ACLS Pre-Course Self-Assessment
Exam Questions with Complete
Answers
A patient has a rapid irregular wide-complex tachycardia. The ventricular rate is
138/min. He is asymptomatic, with a blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg. He has a
history of angina. What action is recommended next?
Performing synchronized cardioversion
Giving lidocaine 1 to 1.5 mg IV bolus
Giving adenosine 6 mg IV bolus
Seeking expert consultation - ANSWER-Seeking expert consultation
In which situation does bradycardia require treatment?
Diastolic blood pressure greater than 90 mm Hg
12-lead ECG showing a normal sinus rhythm
Hypotension
Systolic blood pressure greater than 100 mm Hg - ANSWER-Hypotension
What is the indication for the use of magnesium in cardiac arrest?
Shock-refractory monomorphic ventricular tachycardia
Ventricular tachycardia associated with a normal QT interval
Shock-refractory ventricular fibrillation
Pulseless ventricular tachycardia-associated torsades de pointes - ANSWER-
Pulseless ventricular tachycardia-associated torsades de pointes
You arrive on the scene with the code team. High-quality CPR is in progress. An
AED has previously advised "no shock indicated." A rhythm check now finds
asystole. After resuming high-quality compressions, which action do you take next?
Perform endotracheal intubation
Call for a pulse check
Insert a laryngeal airway
Establish IV or IO access - ANSWER-Establish IV or IO access
A 35-year-old woman has palpitations, light-headedness, and a stable tachycardia.
The monitor shows a regular narrow-complex QRS at a rate of 180/min. Vagal
maneuvers have not been effective in terminating the rhythm. An IV has been
established. Which drug should be administered?
Epinephrine 2 to 10 mcg/kg per minute
Lidocaine 1 mg/kg
Atropine 0.5 mg
Adenosine 6 mg - ANSWER-Adenosine 6 mg
, A 62-year-old man suddenly experienced difficulty speaking and left-sided
weakness. He meets initial criteria for fibrinolytic therapy, and a CT scan of the brain
is ordered. Which best describes the guidelines for antiplatelet and fibrinolytic
therapy?
Give aspirin 120 mg and clopidogrel 75 mg orally
Give aspirin 162 to 325 mg to be chewed immediately
Give heparin if the CT scan is negative for hemorrhage
Hold aspirin for at least 24 hours if rtPA is administered - ANSWER-Hold aspirin for
at least 24 hours if rtPA is administered
How often should you switch chest compressors to avoid fatigue?
About every 2 minutes
About every 4 minutes
About every 5 minutes
About every 3 minutes - ANSWER-About every 2 minutes
Your patient is a 56-year-old woman with a history of type 2 diabetes who reports
feeling dizzy. She is pale and diaphoretic. Her blood pressure is 80/60 mm Hg. The
cardiac monitor documents the rhythm shown here. She is receiving oxygen at 4
L/min by nasal cannula, and an IV has been established. What do you administer
next?
Dopamine at 2 to 10 mcg/kg per minute
Morphine sulfate 4 mg IV
Atropine 1 mg IV
Glucose 50% IV push - ANSWER-Atropine 1 mg IV
What action minimizes the risk of air entering the victim's stomach during bag-mask
ventilation?
Ventilating as quickly as you can
Ventilating until you see the chest rise
Squeezing the bag with both hands
Delivering the largest breath you can - ANSWER-Ventilating until you see the chest
rise
How does complete chest recoil contribute to effective CPR?
Reduces the risk of rib fractures
Allows maximum blood return to the heart
Reduces rescuer fatigue
Increases the rate of chest compressions - ANSWER-Allows maximum blood return
to the heart
A patient's 12-lead ECG is transmitted by the paramedics and shows a STEMI.
When the patient arrives in the emergency department, the rhythm shown here is
seen on the cardiac monitor. The patient has resolution of moderate (5/10) chest
pain after 3 doses of sublingual nitroglycerin. Blood pressure is 104/70 mm Hg.
Exam Questions with Complete
Answers
A patient has a rapid irregular wide-complex tachycardia. The ventricular rate is
138/min. He is asymptomatic, with a blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg. He has a
history of angina. What action is recommended next?
Performing synchronized cardioversion
Giving lidocaine 1 to 1.5 mg IV bolus
Giving adenosine 6 mg IV bolus
Seeking expert consultation - ANSWER-Seeking expert consultation
In which situation does bradycardia require treatment?
Diastolic blood pressure greater than 90 mm Hg
12-lead ECG showing a normal sinus rhythm
Hypotension
Systolic blood pressure greater than 100 mm Hg - ANSWER-Hypotension
What is the indication for the use of magnesium in cardiac arrest?
Shock-refractory monomorphic ventricular tachycardia
Ventricular tachycardia associated with a normal QT interval
Shock-refractory ventricular fibrillation
Pulseless ventricular tachycardia-associated torsades de pointes - ANSWER-
Pulseless ventricular tachycardia-associated torsades de pointes
You arrive on the scene with the code team. High-quality CPR is in progress. An
AED has previously advised "no shock indicated." A rhythm check now finds
asystole. After resuming high-quality compressions, which action do you take next?
Perform endotracheal intubation
Call for a pulse check
Insert a laryngeal airway
Establish IV or IO access - ANSWER-Establish IV or IO access
A 35-year-old woman has palpitations, light-headedness, and a stable tachycardia.
The monitor shows a regular narrow-complex QRS at a rate of 180/min. Vagal
maneuvers have not been effective in terminating the rhythm. An IV has been
established. Which drug should be administered?
Epinephrine 2 to 10 mcg/kg per minute
Lidocaine 1 mg/kg
Atropine 0.5 mg
Adenosine 6 mg - ANSWER-Adenosine 6 mg
, A 62-year-old man suddenly experienced difficulty speaking and left-sided
weakness. He meets initial criteria for fibrinolytic therapy, and a CT scan of the brain
is ordered. Which best describes the guidelines for antiplatelet and fibrinolytic
therapy?
Give aspirin 120 mg and clopidogrel 75 mg orally
Give aspirin 162 to 325 mg to be chewed immediately
Give heparin if the CT scan is negative for hemorrhage
Hold aspirin for at least 24 hours if rtPA is administered - ANSWER-Hold aspirin for
at least 24 hours if rtPA is administered
How often should you switch chest compressors to avoid fatigue?
About every 2 minutes
About every 4 minutes
About every 5 minutes
About every 3 minutes - ANSWER-About every 2 minutes
Your patient is a 56-year-old woman with a history of type 2 diabetes who reports
feeling dizzy. She is pale and diaphoretic. Her blood pressure is 80/60 mm Hg. The
cardiac monitor documents the rhythm shown here. She is receiving oxygen at 4
L/min by nasal cannula, and an IV has been established. What do you administer
next?
Dopamine at 2 to 10 mcg/kg per minute
Morphine sulfate 4 mg IV
Atropine 1 mg IV
Glucose 50% IV push - ANSWER-Atropine 1 mg IV
What action minimizes the risk of air entering the victim's stomach during bag-mask
ventilation?
Ventilating as quickly as you can
Ventilating until you see the chest rise
Squeezing the bag with both hands
Delivering the largest breath you can - ANSWER-Ventilating until you see the chest
rise
How does complete chest recoil contribute to effective CPR?
Reduces the risk of rib fractures
Allows maximum blood return to the heart
Reduces rescuer fatigue
Increases the rate of chest compressions - ANSWER-Allows maximum blood return
to the heart
A patient's 12-lead ECG is transmitted by the paramedics and shows a STEMI.
When the patient arrives in the emergency department, the rhythm shown here is
seen on the cardiac monitor. The patient has resolution of moderate (5/10) chest
pain after 3 doses of sublingual nitroglycerin. Blood pressure is 104/70 mm Hg.
