Cardiovascular and Emergency Management Quiz

Questions and Answers

What do the iliac arteries immediately subdivide into?

femoral arteries

How does a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) restore blood flow?

Dilating the affected coronary artery with a small inflatable balloon.

What must the EMT obtain before assisting a patient with his or her prescribed nitroglycerin?

authorization from medical control

What should you do if a cardiac arrest patient has an automatic implanted cardiac defibrillator (AICD) and the AED advises a shock?

Deliver the shock followed by immediate resumption of CPR. Signup and view all the answers

What should you do upon arriving to assist a 56-year-old male with altered mental status?

begin ventilatory assistance Signup and view all the answers

In contrast to the sympathetic nervous system, what does the parasympathetic nervous system do?

Slows the heart and respiratory rates Signup and view all the answers

What should the EMT do if a patient in cardiac arrest is wearing an external defibrillator vest?

leave the battery attached to the monitor and remove the vest Signup and view all the answers

What sign is commonly observed in patients with right-sided heart failure?

dependent edema Signup and view all the answers

The inferior vena cava returns deoxygenated blood to the right side of the heart from all of the following areas, EXCEPT the: ______

legs Signup and view all the answers

When should the EMT use an AED on a child between 1 month and 8 years of age?

if pediatric pads and an energy-reducing device are available Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a major risk factor for AMI, EXCEPT?

hypoglycemia Signup and view all the answers

Where should V1 and V2 electrodes be placed when preparing to obtain a 12-lead ECG?

On either side of the sternum Signup and view all the answers

What should you do for a 66-year-old female with substernal chest pressure?

administer oxygen, give her 324 mg of aspirin, and assess her further Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the left atrium?

It receives oxygenated blood from the lungs Signup and view all the answers

When an AED indicates no shock is advised, what does this mean?

she is not in ventricular fibrillation Signup and view all the answers

Why may cardiac output decrease if the heart beats too rapidly?

there is not enough time in between contractions for the heart to refill completely Signup and view all the answers

What is your initial action upon finding two off-duty EMTs performing CPR on a patient who passed out?

feel for a pulse while they are compressing Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is LEAST important when obtaining a medical history from a patient complaining of chest discomfort?

family history of hypertension Signup and view all the answers

What should the EMT do after the AED has delivered a shock?

immediately resume CPR Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common cause of sudden death following AMI?

ventricular fibrillation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following veins is located inferior to the trunk?

saphenous Signup and view all the answers

At what level does the descending aorta divide into the two iliac arteries?

umbilicus Signup and view all the answers

What should you do for a 49-year-old man with chest pressure, a nitroglycerin patch, and low blood pressure?

remove the nitroglycerin patch, place him in a supine position and elevate his lower extremities, and prepare for immediate transport Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of defibrillation?

stop the chaotic, disorganized contraction of the cardiac cells Signup and view all the answers

What are common side effects of nitroglycerin, EXCEPT?

hypertension Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cardiovascular System and Emergency Management

Iliac arteries subdivide into femoral arteries to supply blood to the lower limbs.
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) involves dilating the coronary artery with a balloon to restore blood flow to the heart muscle.
Before administering nitroglycerin, EMTs must obtain authorization from medical control.
In cases of cardiac arrest with an automatic implanted cardiac defibrillator (AICD) present, the AED’s shock recommendation should be followed, followed by immediate CPR resumption.
In an emergency involving altered mental status and a history of chest pain, initiate ventilatory assistance if the patient displays signs of respiratory distress.

Nervous System Interaction

The parasympathetic nervous system functions to slow heart and respiratory rates, counteracting the sympathetic nervous system's alert response.

Emergency Cardiac Interventions

When encountering a patient with an external defibrillator vest, retain the battery connection and remove the vest to facilitate effective CPR.
Right-sided heart failure commonly presents with dependent edema, where fluid accumulates in the lower extremities.

Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology

The inferior vena cava returns deoxygenated blood from the body, except from the legs.
Use an AED on children aged 1 month to 8 years when pediatric pads and an energy-reducing device are available.
Major risk factors for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) include conditions like hypertension, but hypoglycemia is not a major risk factor.

Electrocardiogram (ECG) Placement

When obtaining a 12-lead ECG, place the V1 and V2 electrodes on either side of the sternum to accurately capture heart activity.

Patient Assessment and Treatment

For a 66-year-old female with chest pressure and known history of hypertension and diabetes, administer oxygen and 324 mg of aspirin, and conduct further assessment.
The left atrium functions to receive oxygenated blood from the lungs.

Cardiac Rhythm Analysis

A no shock advised message from the AED indicates the patient is not in ventricular fibrillation, requiring no defibrillation shock.
Rapid heart rates can reduce cardiac output due to insufficient time for the heart chambers to fully refill between contractions.

Initial Response in Emergency Situations

Upon arrival at a scene where CPR is already being performed, the immediate action should be to check for a pulse while others continue compressions.
Least relevant in medical history for chest discomfort is the family history of hypertension.
After an AED shock, the protocol is to immediately resume CPR to maintain blood circulation.

Causes of Sudden Death and Vascular Anatomy

Sudden death following an AMI is most often due to ventricular fibrillation, a severe arrhythmia.
The saphenous vein is found inferior to the trunk of the body.
The descending aorta divides into the iliac arteries at the level of the umbilicus.

Emergency Treatment Considerations

For a patient with chest pressure and a nitroglycerin patch, it's crucial to remove the patch if the patient shows signs of hypotension (e.g., blood pressure 78/50 mm Hg).
The goal of defibrillation is to halt the chaotic contraction of cardiac cells, aiming to restore normal rhythm.
Common side effects of nitroglycerin include headaches and hypotension, but hypertension is not a typical side effect.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the cardiovascular system and emergency management techniques. This quiz covers topics such as treatment protocols following cardiac events, key anatomical structures, and the functioning of different nervous system components during emergencies. Perfect for EMTs or anyone interested in emergency cardiac care.