Cardiovascular Assessment and Monitoring for Pediatrics: Quizzes and Practice Questions

Question 1

On physical examination, which finding is characteristic of severe aortic stenosis?

Accepted Answer

Diminished carotid upstroke

Answer

Bounding pulses

Answer

Wide pulse pressure

Answer

Normal heart sounds

Question 2

In children, what is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia?

Accepted Answer

Supraventricular tachycardia

Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Answer

Premature ventricular contractions

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a contraindication for performing an echocardiography?

Accepted Answer

Skin rash

Answer

Open wounds on the chest

Answer

Unstable vital signs

Answer

Absence of patient consent

Question 4

In children, what is the predominant cause of cardiac murmurs?

Accepted Answer

Congenital heart defects

Answer

Rheumatic fever

Answer

Infectious endocarditis

Answer

Aortic stenosis

Question 5

What is the typical heart rate range for a healthy newborn?

Accepted Answer

120-160 bpm

Answer

60-80 bpm

Answer

180-220 bpm

Answer

Over 240 bpm

Question 6

Which finding is indicative of compensated heart failure?

Accepted Answer

Normal vital signs

Answer

Jugular venous distension

Answer

Peripheral edema

Answer

Fatigue and shortness of breath

Question 7

In the United States, which congenital heart defect is most common?

Accepted Answer

Ventricular septal defect

Answer

Atrial septal defect

Answer

Tetralogy of Fallot

Answer

Coarctation of the aorta

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a recognized risk factor for Kawasaki disease?

Accepted Answer

Advancing age

Answer

Male gender

Answer

Asian ethnicity

Answer

Exposure to certain viruses

Question 9

In patients with myocarditis, what is the most common initial symptom?

Accepted Answer

Fatigue

Answer

Chest pain

Answer

Dyspnea

Answer

Edema

Question 10

Which echocardiographic technique is employed to assess the presence of pericardial effusion?

Accepted Answer

Two-dimensional

Answer

M-mode

Answer

Doppler

Answer

Three-dimensional

Question 11

In pediatric practice, which arrhythmia is most commonly observed?

Accepted Answer

Sinus tachycardia

Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Answer

Heart block

Question 12

Which sound is NOT typically heard in healthy children's hearts?

Accepted Answer

S4

Answer

S1

Answer

S2

Answer

S3

Question 13

The most prevalent arrhythmia in the pediatric population is:

Accepted Answer

Sinus tachycardia

Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Answer

Complete heart block

Question 14

The drug of choice for managing supraventricular tachycardia in the pediatric population is:

Accepted Answer

Adenosine

Answer

Digoxin

Answer

Amiodarone

Answer

Propranolol

Question 15

In children with acute rheumatic fever, the most common electrocardiographic finding is:

Accepted Answer

Inverted T waves

Answer

Prolonged QT interval

Answer

Short PR interval

Answer

Wide QRS complex

Question 16

A physical examination finding in an infant that suggests coarctation of the aorta is:

Accepted Answer

Weak femoral pulses

Answer

Bounding carotid pulses

Answer

Wide pulse pressure

Answer

Split second heart sound

Question 17

Which congenital heart defect is the most frequently encountered?

Accepted Answer

Septal defects

Answer

Coarctation of the aorta

Answer

Tetralogy of Fallot

Answer

Transposition of the great arteries

Question 18

Regarding Kawasaki disease, which of the following factors is not considered a risk factor?

Accepted Answer

African American ethnicity

Answer

Male sex

Answer

Recent history of upper respiratory tract infection

Answer

Exposure to secondhand smoke

Question 19

In children, what is the definitive diagnostic test for myocarditis?

Accepted Answer

Endomyocardial biopsy

Answer

Electrocardiography

Answer

Echocardiography

Answer

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing

Question 20

For children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which medication is the initial treatment of choice?

Accepted Answer

Propranolol

Answer

Amiodarone

Answer

Calcium channel blockers

Answer

Digoxin

Question 21

In children, the most common cause of pericarditis is:

Accepted Answer

Viral infection

Answer

Bacterial infection

Answer

Autoimmune disorder

Answer

Trauma

Question 22

During a cardiovascular examination, which physical examination finding is most sensitive for detecting a heart murmur?

Accepted Answer

Listening to the heart with a stethoscope

Answer

Evaluating carotid arterial pulse amplitude and contour

Answer

Identifying peripheral edema

Answer

Palpating the liver to assess for enlargement

Question 23

On an electrocardiogram (ECG), which waveform represents the electrical activity of ventricular repolarization?

Accepted Answer

T wave

Answer

P wave

Answer

QRS complex

Answer

U wave

Question 24

In coarctation of the aorta, which of the following is the characteristic echocardiographic finding?

Accepted Answer

Poststenotic dilatation and narrowing of the aortic arch

Answer

Only narrowing of the aortic arch

Answer

Only poststenotic dilatation

Answer

Abnormal mitral valve motion

Question 25

Which of the following is the most prevalent cause of syncope in children and adolescents?

Accepted Answer

Vasovagal episodes

Answer

Cardiac arrhythmias

Answer

Pulmonary embolism

Answer

Stroke

Question 26

Which of the following echocardiographic views is primarily used to assess mitral valve function?

Accepted Answer

Apical four-chamber view

Answer

Parasternal long axis view

Answer

Suprasternal notch view

Answer

Subcostal view

Question 27

Which of the following symptoms is most frequently observed in children with myocarditis?

Accepted Answer

Fatigue

Answer

Chest pain

Answer

Shortness of breath

Answer

Palpitations

Question 28

Which of the listed conditions is not classified as a congenital heart defect?

Accepted Answer

Emphysema

Answer

Atrial septal defect

Answer

Ventricular septal defect

Answer

Patent ductus arteriosus

Question 29

For a child presenting with acute rheumatic fever, which initial treatment approach is recommended?

Accepted Answer

Bed rest and administration of anti-inflammatory medication

Answer

Administration of antibiotics

Answer

Surgical intervention

Answer

Cardiac catheterization

Question 30

Which of the following situations represents a contraindication for performing an echocardiogram on a child?

Accepted Answer

Unstable vital signs

Answer

Recent cardiac surgery

Answer

Parental consent

Answer

Age less than 1 year

Question 31

In a child undergoing a transthoracic echocardiogram, what does a dilated left atrium suggest?

Accepted Answer

Volume overload

Answer

Normal finding in children

Answer

Left ventricular hypertrophy

Answer

Congenital heart disease

Question 32

In a healthy child, what is the ideal range for pulse oximetry readings?

Accepted Answer

95%-100%

Answer

85%-95%

Answer

75%-85%

Answer

60%-75%

Question 33

In pediatric cardiovascular care, which ethical factor is paramount when considering heart transplantation for a child with end-stage cardiomyopathy?

Accepted Answer

The child's long-term health and well-being after the transplant

Answer

The financial burden of the procedure on the family

Answer

The availability of a compatible donor and the risks of surgery

Answer

The child's preferences and their parents' perspectives

Question 34

In a child with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, which electrocardiographic abnormality is most commonly seen?

Accepted Answer

Short PR interval with delta wave

Answer

Long PR interval with absent P waves

Answer

Wide QRS complex with no delta wave

Question 35

In children diagnosed with aortic stenosis, which characteristic heart sound is typically auscultated?

Accepted Answer

Click-murmur

Answer

Harsh crescendo-decrescendo murmur

Answer

Widely split second heart sound

Answer

Gallop rhythm

Question 36

Which ECG finding is characteristic of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Delta wave

Answer

Shortened PR interval

Answer

QRS complex widening

Answer

ST segment elevation

Question 37

In children, which cause is most frequently associated with pericardial effusion?

Accepted Answer

Viral infection

Answer

Bacterial infection

Answer

Trauma

Answer

Autoimmune disease

Question 38

Which of the following is the most common symptom of arrhythmia in children?

Accepted Answer

Palpitations

Answer

Shortness of breath

Answer

Fainting (syncope)

Answer

Chest pain

Question 39

What is the primary goal of dietary management in children with congenital heart defects?

Accepted Answer

Provide adequate calories and nutrients to support growth and development

Answer

Avoid caffeine to minimize the risk of arrhythmias

Answer

Restrict sodium intake to prevent fluid retention

Answer

Increase fiber intake to promote gastrointestinal health

Question 40

A 3-year-old child presents with fatigue, pallor, and a soft systolic murmur over the left lower sternal border. Which of the following congenital heart defects is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Ventricular septal defect (VSD)

Answer

Endocardial cushion defect (ECD)

Answer

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA)

Answer

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)

Question 41

A neonate has a heart rate of 80 beats per minute (bpm). Which of the following is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Monitor the infant closely, as heart rates in neonates are variable and may fluctuate

Answer

Start antibiotics to treat a suspected infection

Answer

Perform a cardiac catheterization to determine the cause of the slow heart rate

Answer

Administer intravenous (IV) fluids to increase cardiac output

Question 42

A neonate is born with a large ventricular septal defect (VSD). Which of the following is the most important initial management step?

Accepted Answer

Administer prostaglandin infusion to keep the ductus arteriosus open and maintain systemic blood flow

Answer

Perform cardiac catheterization to assess the anatomy of the VSD

Answer

Initiate mechanical ventilation to support respiratory function

Question 43

A newborn infant has a heart rate of 160 bpm. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Physiologic sinus tachycardia, which is a normal adaptation to the transition to extrauterine life

Answer

Sepsis, a life-threatening infection that can cause increased heart rate

Answer

Congenital heart defect, a structural abnormality of the heart that can affect heart rate

Answer

Hypoglycemia, a condition characterized by low blood sugar levels

Question 44

A 6-month-old infant presents with cyanosis, a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes. What is the most crucial initial assessment finding to obtain?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen saturation

Answer

Respiratory rate

Answer

Heart rate

Answer

Temperature

Question 45

A 2-year-old child has a heart murmur. Which physical examination finding would raise the most concern for a serious underlying heart condition?

Accepted Answer

A harsh, systolic murmur heard loudest at the left sternal border

Answer

A soft, vibratory murmur heard loudest at the apex

Answer

A continuous murmur heard loudest at the left infraclavicular area

Question 46

You are evaluating a 6-month-old infant with suspected heart failure. Which physical examination finding is most consistent with this diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Hepatomegaly (enlarged liver)

Answer

Bradycardia (slow heart rate)

Answer

Hypothermia (low body temperature)

Answer

Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Question 47

Which ECG finding is most suggestive of a complete heart block in a newborn?

Accepted Answer

Prolonged PR interval and widened QRS complex

Answer

Sinus bradycardia

Answer

ST-segment elevation

Answer

T-wave inversion

Question 48

A 10-year-old child presents with chest pain and a history of frequent fainting episodes. Which diagnostic test would be most appropriate to assess for a structural heart defect?

Accepted Answer

Echocardiography

Answer

Stress test

Answer

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Answer

Holter monitor

Question 49

You are monitoring a newborn with suspected congenital heart disease. Which vital sign would be most concerning?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory rate of 60 breaths per minute

Answer

Heart rate of 120 beats per minute

Answer

Oxygen saturation of 95%

Answer

Temperature of 98.6°F (37°C)

Question 50

A child with suspected coarctation of the aorta is undergoing cardiac catheterization. Which finding would be most consistent with this diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Elevated blood pressure in the upper extremities compared to the lower extremities

Answer

Elevated blood pressure in both the upper and lower extremities

Answer

Decreased blood pressure in the upper extremities compared to the lower extremities

Question 51

Which of the following is a common symptom of Kawasaki disease in children?

Accepted Answer

Conjunctivitis (red, inflamed eyes)

Answer

Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)

Answer

Stridor (high-pitched breathing sound)

Answer

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

Question 52

A 5-year-old child with a history of rheumatic fever is being monitored for potential heart complications. What is the most important aspect of long-term management?

Accepted Answer

Prophylactic antibiotics to prevent recurrent infections

Answer

Dietary restrictions to reduce cholesterol levels

Answer

Regular echocardiograms to assess valvular function

Question 53

What is the most common cause of cyanotic congenital heart disease in newborns?

Accepted Answer

Tetralogy of Fallot

Answer

Coarctation of the aorta

Answer

Ventricular septal defect

Answer

Atrial septal defect

Question 54

You are examining a child with a suspected patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Which of the following findings would be most supportive of this diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

A continuous murmur heard best at the left infraclavicular area

Answer

A soft, vibratory murmur heard best at the apex

Answer

A harsh, systolic murmur heard best at the left sternal border