AEMCA Practice Exam

A patient with unstable paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) might display which of the following symptoms?

1. Bradycardia, fatigue

2. Hypertension, palpitations

3. Hypotension, altered awareness

4. Chest tightness, peripheral edema

The correct answer is: Hypotension, altered awareness

In the context of unstable paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), the symptoms exhibited by a patient can be significant indicators of the condition's impact on cardiovascular stability. Unstable PSVT is characterized by rapid heartbeats originating from above the ventricles, which can lead to inadequate blood flow and subsequent complications. Symptoms such as hypotension and altered awareness are particularly relevant. Hypotension may occur as a result of the heart's inability to pump effectively at such high rates, leading to decreased perfusion pressure. Altered awareness could be due to decreased cerebral perfusion, as the brain may not receive sufficient blood supply when the heart's rhythm is chaotic and ineffective. Additionally, while other symptoms might be associated with various heart conditions, they are not typically representative of unstable PSVT. For example, bradycardia and fatigue are unlikely because bradycardia refers to a slower heart rate, which does not align with the tachycardic nature of PSVT. Hypertension, on the other hand, may happen in response to anxiety or increased heart rate but does not characterize instability directly. Peripheral edema and chest tightness can occur in other conditions but are less specific to PSVT itself. Thus, the combination