FREE Physician Assistant Cardiovascular System Disorders Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 68-year-old male with a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia presents to the emergency department with a sudden-onset 'tearing' chest pain that radiates to his back.
On examination, his blood pressure is 190/110 mmHg in the right arm and 155/90 mmHg in the left arm.
A new diastolic murmur is auscultated at the right sternal border.
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Aortic dissection

Answer

Acute myocardial infarction

Answer

Pulmonary embolism

Answer

Pericarditis

Question 2

A 75-year-old female is being treated for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Which of the following medication classes has been shown to improve mortality in patients with HFrEF and should be considered a cornerstone of therapy?

Accepted Answer

Beta-blockers

Answer

Loop diuretics

Answer

Digoxin

Answer

Calcium channel blockers

Question 3

A 24-year-old female presents for a routine physical exam. On cardiac auscultation, a mid-systolic click followed by a late systolic murmur is heard best at the apex. The murmur is accentuated when she stands up from a squatting position. What is the most likely valvular abnormality?

Accepted Answer

Mitral valve prolapse

Answer

Aortic stenosis

Answer

Mitral regurgitation

Answer

Tricuspid regurgitation

Question 4

A 55-year-old male with a history of poorly controlled hypertension presents with a headache and confusion. His blood pressure is measured at 220/130 mmHg. Fundoscopic examination reveals papilledema. Which of the following is the most appropriate immediate step in management?

Accepted Answer

Admit to the ICU and initiate an intravenous antihypertensive infusion

Answer

Administer oral clonidine and discharge home with follow-up

Answer

Prescribe a high-dose oral diuretic and recheck blood pressure in 24 hours

Answer

Schedule an outpatient cardiology consultation for the following week

Question 5

Which of the following electrocardiogram (ECG) findings is most characteristic of acute pericarditis?

Accepted Answer

Diffuse ST-segment elevation and PR-segment depression

Answer

ST-segment elevation in a localized coronary distribution

Answer

Development of pathologic Q waves

Answer

Deep, symmetric T-wave inversions

Question 6

A 45-year-old patient is diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Which of the following should be strongly advised against for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Participation in competitive, high-intensity sports

Answer

Treatment with beta-blockers for symptomatic relief

Answer

Annual screening with echocardiography

Answer

Genetic counseling for first-degree relatives