Practice Test 3

Practice Questions

1. Following a Pericardiocentesis to relieve cardiac tamponade, what hemodynamic change would be expected?
   a. Increased heart rate
   b. Decreased heart rate
   c. Decreased cardiac output
   d. Increased cardiac output
2. Which of the following is NOT a component of the calculation for cardiac index?
   a. Heart rate
   b. Systemic vascular resistance
   c. Body surface area
   d. Stroke volume
3. A patient has a possible thoracic aneurysm. What findings on chest x-ray would be compatible with this condition?
   a. Pleural effusion
   b. Pneumothorax
   c. Widened mediastinum
   d. Narrow mediastinum
4. Following a long history of exposure to asbestos a patient has developed a mesothelioma. In which part of the lung would this tumor most likely develop?
   a. Carina
   b. Trachea
   c. Bronchus
   d. Pleura
5. Which of the following would be considered a contraindication for use of an intra-aortic balloon pump?
   a. Myocardial depression
   b. Severe aortic stenosis
   c. Cardiogenic shock
   d. Acute mitral regurgitation
6. Following insertion of a prosthetic aortic valve, which of the following medications would be required by the patient on a life-long basis?
   a. Coumadin
   b. Labetalol
   c. Aspirin
   d. Digoxin
7. Which of the following BMI value ranges is considered to be in the obese category?
   a. 18.0 – 20.0
   b. 23.0 – 25.0
   c. 25.0 – 28.0
   d. 30.0- 32.0
8. Which two measurements are used to calculate the BMI on a nomograph?
   a. Height and body fat percentage
   b. Height and weight
   c. Weight and body fat percentage
   d. Waist measurement and height
9. Which of the following hemodynamic values would NOT be expected to be seen in a case of septic shock?
   a. Increased Systemic vascular resistance
   b. Increased Heart rate
   c. Decreased blood pressure
   d. Increased cardiac output
10. Which of the following medications has alpha-adrenergic activity only and no effect on the beta-adrenergic system?
    a. Isoproterenol
    b. Norepinephrine
    c. Dobutamine
    d. Phenylephrine

Answers and Explanations

1. D: With clearance of tamponade, an increase in cardiac output would be expected.
2. B: As cardiac index is calculated as cardiac output (stroke volume x heart rate) divided by body surface area, SVR is not a part of the calculation.
3. C: A widened mediastinum would be expected with the dilated surface of the aorta in a thoracic aneurysm.
4. D: Mesothelioma develops on the pleural lining of the lung.
5. B: Severe aortic stenosis is a contraindication for use of an intra-aortic balloon pump as it would likely be ineffective in that situation. The other conditions listed are reasons that the pump would possibly be used.
6. A: Life-time treatment with Coumadin is necessary after a prosthetic valve insertion.
7. D: BMI values over 30.0 are considered to be in the obese category.
8. B: Height and weight are used to calculate the BMI on a nomograph. These two easily measured values makes the BMI an easily obtained value in clinics without easy access to more expensive body fat analyzers.
9. A: Sepsis usually results in a decreased SVR due to vasodilation.
10. D: Phenylephrine has only alpha.
    

Last Updated: 04/13/2012

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