Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC) Practice Exam

What is a common sign of decreased cardiac output in patients with bradycardia?

1. Increased heart rate

2. Neurological changes

3. Lower cholesterol levels

4. Increased appetite

The correct answer is: Neurological changes

In patients with bradycardia, a common sign of decreased cardiac output is neurological changes. Bradycardia, characterized by a slower than normal heart rate, can lead to insufficient blood flow, which directly impacts the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the brain. As a result, patients may experience symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, fatigue, or even fainting, all of which indicate neurological compromise due to the decreased cerebral perfusion associated with reduced cardiac output. The other options do not connect directly to decreased cardiac output. Increased heart rate tends to oppose bradycardia; lower cholesterol levels are not typically a direct sign of decreased cardiac output; and increased appetite is unrelated to the immediate physiological responses associated with bradycardia. Thus, neurological changes stand out as the most relevant manifestation of decreased cardiac output in these patients.