Cardiovascular Emergencies and Arrhythmia Management Flashcards
6 cards from real Acute Care Nurse Practitioner practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Cardiovascular Emergencies and Arrhythmia Management flashcards as text
Which ECG finding is characteristic of Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome?
Answer: Short PR interval with delta wave and wide QRS
WPW shows a short PR interval (<120 ms), delta wave (slurred QRS upstroke), and wide QRS from pre-excitation via the accessory pathway.
A patient with WPW develops rapid atrial fibrillation. Which drug is CONTRAINDICATED?
Answer: Adenosine
Adenosine blocks the AV node in WPW-AF, preferentially routing conduction down the fast accessory pathway and potentially causing ventricular fibrillation.
Which parameter is used to decide between synchronized cardioversion and defibrillation?
Answer: Presence of organized QRS complexes
Synchronized cardioversion is used when organized QRS complexes are present (AF, flutter, SVT, VT with pulse); defibrillation is for VF/pulseless VT.
An ACNP manages a patient with new-onset rapid ventricular response atrial fibrillation and LVEF of 25%. Which rate control agent is preferred?
Answer: Digoxin IV
Digoxin is preferred for rate control in AF with reduced EF (HFrEF) because beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers may further depress cardiac output.
Which intervention is indicated for a patient in third-degree (complete) AV block with a ventricular rate of 28 bpm and hypotension?
Answer: Administer atropine 0.5 mg IV and prepare for transvenous pacing
Atropine is the first-line pharmacologic treatment for symptomatic bradycardia while arranging emergency transvenous pacing.
Aortic dissection (Type A) presents with which classic clinical finding?
Answer: Sudden severe tearing/ripping chest pain radiating to the back with unequal arm BPs
Type A aortic dissection classically presents with sudden, severe tearing pain radiating to the back and pulse/BP discrepancy between arms.