Cardiology: atrial fibrillation: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Cardiology: atrial fibrillation

Sample item

An unstable patient in atrial fibrillation has hypotension and chest pain. What is the immediate management?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Synchronized electrical cardioversion

Haemodynamic instability from atrial fibrillation requires urgent synchronized cardioversion. Rate or rhythm drugs are used when the patient is stable.

Option by option

  • A. Oral beta blocker and discharge

    Oral treatment is too slow for shock.

  • B. Synchronized electrical cardioversion (correct)

    Correct. Instability makes electrical cardioversion urgent.

  • C. Observe for spontaneous conversion

    Observation is unsafe in instability.

  • D. Digoxin loading only

    Digoxin alone is not adequate emergency treatment.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is B, Synchronized electrical cardioversion. Haemodynamic instability from atrial fibrillation requires urgent synchronized cardioversion.

Why is "Oral beta blocker and discharge" not the answer?

Oral treatment is too slow for shock.

Why is "Observe for spontaneous conversion" not the answer?

Observation is unsafe in instability.

Why is "Digoxin loading only" not the answer?

Digoxin alone is not adequate emergency treatment.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiology: atrial fibrillation in General Medicine. Rate or rhythm drugs are used when the patient is stable.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Cardiology: atrial fibrillation?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.