ALS Final Exam UPDATED Exam Questions
and CORRECT Answers
The ECG rhythm strip of a patient who arrived in the emergency department complaining of
dizziness, syncope and shortness of breath reveals sinus bradycardia. When reviewing the
patient's medication history, the healthcare provider identifies which agent(s) as a potential cause
of the patient's current condition? - CORRECT ANSWER - Digoxin
Verapamil
Metoprolol
A patient experiencing an unstable bradyarrhythmia does not respond to atropine. Which
interventions could the healthcare provider use next? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Epinephrine/dopamine infusion
Transcutaneous pacing
A patient presents to the emergency department with mild to moderate recurrent chest pain,
without any nausea or vomiting. A 12-lead ECG is obtained and shows ST-segment depression
with transient T-wave elevation indicative of NSTE-ACS. Cardiac serum markers are obtained
and are not elevated. The patient's risk-stratification score indicates low risk. These findings
suggest which condition? - CORRECT ANSWER - Unstable angina
The following capnogram is from a patient experiencing respiratory distress. At which point in
the waveform would the patient's ETCO2 level be measured? - CORRECT ANSWER -D
(end of the peaked plateau, right before it inverts downwards)
A patient comes to the emergency department complaining of palpitations and "some shortness
of breath." Cardiac monitoring is initiated and reveals the following ECG rhythm strip. The
provider interprets this strip as indicating which arrhythmia? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Atrial flutter
, MGRADES
A healthcare provider initiates ventilations to ensure adequate breathing and oxygenation. While
ventilations are being performed, capnography is established to evaluate the adequacy of the
ventilations. The healthcare provider determines that ventilations are adequate based on which
end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) value? - CORRECT ANSWER - 35-45 mmHg
A healthcare provider is establishing cardiac monitoring using a five-electrode system. The
healthcare provider demonstrates proper use of the system by placing the green electrode in
which location? - CORRECT ANSWER - Lower right abdomen
A patient with suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is placed on a cardiac monitor. The
patient is complaining of dyspnea and is given supplemental oxygen. The provider determines
that the supplemental oxygen dose is correct based on which SaO2 level? - CORRECT
ANSWER - 95%
A patient's capnogram reveals the following waveform. Which segment would the healthcare
provider interpret as reflecting the beginning of exhalation? - CORRECT ANSWER - A-B
(the flat line before a sharp rise towards the peaked plateau)
Assessment of a patient in the emergency department reveals that the patient is experiencing
respiratory compromise. From the assessment, the team identifies that the patient is in the earliest
stage of this condition. Which stage would this be? - CORRECT ANSWER - Respiratory
distress
After cardiac arrest and successful resuscitation, the patient has a return of spontaneous
circulation. The patient is unable to follow verbal commands. Targeted temperature management
is initiated. Which method(s) would be appropriate for the resuscitation team to use? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Giving ice-cold IV fluid bolus
Applying cooling blankets
Using an endovascular catheter
A patient with a suspected stroke arrives at the emergency department at 7:10 p.m. The stroke
team ensures that a comprehensive neurologic assessment using the National Institutes of Health