ACLS FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. The stroke team is assessing a patient with a suspected stroke.
The patient is alert and able to carry on a conversation, although
the patient has difficulty getting the words out. Testing confirms
that the patient has had an ischemic stroke. Based on the patient's
medical history, a history of which arrhythmia would alert the team
to the patient's increased risk for stroke?
Atrial fibrillation
Atrial tachycardia
Bradycardia
Ventricular fibrillation
Answer Atrial fibrillation
Between 15 and 20 percent of embolic strokes are caused by atrial fibrillation.
2. A 30-year-old patient has been brought to the emergency
department in cardiac arrest. The cardiac monitor shows the
following rhythm. Interpretation of this rhythm would suggest which
of the following as a possible precipitating factor?
Cardiac
tamponade
Electrocution
,Hemorrhage
Antibiotic use
Answer Electrocution
The rhythm is ventricular fibrillation. Precipitating causes of ventricular fibrillation include electrocution,
myocardial ischemia or infarction, shock, stimulant overdose and ventricular tachycardia.
3. A 28-year-old pregnant patient who resides in transitional housing
presents to the emergency department with complaints of feeling
feverish and very faint. The patient tells the emergency nurse that
she does not know when she became pregnant. Upon palpation, the
fundus is not at or above the umbilicus. The patient's condition
quickly deteriorates and she goes into cardiac arrest. If available and
able to be used without impeding or delaying the resuscitation
effort, what diagnostic tool could be used to guide decision-making in
the care of this patient?
Point-of-care
ultrasound Fetal
monitoring
Fetal echocardiogram
Abdominal radiograph
Answer Point-of-care ultrasound
Gestational age is an important consideration when determining the approach to a pregnant patient in
cardiac arrest. If the gestational age is not known and point-of-care ultrasound is available and able to be
, performed without impeding or delaying the resuscitation effort, it can be used to quickly estimate
gestational age and guide decision-making.
4. A person suddenly collapses while sitting in the sunroom of a
healthcare facility. A healthcare provider observes the event and
hurries over to assess the situation. The healthcare provider
performs which assessment first?
Secondary
assessment Primary
assessment Rapid
assessment
Basic life support assessment
Answer Rapid assessment
A systematic approach to assessment is necessary. The healthcare provider should first perform a rapid
assessment. A rapid assessment is a visual survey to ensure safety, form an initial impression about the
patient's condition (including looking for life-threatening bleeding), and determine the need for additional
resources. This would be followed by a primary assessment and then a secondary assessment.
5. A patient is receiving ventilation support via bag-valve-mask
(BVM) resus- citator. Capnography is established and a blood gas is
obtained to evaluate the adequacy of the ventilations. Which
arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) value signifies adequate
ventilations?
1. The stroke team is assessing a patient with a suspected stroke.
The patient is alert and able to carry on a conversation, although
the patient has difficulty getting the words out. Testing confirms
that the patient has had an ischemic stroke. Based on the patient's
medical history, a history of which arrhythmia would alert the team
to the patient's increased risk for stroke?
Atrial fibrillation
Atrial tachycardia
Bradycardia
Ventricular fibrillation
Answer Atrial fibrillation
Between 15 and 20 percent of embolic strokes are caused by atrial fibrillation.
2. A 30-year-old patient has been brought to the emergency
department in cardiac arrest. The cardiac monitor shows the
following rhythm. Interpretation of this rhythm would suggest which
of the following as a possible precipitating factor?
Cardiac
tamponade
Electrocution
,Hemorrhage
Antibiotic use
Answer Electrocution
The rhythm is ventricular fibrillation. Precipitating causes of ventricular fibrillation include electrocution,
myocardial ischemia or infarction, shock, stimulant overdose and ventricular tachycardia.
3. A 28-year-old pregnant patient who resides in transitional housing
presents to the emergency department with complaints of feeling
feverish and very faint. The patient tells the emergency nurse that
she does not know when she became pregnant. Upon palpation, the
fundus is not at or above the umbilicus. The patient's condition
quickly deteriorates and she goes into cardiac arrest. If available and
able to be used without impeding or delaying the resuscitation
effort, what diagnostic tool could be used to guide decision-making in
the care of this patient?
Point-of-care
ultrasound Fetal
monitoring
Fetal echocardiogram
Abdominal radiograph
Answer Point-of-care ultrasound
Gestational age is an important consideration when determining the approach to a pregnant patient in
cardiac arrest. If the gestational age is not known and point-of-care ultrasound is available and able to be
, performed without impeding or delaying the resuscitation effort, it can be used to quickly estimate
gestational age and guide decision-making.
4. A person suddenly collapses while sitting in the sunroom of a
healthcare facility. A healthcare provider observes the event and
hurries over to assess the situation. The healthcare provider
performs which assessment first?
Secondary
assessment Primary
assessment Rapid
assessment
Basic life support assessment
Answer Rapid assessment
A systematic approach to assessment is necessary. The healthcare provider should first perform a rapid
assessment. A rapid assessment is a visual survey to ensure safety, form an initial impression about the
patient's condition (including looking for life-threatening bleeding), and determine the need for additional
resources. This would be followed by a primary assessment and then a secondary assessment.
5. A patient is receiving ventilation support via bag-valve-mask
(BVM) resus- citator. Capnography is established and a blood gas is
obtained to evaluate the adequacy of the ventilations. Which
arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) value signifies adequate
ventilations?
