100+ Free CAQ-CVTS Practice Questions
Pass your NCCPA CAQ Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
In a tension pneumothorax, the most appropriate immediate intervention is:
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Key Facts: CAQ-CVTS Exam
120
Total Items
NCCPA CAQ
3 hrs
Exam Time
NCCPA
$350
Exam Fee
NCCPA
3,000 hrs
Practice Required
Prior 6 yrs CVTS-PA
NCCPA CAQ-CVTS is the PA subspecialty credential for cardiac/thoracic surgery practice. 120 items, 3 hours, $350. Eligibility: 3,000 hours CVTS practice + 150 CME in CVTS. Master STS risk modeling, CABG vs PCI guidelines (SYNTAX, EXCEL), valve repair/TAVR criteria, lung-resection eligibility, and ICU management of post-cardiotomy patients.
Sample CAQ-CVTS Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your CAQ-CVTS exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1A 68-year-old man is being evaluated for elective CABG. Which scoring system is most widely used in the United States to predict 30-day operative mortality for cardiac surgery?
2A patient is scheduled for non-cardiac surgery. Which tool is used to estimate perioperative cardiac risk based on history of ischemic heart disease, heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, insulin-dependent diabetes, creatinine >2.0 mg/dL, and high-risk surgery?
3A 75-year-old woman on chronic metoprolol presents for elective CABG. Per ACC/AHA guidance, beta-blocker therapy should be:
4A patient on warfarin for a mechanical mitral valve requires elective CABG. Which is the most appropriate bridging strategy?
5Which preoperative test is most useful for evaluating functional capacity (METs) in a patient considering cardiac surgery?
6An 80-year-old man with severe AS is being evaluated for TAVR vs SAVR. Which assessment tool best quantifies frailty and predicts adverse outcomes?
7EuroSCORE II differs from the original additive EuroSCORE by:
8Which preoperative pulmonary function value is most concerning for postoperative respiratory failure after lobectomy?
9A patient has stable CAD and is scheduled for elective AAA repair. Recent stress testing shows no inducible ischemia. The next step is:
10A patient with a drug-eluting stent placed 9 months ago needs urgent CABG. Per current guidelines, dual antiplatelet therapy management should:
About the CAQ-CVTS Exam
NCCPA Certificate of Added Qualifications in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery — for PAs practicing alongside CT/cardiac surgeons. Covers cardiac surgery (CABG, valve, TAVR/MitraClip patient selection), thoracic surgery (lung resection, esophagectomy, mediastinal disease), vascular surgery PA-relevant content, perioperative evaluation and risk stratification (STS, EuroSCORE II), critical care of the post-op patient, and CVTS-specific pharmacology and professional practice.
Questions
120 scored questions
Time Limit
3 hours
Passing Score
Scaled (NCCPA-set)
Exam Fee
$350 (NCCPA)
CAQ-CVTS Exam Content Outline
Cardiac Surgery
CABG, valve repair/replacement, TAVR/MitraClip, congenital adult, transplant
Thoracic Surgery
Lung resection, esophagectomy, mediastinal disease, chest wall, pleural
Critical Care (CT-ICU)
Post-op cardiotomy, low-cardiac-output, vasopressors, mechanical support, weaning
Preoperative Evaluation
STS risk score, EuroSCORE II, frailty, cardiac/pulm clearance, lab/imaging workup
CVTS Pharmacology / Professional Practice
Anticoagulation, antiarrhythmics, transfusion stewardship, ethics, scope, QI
Vascular Surgery (PA-Relevant)
AAA, carotid, peripheral revascularization, dialysis access, venous disease
How to Pass the CAQ-CVTS Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Scaled (NCCPA-set)
- Exam length: 120 questions
- Time limit: 3 hours
- Exam fee: $350
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
CAQ-CVTS Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should sit for CAQ-CVTS?
PAs with substantial CVTS practice — typically working with cardiothoracic surgery teams, CT-ICU, or cardiac cath/structural labs. Eligibility requires PA-C plus ≥3,000 hours CVTS-PA practice in the prior 6 years, ≥150 Category 1 CME in CVTS, and an experience attestation from a supervising surgeon.
CABG vs PCI — what should a CVTS PA know?
CABG is preferred over PCI for left main disease with high SYNTAX score (>32), three-vessel CAD with diabetes (FREEDOM trial), and complex multivessel disease. EXCEL and NOBLE trials examined left main PCI vs CABG with conflicting results — CABG retains edge for complex anatomy. Know SYNTAX scoring and the heart-team approach.
What does the STS risk score predict?
STS (Society of Thoracic Surgeons) risk calculator predicts 30-day mortality and morbidity (stroke, renal failure, prolonged ventilation, deep wound infection, reoperation, prolonged LOS) for cardiac surgery. Inputs include age, comorbidities, ejection fraction, urgency. Used for risk stratification, informed consent, and TAVR vs SAVR decisions.
How should I study for CAQ-CVTS?
Plan 80-120 hours over 10-14 weeks. Work the NCCPA CAQ Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery content blueprint, drill weighted-domain practice questions, complete required Category 1 CME, and submit experience requirements (typically ≥3,000 hours specialty practice in the prior 6 years and ≥150 specialty CME) before sitting the exam.