Rhythm Review (Cardiac Dysrhythmias)
Endocrine Emergencies
Shock & Sepsis
Vascular & Cardiac Crises
Hemodynamics & Procedures
100

This node is the heart’s primary pacemaker, typically generating impulses between 60 and 100 beats per minute

What is the Sinoatrial (SA) node? 

The SA node is the heart’s primary pacemaker, typically generating electrical impulses at a rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute

100

his acute complication of diabetes involves uncontrolled hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, and the production of ketones.

What is Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)?

DKA is characterized by uncontrolled hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, and increased ketone production

100

An increase in this vital sign is often the very first indicator that a patient is entering hypovolemic shock

What is an increased heart rate? In hypovolemic shock, an increase in heart rate is typically the first sign that mean arterial pressure (MAP) is decreasing

100

This "tearing" or "ripping" sensation in the chest or back often indicates this highly lethal emergency where blood enters the aortic wall.

What is aortic dissection? 

This is a highly lethal emergency where blood enters the aortic wall through a sudden tear, often causing a "tearing" or "ripping" sensation

100

This anatomical location (the right atrium) is used as the reference point for zeroing and leveling pressure monitoring transducers.

What is the phlebostatic axis? 

The phlebostatic axis, which represents the location of the right atrium, is used as the reference point for zeroing and leveling transducers

200

Characterized by electrical chaos in the ventricles, this rhythm produces no cardiac output or perfusion and requires immediate defibrillation.

What is Ventricular Fibrillation (V-fib)? 

V-fib is the result of electrical chaos in the ventricles, producing no ventricular contraction, no cardiac output, and no perfusion

200

In this "dry" condition, a deficiency of ADH leads to the excretion of massive amounts of very dilute urine and extreme thirst.

What is Diabetes Insipidus (DI)? 

DI is a water metabolism problem caused by an ADH deficiency, leading to the excretion of large amounts of very dilute urine and extreme thirst

200

This specific type of shock occurs when the heart's contractility is decreased and the "pump" is no longer effective, often following an MI.

What is cardiogenic shock? 

This type of shock occurs when the heart's contractility is decreased and the "pump" is no longer effective, often following a myocardial infarction

200

Beck’s Triad—hypotension, JVD, and muffled heart sounds—is the classic clinical presentation for this obstructive emergency.

What is cardiac tamponade? 

Beck’s Triad—hypotension, JVD, and muffled heart sounds—indicates this obstructive medical emergency

200

This hemodynamic value measures "preload" or right atrial pressure, with a normal range of 1 to 8 mmHg.

What is Central Venous Pressure (CVP)? 

CVP measures preload and right atrial pressure, with a normal range of 1 to 8 mmHg

300

These "mechanical" interventions, such as the Valsalva maneuver or carotid massage, are used to treat Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)

What are Vagal maneuvers? 

Vagal maneuvers, such as carotid massage and Valsalva maneuvers, are interventions used to treat Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)

300

A profound hypometabolic state and medical emergency resulting from untreated or severe hypothyroidism.

What is Myxedema coma? 

This is a profound hypometabolic state and medical emergency resulting from severe hypothyroidism

300

According to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign, this "bundle" of interventions (including lactate measurement and blood cultures) should be completed within this many hours.

What is one hour? 

According to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign, the standard "care bundle" of interventions should be completed within 1 hour

300

This is the primary factor in the development of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). 

What is atherosclerosis? 

Atherosclerosis is the primary factor in the development of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

300

When this "wedge" pressure exceeds 18 mmHg, it typically indicates cardiogenic pulmonary edem

What is cardiogenic pulmonary edema? 

When Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure (PAWP) exceeds 18 mmHg, it typically defines this condition

400

This electrolyte is the drug treatment of choice for a patient in Torsades de pointes.

What is Magnesium sulfate? 

Magnesium sulfate is the drug treatment of choice for a patient in Torsades de pointes

400

During this stage of shock, vital organs develop hypoxia and the MAP has sustained a decrease of more than 20 mmHg from baseline

What is Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)? 

SIADH occurs when ADH is secreted even when plasma osmolarity is low, leading to fluid overload and dilutional hyponatremia

400

During this stage of shock, vital organs develop hypoxia and the MAP has sustained a decrease of more than 20 mmHg from baseline.

What is the progressive stage? 

During the progressive stage of shock, vital organs develop hypoxia and the MAP has sustained a decrease of more than 20 mmHg from baseline

400

This "eggshell" appearing mass on an X-ray is often a common site for localized dilation between the renal arteries and aortic bifurcation

What is an aneurysm? 

Central artery aneurysms can appear as an "eggshell" on an X-ray and commonly occur in the abdominal aorta between the renal arteries and the aortic bifurcation

400

This external vest detects ventricular dysrhythmias and can defibrillate patients who are at risk for sudden cardiac death but ineligible for an ICD.

What is a Wearable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (WCD)?

This is an external vest that detects ventricular dysrhythmias and can defibrillate patients at risk for sudden cardiac death

500

To estimate a patient's ventricular rate on an ECG, count these complexes in a 6-second strip and multiply by 10.

What are QRS complexes? 

To estimate the ventricular rate, you count the QRS complexes in a 6-second strip and multiply by 10

500

This syndrome involves a sequence of cell damage caused by toxic metabolites that first impacts the liver, heart, brain, and kidneys.

What is a Thyroid storm? 

This rare, life-threatening event is a progression of hyperthyroidism characterized by high fever and tachycardia

500

This syndrome involves a sequence of cell damage caused by toxic metabolites that first impacts the liver, heart, brain, and kidneys.

What is Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS)? 

MODS involves a sequence of cell damage caused by a massive release of toxic metabolites and enzymes that first impacts the liver, heart, brain, and kidneys

500

This procedure involves positioning a balloon-tipped catheter in an artery and inflating it to flatten plaque against the wall.

What is Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)? 

PCI is a procedure where a balloon-tipped catheter is positioned in an artery and inflated to flatten plaque against the wall

500

This device improves coronary perfusion by inflating during diastole and reduces afterload by deflating just before systole

What is an Intra-aortic Balloon Pump (IABP)? 

The IABP improves coronary perfusion by inflating during diastole and reduces afterload by deflating just before systole