: What is the first step in assessing a patient with chest pain?
A: Ensure scene safety and perform a primary assessment.
Rationale: Ensuring safety allows for a proper assessment without risk to the responder. A
primary assessment identifies life-threatening conditions and the need for immediate
intervention.
Question 3
Q: Which of the following is a classic sign of myocardial infarction (MI)?
A: Chest pain or discomfort that may radiate to the arm, jaw, or back.
Rationale: Classic signs of an MI include chest pain or pressure, which may radiate,
accompanied by other symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea, and sweating, particularly
in women and older adults.
Question 4
Q: What is the most common arrhythmia associated with an increased risk of stroke?
A: Atrial fibrillation.
,Rationale: Atrial fibrillation can lead to blood stasis in the atria, increasing the risk of
thrombus formation and potential embolism, which can cause strokes.
Question 5
Q: What medication is often administered to patients experiencing chest pain suspected to be
cardiac in nature?
A: Aspirin.
Rationale: Aspirin is given to reduce platelet aggregation and prevent further clot formation
in patients with suspected myocardial infarction, improving outcomes.
Question 6
Q: What is a potential side effect of nitroglycerin administration?
A: Hypotension.
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator that can cause a significant drop in blood pressure,
especially if the patient is already hypotensive or is taking other antihypertensive
medications.
Question 7
Q: In the context of cardiac assessment, what does "pulsus paradoxus" indicate?
A: A decrease in blood pressure during inspiration.
Rationale: Pulsus paradoxus is seen in conditions such as cardiac tamponade or severe
asthma. It is characterized by a drop in blood pressure during inhalation due to impaired
cardiac filling.
Question 8
Q: What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for adult CPR?
A: 30:2.
,Rationale: The compression-to-ventilation ratio of 30:2 is recommended for adult CPR to
ensure effective chest compressions while also providing adequate breaths, maintaining
oxygenation.
Question 9
Q: What does the term "ST segment elevation" on an ECG suggest?
A: An acute myocardial infarction (STEMI).
Rationale: ST segment elevation indicates that a portion of the heart muscle is not receiving
enough blood, typically due to a complete blockage of a coronary artery, necessitating
immediate intervention.
Question 10
Q: What is the primary role of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)?
A: To analyze heart rhythm and deliver an electric shock if necessary.
Rationale: An AED is designed to assess the heart's rhythm and provide a shock to restore
normal rhythm in cases of ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia,
increasing the chances of survival.
Question 11
Q: What is the most critical action to take when encountering a patient in cardiac arrest?
A: Activate emergency medical services (EMS) and begin CPR immediately.
Rationale: Early CPR and rapid EMS activation are crucial in improving outcomes in
cardiac arrest, as they help maintain blood flow to vital organs until advanced care is
available.
Question 12
Q: What is the primary function of the coronary arteries?
A: To supply blood to the heart muscle.
Rationale: The coronary arteries provide oxygenated blood to the myocardium (heart
muscle), which is essential for maintaining cardiac function and overall heart health.
, Question 13
Q: What is the main difference between stable and unstable angina?
A: Unstable angina occurs at rest or with increasing frequency and intensity.
Rationale: Stable angina is predictable and occurs with exertion, while unstable angina is
less predictable, can occur at rest, and indicates a higher risk of myocardial infarction.
Question 14
Q: Which finding on an ECG indicates that the heart is experiencing ischemia?
A: ST segment depression.
Rationale: ST segment depression on an ECG suggests that the heart muscle is not receiving
enough oxygen, indicating ischemia, often seen in conditions like angina.
Question 15
Q: What is a common cause of congestive heart failure (CHF)?
A: Hypertension.
Rationale: Chronic high blood pressure forces the heart to work harder, leading to left
ventricular hypertrophy and eventually heart failure due to the heart's inability to pump
effectively.
Question 16
Q: What is the primary treatment for a patient with anaphylactic shock who experiences
cardiovascular collapse?
A: Administer epinephrine.
Rationale: Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis as it causes
vasoconstriction, bronchodilation, and increased heart rate, reversing the life-threatening
symptoms of anaphylaxis.
Answers () (Verified Answers).
Course
Cardiology Fisdap
Question 1
Q: What is the primary purpose of performing CPR in a patient who is unresponsive and not
breathing?
A: To maintain blood flow to vital organs until advanced care is available.
Rationale: CPR provides manual chest compressions that help maintain circulation to the
brain and heart, increasing the chances of survival and neurological recovery until
defibrillation or advanced care can be provided.
Question 2
Q: What is the first step in assessing a patient with chest pain?
A: Ensure scene safety and perform a primary assessment.
Rationale: Ensuring safety allows for a proper assessment without risk to the responder. A
primary assessment identifies life-threatening conditions and the need for immediate
intervention.
Question 3
Q: Which of the following is a classic sign of myocardial infarction (MI)?
A: Chest pain or discomfort that may radiate to the arm, jaw, or back.
Rationale: Classic signs of an MI include chest pain or pressure, which may radiate,
accompanied by other symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea, and sweating, particularly
in women and older adults.
Question 4
Q: What is the most common arrhythmia associated with an increased risk of stroke?
A: Atrial fibrillation.
,Rationale: Atrial fibrillation can lead to blood stasis in the atria, increasing the risk of
thrombus formation and potential embolism, which can cause strokes.
Question 5
Q: What medication is often administered to patients experiencing chest pain suspected to be
cardiac in nature?
A: Aspirin.
Rationale: Aspirin is given to reduce platelet aggregation and prevent further clot formation
in patients with suspected myocardial infarction, improving outcomes.
Question 6
Q: What is a potential side effect of nitroglycerin administration?
A: Hypotension.
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator that can cause a significant drop in blood pressure,
especially if the patient is already hypotensive or is taking other antihypertensive
medications.
Question 7
Q: In the context of cardiac assessment, what does "pulsus paradoxus" indicate?
A: A decrease in blood pressure during inspiration.
Rationale: Pulsus paradoxus is seen in conditions such as cardiac tamponade or severe
asthma. It is characterized by a drop in blood pressure during inhalation due to impaired
cardiac filling.
Question 8
Q: What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for adult CPR?
A: 30:2.
,Rationale: The compression-to-ventilation ratio of 30:2 is recommended for adult CPR to
ensure effective chest compressions while also providing adequate breaths, maintaining
oxygenation.
Question 9
Q: What does the term "ST segment elevation" on an ECG suggest?
A: An acute myocardial infarction (STEMI).
Rationale: ST segment elevation indicates that a portion of the heart muscle is not receiving
enough blood, typically due to a complete blockage of a coronary artery, necessitating
immediate intervention.
Question 10
Q: What is the primary role of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)?
A: To analyze heart rhythm and deliver an electric shock if necessary.
Rationale: An AED is designed to assess the heart's rhythm and provide a shock to restore
normal rhythm in cases of ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia,
increasing the chances of survival.
Question 11
Q: What is the most critical action to take when encountering a patient in cardiac arrest?
A: Activate emergency medical services (EMS) and begin CPR immediately.
Rationale: Early CPR and rapid EMS activation are crucial in improving outcomes in
cardiac arrest, as they help maintain blood flow to vital organs until advanced care is
available.
Question 12
Q: What is the primary function of the coronary arteries?
A: To supply blood to the heart muscle.
Rationale: The coronary arteries provide oxygenated blood to the myocardium (heart
muscle), which is essential for maintaining cardiac function and overall heart health.
, Question 13
Q: What is the main difference between stable and unstable angina?
A: Unstable angina occurs at rest or with increasing frequency and intensity.
Rationale: Stable angina is predictable and occurs with exertion, while unstable angina is
less predictable, can occur at rest, and indicates a higher risk of myocardial infarction.
Question 14
Q: Which finding on an ECG indicates that the heart is experiencing ischemia?
A: ST segment depression.
Rationale: ST segment depression on an ECG suggests that the heart muscle is not receiving
enough oxygen, indicating ischemia, often seen in conditions like angina.
Question 15
Q: What is a common cause of congestive heart failure (CHF)?
A: Hypertension.
Rationale: Chronic high blood pressure forces the heart to work harder, leading to left
ventricular hypertrophy and eventually heart failure due to the heart's inability to pump
effectively.
Question 16
Q: What is the primary treatment for a patient with anaphylactic shock who experiences
cardiovascular collapse?
A: Administer epinephrine.
Rationale: Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis as it causes
vasoconstriction, bronchodilation, and increased heart rate, reversing the life-threatening
symptoms of anaphylaxis.
