Cardiac Perfusionist Prometric exam questions with answers
15 original practice questions written to the Cardiac Perfusionist exam blueprint, each with the answer and why the other options are wrong. Below them: the Cardiac Perfusionist exam's format, pass mark and fee at DHA, DOH, SCFHS, QCHP and every other GCC regulator, from their own published rules.
- 15
- Free questions
- 50%
- DHA pass mark
- 150
- Questions on the DHA exam
- 12
- Questions in the free mock
Quick answer
The Cardiac Perfusionist exam is 150 MCQs in 3 hours at DHA (pass mark 50%). Below are 15 original practice questions written to the official blueprint, each with the answer and why the other options are wrong, plus a free 12-question timed mock.
The Cardiac Perfusionist exam in every GCC country
DHA publish an exact Cardiac Perfusionist exam; the others apply one format to every title. Figures come from each regulator's own exam pages - anything not published says so.
| Regulator | Exam | Format | Pass mark | Fee per attempt | Practise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHA Dubai | Cardiac Perfusionist (CAR5371) | 150 MCQs in 3 hours | 50% | USD 240 (about AED 880) | DHA questions → |
| DOH Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra | DOH licensing exam Regulator-wide format | Written + oral/OSCE | Pass / fail only | Not published | DOH questions → |
| MOHAP Northern Emirates - Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah | MOHAP licensing exam Regulator-wide format | Computer-based | Not published | Not published | MOHAP questions → |
| SHA Emirate of Sharjah | SHA licensing exam Regulator-wide format | Set at assessment | Not published | Not published | SHA questions → |
| SCFHS Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | SCFHS licensing exam Regulator-wide format | 200 MCQs, 240 min | 500-560 of 800 | Not published | SCFHS questions → |
| QCHP State of Qatar | QCHP licensing exam Regulator-wide format | 150 MCQs, 3 hrs | 50-65% | Not published | QCHP questions → |
| NHRA Kingdom of Bahrain | NHRA licensing exam Regulator-wide format | Prometric CBT | Not published | Not published | NHRA questions → |
| OMSB Sultanate of Oman | OMSB licensing exam Regulator-wide format | Computer-based OC exam | Not published | Not published | OMSB questions → |
| Kuwait MOH State of Kuwait | Kuwait MOH licensing exam Regulator-wide format | 150 MCQs, 170 min | 60-70% | Not published | Kuwait MOH questions → |
exact exam published for Cardiac Perfusionist
Pass marks, attempts and fees change - confirm yours on the regulator's exam page before you book.
15 Cardiac Perfusionist exam questions with answers
Choose your answer first, then open the explanation. The set covers the main blueprint domains at a mix of easy, medium and hard.
- Question 1Anticoagulation and Hemostasismedium
After 500 U/kg of heparin, a patient's ACT remains 330 seconds. Antithrombin activity is low. What is the most appropriate treatment?
- AGive antithrombin concentrate
- BGive protamine
- CGive tranexamic acid
- DStart bypass at the current ACT
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Give antithrombin concentrate
Heparin works through antithrombin, so antithrombin deficiency causes heparin resistance; antithrombin concentrate (or FFP) restores response. Protamine would reverse heparin and worsen the problem.
- Question 2Anticoagulation and Hemostasishard
After protamine, a bleeding patient's TEG shows a prolonged R time in the plain cup and a normal R time in the heparinase cup. What is indicated?
- AA further dose of protamine
- BFresh frozen plasma 15 mL/kg
- CPlatelet transfusion
- DFibrinogen concentrate
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. A further dose of protamine
Correction of R time with heparinase shows residual heparin, treated with more protamine. FFP would be given for a prolonged R time that persists in the heparinase cup.
- Question 3Blood Gas Management, Hemodilution and Blood Conservationmedium
What blood glucose level should generally be avoided during cardiac surgery on CPB?
- AAbove 10 mmol/L (180 mg/dL)
- BAbove 6 mmol/L (108 mg/dL)
- CAbove 4 mmol/L (72 mg/dL)
- DAbove 20 mmol/L (360 mg/dL) only
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Above 10 mmol/L (180 mg/dL)
Guidelines recommend keeping glucose below about 10 mmol/L (180 mg/dL) during cardiac surgery, as hyperglycemia increases infection and neurological injury. Very tight targets increase hypoglycemia risk.
- Question 4CPB Circuit and Equipmentmedium
Why must a flow probe be used to measure flow with a centrifugal arterial pump?
- ACentrifugal pumps are fully occlusive
- BRPM directly equals the flow delivered in L/min
- CCentrifugal pumps cannot cause retrograde flow
- DFlow at a set RPM varies with preload and afterload
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. Flow at a set RPM varies with preload and afterload
Centrifugal pumps are non-occlusive and afterload-sensitive, so flow at a given RPM changes with resistance and can even reverse at low RPM. Roller pumps, being occlusive, allow flow to be calculated from RPM and tubing size.
- Question 5Perfusion Emergencies and Safetyeasy
A total power failure stops the roller pump on bypass and the battery backup fails. What should the perfusionist do?
- AClamp all lines and wait
- BSwitch to the cardioplegia pump
- CIncrease gravity drainage
- DHand-crank the arterial pump
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. Hand-crank the arterial pump
Roller pumps can be hand-cranked to maintain flow while power is restored. Clamping the lines and waiting leaves the patient without circulation.
- Question 6CPB Circuit and Equipmentmedium
Why should cardiotomy suction returning blood from the surgical field be minimised?
- AIt adds fat, particles and hemolysis to the circuit
- BIt lowers the ACT by adding heparin
- CIt cools the patient below the target temperature
- DIt increases sweep gas requirements
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. It adds fat, particles and hemolysis to the circuit
Blood aspirated from the pericardium contains fat, tissue debris and activated, hemolysed cells, contributing to emboli and inflammation. Processing it with cell salvage reduces these effects.
- Question 7Pharmacology for Perfusionhard
Which adverse effect is particularly associated with high-dose tranexamic acid in cardiac surgery?
- ASevere hyperkalemia
- BHeparin resistance
- CPostoperative seizures
- DMethemoglobinemia
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Postoperative seizures
High-dose tranexamic acid is associated with postoperative seizures, so lower dosing regimens are now favoured. It does not cause hyperkalemia or methemoglobinemia.
- Question 8Physiology and Hemodynamics on Bypasseasy
A patient with BSA 2.0 m2 is to receive a cardiac index of 2.4 L/min/m2 on bypass. What pump flow is required?
- A2.4 L/min
- B3.6 L/min
- C5.6 L/min
- D4.8 L/min
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. 4.8 L/min
Pump flow = cardiac index x BSA = 2.4 x 2.0 = 4.8 L/min. Using the index without multiplying by BSA gives only 2.4 L/min.
Halfway - how are you scoring?
Test yourself under real exam conditions
The free 12-question mock is timed and scored against the pass mark, domain by domain, so you see exactly where you are losing marks. The full Cardiac Perfusionist bank has 3 full-length papers (about 450 questions) for AED 289, one-time.
- Question 9Myocardial Protectionmedium
During retrograde cardioplegia via the coronary sinus, which delivery pressure range is usually targeted?
- A30-50 mmHg
- B100-150 mmHg
- C5-10 mmHg
- D70-90 mmHg
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. 30-50 mmHg
Coronary sinus pressure is kept around 30-50 mmHg to perfuse the myocardium without rupturing or injuring the sinus. Pressures above this risk perivascular hemorrhage and edema.
- Question 10Perfusion Emergencies and Safetymedium
During bypass, arterial blood becomes dark and post-oxygenator PaO2 is low despite FiO2 1.0. What should be checked first?
- AThe arterial pump head occlusion setting
- BPatient temperature probe
- CGas supply line connection and flow
- DCardioplegia line pressure
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Gas supply line connection and flow
Gas supply disconnection or failure is the most common and quickly correctable cause; if the supply is intact, oxygenator change-out may be required. Pump occlusion does not affect gas exchange.
- Question 11Pharmacology for Perfusionmedium
How is a volatile anesthetic such as isoflurane delivered during CPB?
- AThrough the ventilator while lungs are idle
- BInjected into the venous reservoir
- CAdded to the cardioplegia solution
- DThrough a vaporizer in the oxygenator sweep gas
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. Through a vaporizer in the oxygenator sweep gas
With the lungs not ventilated on full bypass, volatile agents are given via a vaporizer in the sweep gas line, with scavenging of the oxygenator exhaust. The anesthetic ventilator cannot deliver agent during full bypass.
- Question 12Physiology and Hemodynamics on Bypassmedium
At full flow and normothermia, MAP rises to 105 mmHg with adequate venous saturation. What is the most appropriate response?
- ADeepen anesthesia or give a vasodilator
- BReduce pump flow to half of the calculated flow
- CGive a phenylephrine bolus
- DIncrease the sweep gas FiO2
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Deepen anesthesia or give a vasodilator
High pressure with adequate perfusion usually reflects high vascular resistance or light anesthesia, treated by deepening anesthesia or vasodilation. Halving flow to lower pressure risks organ hypoperfusion.
- Question 13Physiology and Hemodynamics on Bypassmedium
During rewarming on CPB, what is the recommended maximum arterial outlet blood temperature?
- A39 °C
- B40 °C
- C35 °C
- D37 °C
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. 37 °C
Guidelines recommend an arterial outlet temperature no higher than 37 °C to avoid cerebral hyperthermia and neurological injury. Higher temperatures risk gas emboli and brain injury.
- Question 14Physiology and Hemodynamics on Bypassmedium
Using about 150 mL/kg/min, what full pump flow is planned for a 3 kg neonate?
- AAbout 150 mL/min
- BAbout 1,500 mL/min
- CAbout 4,500 mL/min
- DAbout 450 mL/min
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. About 450 mL/min
3 kg x 150 mL/kg/min = 450 mL/min. Neonates need higher weight-indexed flows than adults because of their higher metabolic rate.
- Question 15Physiology and Hemodynamics on Bypassmedium
On bypass, MAP is 65 mmHg but mixed venous saturation falls to 55% and lactate is rising. What is the most appropriate adjustment?
- AGive a vasopressor bolus to raise the MAP further
- BReduce the sweep gas flow rate by half
- CIncrease pump flow or oxygen-carrying capacity
- DReduce the sweep gas FiO2 to 0.4
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Increase pump flow or oxygen-carrying capacity
Low venous saturation with rising lactate indicates inadequate oxygen delivery; increasing flow or hemoglobin raises delivery. A vasopressor raises pressure but does not necessarily improve flow to tissues.
What the Cardiac Perfusionist exam covers
The blueprint groups questions into these domains. Weight your revision the same way - the heavier domains carry more of your score.
CPB Circuit and Equipment
~15%Membrane oxygenators · Roller and centrifugal pumps · Arterial line filters and microemboli
Physiology and Hemodynamics on Bypass
~15%Pump flow calculation from body surface area · Mean arterial pressure targets and vascular resistance · Temperature management
Anticoagulation and Hemostasis
~15%Heparin dosing and ACT targets · Heparin resistance and antithrombin · Protamine reversal and adverse reactions
Myocardial Protection
~12%Principles of cardioplegic arrest · Blood, crystalloid and del Nido cardioplegia · Antegrade, retrograde and ostial delivery
Blood Gas Management, Hemodilution and Blood Conservation
~12%Hemodilution and prime volume calculation · Alpha-stat and pH-stat strategies · Glucose management on bypass
Pharmacology for Perfusion
~8%Vasopressors and vasodilators on bypass · Volatile anesthetics via the oxygenator · Tranexamic acid dosing and adverse effects
Perfusion Emergencies and Safety
~13%Massive arterial air embolism · Oxygenator failure and change-out · Aortic dissection during cannulation
Mechanical Circulatory Support
~10%Intra-aortic balloon pump timing · Veno-venous versus veno-arterial ECMO · Differential hypoxemia in femoral VA-ECMO
How to answer these questions
Questions test applied practice: what you would do with this patient, this result or this image - not textbook definitions.
Safety items (radiation, infection control, patient identification, equipment checks) are high-yield and quick to revise.
Under time pressure, flag and move on: every question carries the same mark.
Aim to score comfortably above your regulator's pass mark - 10 to 15 points of margin - on timed, full-length practice before you book.
Cardiac Perfusionist exam questions: FAQs
How many questions are in the Cardiac Perfusionist Prometric exam?
What is the pass mark for the Cardiac Perfusionist exam?
Are these real exam questions?
Is the Cardiac Perfusionist exam the same in every GCC country?
How should I use these questions?
Last reviewed September 2026. Questions are original and written to the published exam blueprint; they are not taken from any real paper.
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