Cardiology Quiz 6

Question 1

An accelerated idioventricular rhythm is characterized by all of the following, EXCEPT:
A) wide QRS complexes with P waves buried in the T waves.
B) QRS complexes greater than 0.12 seconds in duration.
C) regular R-R intervals and a rate between 40 and 100 beats/min.
D) irregular R-R intervals and a rate less than 40 beats/min.

Answer 1

D) irregular R-R intervals and a rate less than 40 beats/min.

Question 2

Any electrical impulse that originates in the ventricles will produce:
A) bizarre-looking QRS complexes and a rate less than 60 beats/min.
B) low-amplitude QRS complexes and dissociated P waves.
C) wide QRS complexes and a rate between 20 and 40 beats/min.
D) a rapid rhythm with wide QRS complexes and no pulse.

Answer 2

C) wide QRS complexes and a rate between 20 and 40 beats/min.

Question 3

A “run” of ventricular tachycardia occurs if at least ____ PVCs occur in a row.
A) four
B) five
C) two
D) three

Answer 3

D) three

Question 4

Fine ventricular fibrillation is characterized by fibrillatory waves that are:
A) all deflected below the isoelectric line.
B) consistently of the same appearance.
C) less than 3 mm in amplitude.
D) consistently of the same amplitude.

Answer 4

C) less than 3 mm in amplitude.

Question 5

Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia:
A) is characterized by QRS complexes that vary in size.
B) is often irregular with occasional nonconducted P waves.
C) is treated as ventricular fibrillation if a pulse is present.
D) presents with wide QRS complexes of a common shape.

Answer 5

D) presents with wide QRS complexes of a common shape.

Question 6

Premature ventricular complexes:
A) are ectopic complexes that originate from a different pacemaker site.
B) are extra systolic beats that break the regularity of the underlying rhythm.
C) occur later than the next expected complex, causing an irregular rhythm.
D) are in themselves considered arrhythmias, but are generally insignificant.

Answer 6

A) are ectopic complexes that originate from a different pacemaker site.

Question 7

Premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) that originate from different sites in the ventricle:
A) will appear differently on the ECG.
B) are also called fusion PVCs.
C) are called unifocal PVCs.
D) produce a palpable pulse.

Answer 7

A) will appear differently on the ECG.

Question 8

Torsade de pointes:
A) is a lethal ventricular rhythm that is usually caused by ingestion or injection of CNS-depressant drugs.
B) is generally less serious than monomorphic ventricular tachycardia and is usually not treated in the field.
C) is a variant of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and is often caused by a prolonged QT interval.
D) presents with wide QRS complexes that are all of the same shape, size, and vector
direction.

Answer 8

C) is a variant of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and is often caused by a prolonged QT interval.

Question 9

Unlike an idioventricular rhythm, an agonal rhythm:
A) is associated with a faster rate.
B) is associated with a lower mortality rate.
C) indicates a regular ventricular pacemaker.
D) does not produce a palpable pulse.

Answer 9

D) does not produce a palpable pulse.

Question 10

Untreated ventricular tachycardia would MOST likely deteriorate to:
A) torsade de pointes.
B) pulseless electrical activity.
C) ventricular fibrillation.
D) asystole.

Answer 10

C) ventricular fibrillation.

Question 11

Ventricular bigeminy occurs when:
A) at least two differently shaped PVCs occur.
B) every second complex is a PVC.
C) a 6-second strip contains at least two PVCs.
D) two premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) occur in a row.

Answer 11

B) every second complex is a PVC.

Question 12

Ventricular fibrillation occurs when:
A) cardiac cells in the ventricles fail to completely repolarize, resulting in a decrease in ventricular automaticity.
B) the ventricles become the primary pacemaker for the heart, resulting in a rapid and irregular ventricular rhythm.
C) many different cells in the heart depolarize independently rather than in response to an impulse from the SA node.
D) the ventricles quiver rather than contract normally, while organized atrial contractions continue as normal.

Answer 12

C) many different cells in the heart depolarize independently rather than in response to an
impulse from the SA node.

Question 13

What is the R-on-T phenomenon?
A) A PVC that occurs when the ventricles are not fully repolarized
B) A unifocal PVC that occurs during the upslope of any given T wave
C) A PVC that occurs during a time when the ventricles are depolarizing
D) When the R wave occurs at the J point of the next cardiac cycle

Answer 13

A) A PVC that occurs when the ventricles are not fully repolarized

Question 14

Which of the following statements regarding an idioventricular rhythm is correct?
A) Most patients with an idioventricular rhythm are hemodynamically unstable.
B) Idioventricular rhythms are typically accompanied by nonconducted P waves.
C) The most common cause of an idioventricular rhythm is failure of the SA node.
D) Treatment for an idioventricular rhythm focuses on increasing blood pressure.

Answer 14

A) Most patients with an idioventricular rhythm are hemodynamically unstable.

Question 15

Which of the following statements regarding asystole is correct?
A) A disconnected ECG lead often mimics asystole.
B) Most cases of asystole present with P waves only.
C) Defibrillation is indicated in some cases of asystole.
D) Asystole is the result of prolonged myocardial hypoxia.

Answer 15

D) Asystole is the result of prolonged myocardial hypoxia.