Sample Questions (RCIS)

1. Based on the following data: O2 Consumption = 250 ml/min., AO = 21.0 vol. %, PA = 16.0 vol. %, BSA = 1.8 M2. What is the approximate cardiac output for the patient?
   1. 2.5 L/min.
   2. 4.0 L/min.
   3. 5.0 L/min.
   4. 6.0 L/min.
2. Based on the following data: O2 Consumption = 250 ml/min., AO = 21.0 vol. %, PA = 16.0 vol. %, BSA = 1.8 M2. What is the approximate cardiac index for the patient?
   1. 2.22 L/min./M2
   2. 2.77 L/min./M2
   3. 3.00 L/min./M2
   4. 3.33 L/min./M2
3. If T-wave sensing occurs in ventricular demand or synchronous pacing, what must be done to the programmable generator?
   1. Increase pulse width
   2. Decrease pulse width
   3. Longer refractory period
   4. A shorter refractory period
4. If a patient had a large S-wave in lead VI and a large R-wave in V5, you might suspect:
   1. LVH
   2. IV Strain
   3. Hyperkalemia
   4. Anterior Infarction
5. What is most likely indicated from the following oximetry samples?
   Position, Saturation %, Position, Saturation %
   SVC, 70%, RV, 86%
   IVC, 71%, PA, 86%
   Hi RA, 78%, LA, 94%
   Mid RA, 86%, LV, 94%
   Low RA, 83%, AO, 94%
   1. ASD with left to right shunt
   2. PDA with left to right shunt
   3. VSD with left to right shunt
   4. Tetralogy of Fallot with bidirectional shunt
6. On an ECG, which of the following may indicate a loose connection of a temporary pacing wire at the pulse generator spikes?
   1. Changing in size
   2. Changing in polarity
   3. Decreasing in intervals
   4. Falling at irregular intervals
7. Which of the following will markedly elevate right ventricular systolic pressure?
   1. Infundibular stenosis
   2. Pulmonic insufficiency
   3. Constrictive pericarditis
   4. Patent ductus arteriosus
8. Which of the following may be caused by rapid accumulation of fluid in the pericardial sac?
   1. Subvalvular gradient
   2. Coarctation gradient
   3. Atrioventricular gradient
   4. Semilunar valve gradient
9. A patient has a cardiac output of 5 L/min. and a heart rate of 75 beats per minute. If stroke volume remains constant, what will be the effect of an increase in heart rate to 150 beats per minute? Cardiac output would:
   1. Triple
   2. Increase to 10 L/min.
   3. Increase to 25 L/min.
   4. Increase to 22.5 L/min.
10. Cardiac myxomas are usually located in the:
    1. Left atrium
    2. Right atrium
    3. Left ventricle
    4. Right ventricle
11. Overdrive suppression of Torsade de Pointes and atrial flutter works by pacing the heart according to which of the following protocols:
    1. With bursts at same rate as the tachycardia
    2. 10-20 beats/minute slower than the tachycardia
    3. 10-40 beats/minute faster than the intrinsic HR
    4. With premature synchronized extra systoles Sl-S2
12. What is the BEST indicator of the exact moment the aortic and pulmonary valves open?
    1. R wave on the ECG
    2. C wave on the atrial pressure tracing
    3. Dicrotic notch on the atrial pressure waveform
    4. Beginning of systolic rise on the arterial pressure
13. Left ventricular mass is determined angiographically from measuring the heart wall thickness during what stage of the cardiac cycle?
    1. Mid-systole
    2. End-systole
    3. Mid-diastole
    4. End-diastole
14. In an aortic pressure recording, a gradual upstroke with a prominent low anacrotic notch is indicative of:
    1. Aortic stenosis
    2. Aortic insufficiency
    3. Left ventricular failure
    4. Congestive heart failure
15. Which of the following is characteristic of Tetralogy of Fallot?
    1. Greater pressure in the left ventricle
    2. A fall in pressure form the ventricle to aorta
    3. A marked difference in mean atrial pressures
    4. A fall in pressure from right ventricle to the pulmonary artery
16. In an aortic pressure recording, a rapid upstroke with a large pulse pressure is indicative of:
    1. Mitral stenosis
    2. Aortic stenosis
    3. Aortic insufficiency
    4. Constrictive pericarditis
17. Protection from radiation may be maximized by all but which of the following:
    1. Significantly reducing KV setting
    2. Maximizing the distance to the source
    3. Minimizing the time near the radiation source
    4. Placing absorbing material between yourself and the patient
18. What is MOST likely indicated by the following pressures?
    RV = 26/2, PA= 25/19, LA = mean of 18, LV = 142/8, AO = 145/75?
    1. Mitral stenosis
    2. Aortic stenosis
    3. Mitral insufficiency
    4. Aortic insufficiency
19. In cardiac tamponade, venous pressures:
    1. fall and arterial pressures rise
    2. rise and arterial pressures fall
    3. remain steady and arterial pressures fall
    4. rise and arterial pressure remains steady
20. Which of the following typically increases to compensate for constrictive diseases which impede filling:
    1. SV
    2. Preload
    3. Afterload
    4. EDV, ESV

Answers:
1. c 5. a 9. b 13. d 17. a
2. b 6. d 10. a 14. a 18. a
3. c 7. a 11. c 15. d 19. b
4. a 8. c 12. d 16. c 20. b