ACLS POST TEST
Actual Questions and Answers
Expert-Verified Explanation
This ACLS Post Test contains:
❖ The Test has passing score of 90%
❖ 50 Questions and Answers
❖ Format Set of Multiple-choice
❖ Expert-Verified Explanation
❖ Verified with Trusted Textbooks
,### 1. A 48-year-old man became unresponsive shortly after presenting to you
with nausea and generalized chest discomfort. You observe gasping breathing
and are unsure if you feel a pulse. You should know:
A. Call for help and begin chest compressions.
B. Wait until breathing stops and then check again for a pulse.
C. Begin chest compressions only if you are certain a pulse is absent.
D. Observe the patient for 2 minutes, then reassess his breathing and pulse.
**Answer: A. Call for help and begin chest compressions.**
**Expert Explanation:** In the presence of an unresponsive patient with
gasping breaths, which can indicate inadequate ventilation or a possible
cardiac arrest, initiating chest compressions is crucial. Compressions should
be started immediately while calling for help, as time is critical in these
situations to restore circulation.
---
### 2. Which of the following is the most likely complication of inferior wall
myocardial infarction (MI)?
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Ventricular rupture
C. Bradydysrhythmias
D. Tachydysrhythmias
**Answer: C. Bradydysrhythmias**
**Expert Explanation:** Inferior wall myocardial infarctions often affect the
right coronary artery, which supplies the inferior part of the heart. This type of
MI can be associated with both bradycardia due to increased vagal tone and
,conduction abnormalities because of ischemia to the coronary conduction
pathways.
---
### 3. A 52-year-old man is complaining of palpitations that came on suddenly
after walking up a short flight of stairs. His symptoms have been present for
about 20 minutes. He is not short of breath. His blood pressure is 144/88 mm
Hg, his heart rate is 186 beats/min. What medication is most appropriate in
this situation?
A. Dopamine or sotalol
B. Furosemide or atropine
C. Nitroglycerin (NTG) or morphine
D. Procainamide or amiodarone
**Answer: D. Procainamide or amiodarone**
**Expert Explanation:** Given the patient’s unstable tachycardia (186
beats/min) without chest pain, administering antiarrhythmic medications such
as procainamide or amiodarone would be appropriate. They can help stabilize
his rhythm and reduce heart rate.
---
, ### 4. Your general impression of a 78-year-old woman reveals that her eyes
are closed, she is not moving, and you can see no rise and fall of her chest or
abdomen. When you arrive at her side, you confirm that she is unresponsive.
Your best action in this situation will be to:
A. Open her airway and give two breaths.
B. Apply an automated external defibrillator (AED).
C. Assess breathing and determine whether she has a pulse.
D. Prepare the necessary equipment to insert an advanced airway.
**Answer: C. Assess breathing and determine whether she has a pulse.**
**Expert Explanation:** Before starting interventions such as CPR or using an
AED, it is crucial to assess breathing and pulse. This step determines the
appropriate course of action based on whether the patient is in cardiac arrest.
---
### 5. A 60-year-old woman has suffered cardiac arrest. A health care
professional trained in endotracheal intubation has intubated the patient.
Which of the following findings would indicate inadvertent esophageal
intubation?
A. Jugular vein distention
B. Subcutaneous emphysema
C. Gurgling sounds heard over the epigastrium
D. Breath sounds heard on only one side of the chest
**Answer: C. Gurgling sounds heard over the epigastrium**
Actual Questions and Answers
Expert-Verified Explanation
This ACLS Post Test contains:
❖ The Test has passing score of 90%
❖ 50 Questions and Answers
❖ Format Set of Multiple-choice
❖ Expert-Verified Explanation
❖ Verified with Trusted Textbooks
,### 1. A 48-year-old man became unresponsive shortly after presenting to you
with nausea and generalized chest discomfort. You observe gasping breathing
and are unsure if you feel a pulse. You should know:
A. Call for help and begin chest compressions.
B. Wait until breathing stops and then check again for a pulse.
C. Begin chest compressions only if you are certain a pulse is absent.
D. Observe the patient for 2 minutes, then reassess his breathing and pulse.
**Answer: A. Call for help and begin chest compressions.**
**Expert Explanation:** In the presence of an unresponsive patient with
gasping breaths, which can indicate inadequate ventilation or a possible
cardiac arrest, initiating chest compressions is crucial. Compressions should
be started immediately while calling for help, as time is critical in these
situations to restore circulation.
---
### 2. Which of the following is the most likely complication of inferior wall
myocardial infarction (MI)?
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Ventricular rupture
C. Bradydysrhythmias
D. Tachydysrhythmias
**Answer: C. Bradydysrhythmias**
**Expert Explanation:** Inferior wall myocardial infarctions often affect the
right coronary artery, which supplies the inferior part of the heart. This type of
MI can be associated with both bradycardia due to increased vagal tone and
,conduction abnormalities because of ischemia to the coronary conduction
pathways.
---
### 3. A 52-year-old man is complaining of palpitations that came on suddenly
after walking up a short flight of stairs. His symptoms have been present for
about 20 minutes. He is not short of breath. His blood pressure is 144/88 mm
Hg, his heart rate is 186 beats/min. What medication is most appropriate in
this situation?
A. Dopamine or sotalol
B. Furosemide or atropine
C. Nitroglycerin (NTG) or morphine
D. Procainamide or amiodarone
**Answer: D. Procainamide or amiodarone**
**Expert Explanation:** Given the patient’s unstable tachycardia (186
beats/min) without chest pain, administering antiarrhythmic medications such
as procainamide or amiodarone would be appropriate. They can help stabilize
his rhythm and reduce heart rate.
---
, ### 4. Your general impression of a 78-year-old woman reveals that her eyes
are closed, she is not moving, and you can see no rise and fall of her chest or
abdomen. When you arrive at her side, you confirm that she is unresponsive.
Your best action in this situation will be to:
A. Open her airway and give two breaths.
B. Apply an automated external defibrillator (AED).
C. Assess breathing and determine whether she has a pulse.
D. Prepare the necessary equipment to insert an advanced airway.
**Answer: C. Assess breathing and determine whether she has a pulse.**
**Expert Explanation:** Before starting interventions such as CPR or using an
AED, it is crucial to assess breathing and pulse. This step determines the
appropriate course of action based on whether the patient is in cardiac arrest.
---
### 5. A 60-year-old woman has suffered cardiac arrest. A health care
professional trained in endotracheal intubation has intubated the patient.
Which of the following findings would indicate inadvertent esophageal
intubation?
A. Jugular vein distention
B. Subcutaneous emphysema
C. Gurgling sounds heard over the epigastrium
D. Breath sounds heard on only one side of the chest
**Answer: C. Gurgling sounds heard over the epigastrium**
