Progressive Care Nursing Certification (PCCN) Practice Exam

Which of the following conditions is characterized by both bradycardia and hypotension?

1. Second-degree heart block

2. Transitional shock

3. Post-operative hypotension

4. Congestive heart failure

The correct answer is: Second-degree heart block

The condition characterized by both bradycardia and hypotension is second-degree heart block. In this particular type of heart block, there is a failure in the electrical conduction system of the heart, which can lead to a decreased heart rate (bradycardia) as the impulses from the atria to the ventricles are blocked intermittently. This impaired conduction results in reduced cardiac output, which can subsequently cause hypotension, as the blood flow and pressure are compromised due to the heart's inability to pump effectively. In contrast, transitional shock may involve fluctuations in heart rate and blood pressure but does not specifically include the bradycardia associated with a heart block. Post-operative hypotension is commonly due to factors such as anesthesia or blood loss and does not inherently involve bradycardia as a hallmark feature. Congestive heart failure can present with hypotension, but it is typically associated with tachycardia rather than bradycardia, as the body attempts to compensate for the decreased cardiac output. Therefore, the specific combination of bradycardia and hypotension distinctly points to second-degree heart block.