Flashcards

Question 1

You arrive to find a 48-year-old male complaining that his chest feels heavy. The patient is awake and talking to you. During your assessment you note that his skin is pale, cool, and clammy. Your first step is to

(A) apply your AED.

(B) administer supplemental oxygen.

(C) obtain a medical history.

(D) assist the patient in taking his neighbor’s nitroglycerin.

Answer 1

(B) Your first step is to administer supplemental oxygen. When treating chest pain it is important to get oxygen to the patient as soon as possible to help alleviate damage to the heart muscle.

Question 2

Which of the following is the correct flow of blood through the heart and lungs?

(A) inferior/superior vena cavae, lungs, right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle, left ventricle, aorta

(B) inferior/superior vena cavae, left atrium, left ventricle, lungs, right atrium, left ventricle, aorta

(C) inferior/superior vena cavae, lungs, aorta, left atrium, left ventricle, right atrium, left ventricle

(D) inferior/superior vena cavae, right atrium, right ventricle, lungs, left atrium, left ventricle, aorta

Answer 2

(D) The blood returns from the body to the heart through the inferior/superior vena cavae, to the right atrium, to the right ventricle. It then goes through the pulmonary artery to the lungs and is oxygenated. From there it returns to the left atrium through the pulmonary vein. From the left atrium it goes to the left ventricle and back out to the body through the aorta.

Question 3

The mitral or bicuspid valve

(A) prevents the blood from backflowing into the left atrium.

(B) prevents the blood from backflowing into the right atrium.

(C) prevents the blood from backflowing into the lungs.

(D) is located between the left atrium and the right ventricle.

Answer 3

(A) The mitral or bicuspid valve is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle. It prevents the blood from backflowing into the left atrium.

Question 4

The electrical impulse generated in the right atrium is called the

(A) atrioventricular node.

(B) purkinje fibers.

(C) sinoatrial node.

(D) bundle of His.

Answer 4

(C) The electrical impulse generated at the right atrium is the sinoatrial node (SA node). It travels through both atria, causing both to contract simultaneously, which propels the blood to the ventricles.

Question 5

Which component of blood provides an immune system for the body, defending against infections?

(A) red blood cells

(B) white blood cells

(C) plasma

(D) platelets

Answer 5

(B) White blood cells provide part of the body’s immune system, or defense against infections. Red blood cells give blood its color and transport the oxygen to the body’s cells and carbon dioxide away from the body’s
cells. Plasma is the serum, or fluid, that carries blood
cells and nutrients to the body’s cells. Platelets are important in the formation of blood clots.

Question 6

When differentiating between angina pectoris and a myocardial infarction, you know that

(A) there is no difference between the two.

(B) angina pectoris is caused by physical or emotional stress.

(C) rest will relieve symptoms of a myocardial infaretion.

(D) the pain from angina pectoris is continual and will not go away.

Answer 6

(B) Angina pectoris is usually caused by a physical or emotional state of stress. It usually only lasts from 3 to 8 minutes, but no longer than 10 minutes. It is usually
relieved by rest, unlike a myocardial infarction.

Question 7

You arrive on the scene to discover an unconscious patient. Upon completing your primary assessment, you find the patient to be pulseless and apneic. Your next step would be to (A) begin CPR.

(B) give two ventilations.

(C) apply the AED.

(D) check the pulse for another 60 seconds.

Answer 7

(A) Begin CPR immediately. Then apply the AED. It is important to deliver a counter-shock with the AED if the patient is in v-fib or pulseless v-tach.

Question 8

The AED is used to treat patients in

(A) asystole.

(B) ventricular tachycardia with a pulse.

(C) ventricular fibrillation.

(D) pulseless electrical activity.

Answer 8

(C) The AED is designed to treat patients in v-fib or pulseless v-tach. The AED should only be connected to patients who are pulseless and apneic. The AED is designed to shock those electrical rhythms that are disorganized or very fast and do not have pulses associated with them.