Deck 21: Other Cardiac Conditions and the ECG

Question 1

Inflammation of the pericardium is called:

A) effusion.
B) angina.
C) infarction.
D) pericarditis.

Answer 1

pericarditis.

Question 2

Pericarditis produces chest pain that:

A) is located substernal.
B) is dull and aching.
C) worsens with movement, particularly when the patient is sitting up.
D) eases with inspiration.

Answer 2

is located substernal.

Question 3

The most common causes of pericarditis are:

A) viral and bacterial infections.
B) uremia and renal failure.
C) cancer and MI.
D) rheumatic fever and connective tissue disease.

Answer 3

viral and bacterial infections.

Question 4

In pericarditis:

A) the ST segment is elevated and symmetrically round.
B) T wave inversion usually occurs only after the ST segments have returned to baseline.
C) pathologic R waves are seen.
D) the ST segment and T wave changes are localized.

Question 5

Substantial pericardial effusion can:

A) occur with pulmonary embolism.
B) cause low-voltage QRS complexes in all leads.
C) produce large S waves in lead I.
D) lead to T wave peaking.

Question 6

Electrical alternans is a condition in which the QRS complexes:

A) are biphasic.
B) become taller and wider.
C) change in height with each successive beat.
D) flatten.

Question 7

Cardiac tamponade can:

A) result from the accumulation of fluid or exudate in the pericardial sac.
B) lead to compromised cardiac output.
C) be easily detected on the ECG.
D) result from the accumulation of fluid or exudate in the pericardial sac and lead to compromised cardiac output.

Question 8

A pulmonary embolism:

A) is an acute blockage of one of the pulmonary arteries by a blood clot or other foreign matter.
B) leads to obstruction of blood flow to the lung segment supplied by the artery.
C) can impair oxygenation of the blood and lead to death.
D) All of these.

Question 9

Right heart failure that results from a pulmonary embolism is referred to as:

A) acute cor pulmonale
B) plural effusion
C) P mitrale
D) cardiac tamponade

Question 10

The characteristic ECG changes seen with massive pulmonary embolus include:

A) tall, symmetrically peaked P waves in leads II, III, and aVF.
B) ST segment depression in lead aVF.
C) left axis deviation.
D) inverted T waves in leads V5-V6

Question 11

The S1 Q3 T3 pattern reflects:

A) A small S wave in lead I
B) a deep Q wave in lead III
C) an peaked T wave in lead III
D) an symmetrical T wave in lead I

Question 12

The most common dysrhythmias seen with massive pulmonary embolism are:

A) junctional tachycardia and atrial flutter.
B) sinus tachycardia and atrial fibrillation
C) sinus bradycardia and asystole.
D) SVT and ventricular tachycardia

Question 13

Hyperkalemia generates a progression of changes in the ECG that can end in:

A) bradycardia.
B) Torsades de pointes.
C) ventricular fibrillation and death.
D) decreased cardiac contraction.

Question 14

Key characteristics of hyperkalemia include:

A) tall P waves.
B) appearance of U waves.
C) sine wave pattern.
D) ST segment depression.

Question 15

Hypocalcemia _______ the QT interval while hypercalcemia ______ it.

A) prolongs, shortens
B) doesn't affect, prolongs
C) shortens, doesn't affect
D) shortens, prolongs

Question 16

Key ECG characteristics of hypokalemia include:

A) ST segment elevation.
B) elevation of the T wave.
C) appearance of U waves.
D) 1st-degree AV heart block.

Question 17

Digoxin:

A) accelerates the heart rate and AV conduction.
B) slows the influx of sodium while allowing a greater influx of calcium.
C) has a wide therapeutic margin.
D) is excreted from the body quickly.

Question 18

Digoxin produces a characteristic:

A) gradual downward curve of the ST segment.
B) notching of the P waves.
C) prolongation of the QT interval.
D) delta wave.

Question 19

The most common dysrhythmia seen with digoxin toxicity is:

A) atrial flutter.
B) 3rd - degree AV block with a slow ventricular escape.
C) atrial fibrillation.
D) paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT) with 2nd-degree AV heart block.

Question 20

ECG indicators of quinidine use include:

A) an inverted P wave.
B) narrowing of the QRS complex..
C) ST depression with a prolonged QT interval.
D) peaked T waves.

Question 21

Calcium channel blockers primarily block the:

A) SA node.
B) ventricles.
C) AV node.
D) bundle branches.

Question 22

Initially with pericarditis, the T wave is upright and may be elevated.

Question 23

When the ST segment is elevated in pericarditis it appears off the baseline, gradually sloping back down to the next QRS complex.

Question 24

Pericarditis can mimic the symptoms seen with myocardial infarction.

Question 25

The development of pathologic Q waves does not occur in pericarditis.

Question 26

Pericardial effusion is a buildup of an excessive amount of fluid in the plural space.

Question 27

In the case of a minimal or small pulmonary embolism, the ECG is usually normal, or it may show a sinus tachycardia.

Question 28

Increases or decreases in the potassium and calcium serum levels have little effect on the ECG.

Question 29

In hyperkalemia, T wave peaking begins as the potassium level starts to rise.

Question 30

Torsades de pointes is seen in patients with prolonged QT intervals.