ACLS Recertification Exam Questions and
Answers
1. A pt with STEMI has ongoing chest discomfort. Heparin 4000 units
IV bolus and heparin infusion of 1000 units/hr are being
administered. The pt did not take ASA because he has a hx of
gastritis, which was tx 5 years ago.
What is the next action?
A. Give ASA 160 to 325 mg to chew
B. Give clopidogrel 300 mg PO
C. Give enteric-coated ASA 75 mg PO
D. Give enteric-coated ASA 325 mg rectally
Answer A. Give ASA 160 to 325 mg to chew
2. A pt is in pulseless ventricular tachycardia. 2 shocks and 1 dose of
epinephrine have been given. Which drug should be given next?
A. Adenosine 6 mg
B. Amiodarone 300 mg
C. Epinephrine 3 mg
D. Lidocaine 0.5 mg/kg
Answer B. Amiodarone 300 mg
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16
,3. A pt is in cardiac arrest. V fib has been refractory to an initial
shock. If no pathway for medication administration is in place,
which method is preferred
A. Central line
B. Endotracheal tube
C. External Jugular vein
D. IV or IO
Answer D. IV or IO
4. What is the indication for the use of Mg in cardiac arrest?
A. V tach associated with a normal QT interval
B. shock-refractory monomorphic v tach
C. Pulseless v tach-associated torsades de pointes
D. shock-refractory v fib
Answer C. Pulseless v tach-associated torsades de pointes
5. You arrive on the scene with the code team. CRP is in progess.
An AED previously advised "no shock indicated." A rhythm check
now finds asystole. After resuming compressions, which action do
you take next?
A. Call for a pulse check
B. establish IV or IO access
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16
, C. Insert a laryneal airway
D. Perform endotracheal intubation
Answer B. establish IV or IO access
6. A pt is in cardiac arrest. V fib has been refractory to a second
shock. Which drug should be administered first?
A. Atropine 1 mg IV/IO
B. epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO
C. Lidocaine 1 mg/kg IV/IO
D. Sodium bicarbonate 50 mEq IV/IO
Answer B. epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO
7. A pt with sinus bradycardia and a HR of 42/min has diaphoresis
and a BP of 80/60 mg. What is the initial dose of atropine?
A. 0.1 mg
B. 0.5 mg
C. 1 mg
D. 3 mg
Answer B. 0.5 mg
8. A pt is in refractory V fib. CRP is in progess. One dose of epinephrine
was given after the second shock. An antiarrhythimic drug was given
3/
16
Answers
1. A pt with STEMI has ongoing chest discomfort. Heparin 4000 units
IV bolus and heparin infusion of 1000 units/hr are being
administered. The pt did not take ASA because he has a hx of
gastritis, which was tx 5 years ago.
What is the next action?
A. Give ASA 160 to 325 mg to chew
B. Give clopidogrel 300 mg PO
C. Give enteric-coated ASA 75 mg PO
D. Give enteric-coated ASA 325 mg rectally
Answer A. Give ASA 160 to 325 mg to chew
2. A pt is in pulseless ventricular tachycardia. 2 shocks and 1 dose of
epinephrine have been given. Which drug should be given next?
A. Adenosine 6 mg
B. Amiodarone 300 mg
C. Epinephrine 3 mg
D. Lidocaine 0.5 mg/kg
Answer B. Amiodarone 300 mg
1/
16
,3. A pt is in cardiac arrest. V fib has been refractory to an initial
shock. If no pathway for medication administration is in place,
which method is preferred
A. Central line
B. Endotracheal tube
C. External Jugular vein
D. IV or IO
Answer D. IV or IO
4. What is the indication for the use of Mg in cardiac arrest?
A. V tach associated with a normal QT interval
B. shock-refractory monomorphic v tach
C. Pulseless v tach-associated torsades de pointes
D. shock-refractory v fib
Answer C. Pulseless v tach-associated torsades de pointes
5. You arrive on the scene with the code team. CRP is in progess.
An AED previously advised "no shock indicated." A rhythm check
now finds asystole. After resuming compressions, which action do
you take next?
A. Call for a pulse check
B. establish IV or IO access
2/
16
, C. Insert a laryneal airway
D. Perform endotracheal intubation
Answer B. establish IV or IO access
6. A pt is in cardiac arrest. V fib has been refractory to a second
shock. Which drug should be administered first?
A. Atropine 1 mg IV/IO
B. epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO
C. Lidocaine 1 mg/kg IV/IO
D. Sodium bicarbonate 50 mEq IV/IO
Answer B. epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO
7. A pt with sinus bradycardia and a HR of 42/min has diaphoresis
and a BP of 80/60 mg. What is the initial dose of atropine?
A. 0.1 mg
B. 0.5 mg
C. 1 mg
D. 3 mg
Answer B. 0.5 mg
8. A pt is in refractory V fib. CRP is in progess. One dose of epinephrine
was given after the second shock. An antiarrhythimic drug was given
3/
16
