ACLS Cardiac Arrest & Post-Cardiac Arrest Care
Questions & Answers
1. What do all cardiac arrest rhythms have in common?
Answer All are pulseless
2. Which ECG findings are seen in pulseless ventricular tachycardia?
Answer Indiscernible P waves
Wide QRS complexes
3. A patient's presenting rhythm is pulseless electrical activity (PEA). Which
pathophysiologic mechanisms are most likely?
Answer Inadequate preload
Impaired contractility
4. Which conditions can precipitate ventricular fibrillation?
Answer Ventricular tachycardia Shock
Myocardial ischemia or infarction
5. It is important to differentiate asystole from what other cardiac arrest
rhythm?
Answer Ventricular fibrillation
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6
, 6. Which of the following can be a pathophysiologic consequence of cardiac
arrest?
Answer Myocardial stunning
Systemic dysfunction
Brain injury
7. Which of the following can be an indication of ROSC?
Answer A palpable pulse
A sudden and sustained increase in ETCO2 A
measurable blood pressure
8. What are the goals for management of the patient during the post-cardiac
arrest period?
Answer Provide cardiac interventions as needed. Promote
neurological recovery
Optimize ventilation and oxygenation Manage
hemodynamics.
Address underlying causes.
9. Review the rhythm shown here and then decide how Dr. Ruiz should direct the
team's immediate next actions.
Answer "Kirron, please continue compressions."
"Charmar, please charge the defibrillator."
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6
Questions & Answers
1. What do all cardiac arrest rhythms have in common?
Answer All are pulseless
2. Which ECG findings are seen in pulseless ventricular tachycardia?
Answer Indiscernible P waves
Wide QRS complexes
3. A patient's presenting rhythm is pulseless electrical activity (PEA). Which
pathophysiologic mechanisms are most likely?
Answer Inadequate preload
Impaired contractility
4. Which conditions can precipitate ventricular fibrillation?
Answer Ventricular tachycardia Shock
Myocardial ischemia or infarction
5. It is important to differentiate asystole from what other cardiac arrest
rhythm?
Answer Ventricular fibrillation
1/
6
, 6. Which of the following can be a pathophysiologic consequence of cardiac
arrest?
Answer Myocardial stunning
Systemic dysfunction
Brain injury
7. Which of the following can be an indication of ROSC?
Answer A palpable pulse
A sudden and sustained increase in ETCO2 A
measurable blood pressure
8. What are the goals for management of the patient during the post-cardiac
arrest period?
Answer Provide cardiac interventions as needed. Promote
neurological recovery
Optimize ventilation and oxygenation Manage
hemodynamics.
Address underlying causes.
9. Review the rhythm shown here and then decide how Dr. Ruiz should direct the
team's immediate next actions.
Answer "Kirron, please continue compressions."
"Charmar, please charge the defibrillator."
2/
6
