ACLS Practice Test solution A graded exam

Chest compressions for an adult are performed: a. at a rate between 60-80 compressions b. at a rate of at least 80 compressions per minute c. at a rate between 80-100 compressions per minute d. at a rate between 100-120 compressions per minute - d. at a rate between 100-120 compressions per minute The ratio of compressions to breaths in adults is: a. 15:1 b. 10:2 c. 20:2 d. 30:2 - d. 30:2 *No matter how many rescuers are available (in adults), the correct ratio is 30 to 2. An adult patient in respiratory arrest with a pulse is ventilated via bag valve mask: a. 8-10 times per minute b. 10-12 times per minute c. 12-14 times per minute d. 14-16 times per minute - b. 10-12 times per minute *When there is no advanced airway in place, ventilations should be given 10 to 12 times per minute. This translates to one ventilation every 5 to 6 seconds. Hypotension following cardiac arrest is NOT treated with: a. IV calcium infusion b. IV dopamine infusion c. IV epinephrine infusion d. IV ringer's lactate or IV normal saline - a. IV calcium infusion *Fluid resuscitation and/or "pressors" like epinephrine and dopamine are used to maintain blood pressure after cardiac arrest. Hypocalcemia, if present, can be treated separately but this is not a standard treatment for hypotension. The leader in team resuscitation must: a. be able to perform all the skills if needed b. be certified as a leader c. be a physician d. undergo leadership training - a. be able to perform all the skills if needed *There is no special training required to be a team leader other than the ability to perform all facets of the resuscitation, if needed. While the team leader is often a physician, this is not essential as long as a team member is capable of prescribing ACLS medications. Recommended ED door to balloon inflation time for a STEMI patient is: a. no longer than 15 minutes b. no longer than 30 minutes c. no longer than 60 minutes d. no longer than 90 minutes - d. no longer than 90 minutes *Programs should be set up to have STEMI patients diagnosed, evaluated, and treated within 90 minutes of arriving to the emergency department The effectiveness of CPR can be estimated by: a. arterial diastolic blood pressure b. quantitative waveform capnography c. central venous oxygen saturation d. all of the above - d. all of the above *All of these measures can inform providers about the quality of CPR. The quantitative waveform capnography goal is at least 10 mm Hg during CPR. Arterial diastolic blood pressure should be at least 20 mm Hg during CPR. Central venous oxygen saturation as measured by a Swan-Ganz catheter or equivalent should be at least 30%. Narrow-complex supra ventricular tachycardia is best treated with: a. adenosine b. amiodarone c. atropine d. epinephrine - a. adenosin