ACLS FINAL EXAM Actual Questions and
Verified Answers
1. A patient is experiencing respiratory distress secondary to an exacerbation
of COPD. The patient begins to exhibit signs and symptoms of worsening
respiratory function and experiences respiratory arrest. The team
intervenes, delivering ventilations via BVM resuscitator. The team should
provide
ventilations at a rate of 1 ventilation
A. Every 3 seconds
B. Every 6 seconds
C. Every 8 seconds
D. Every 10 seconds
ANS B
2. A member of the resuscitation team is preparing to administer
medications intravenously to a patient in cardiac arrest. The team member
should follow each peripherally administered drug dose with a normal saline
flush. How much would the team member give?
A. 5-10 ml
B. 10-20 ml
C. 20-30 ml
D. 30-40 ml
ANS B
3. A patient arrives at the emergency department complaining of shortness
of breath. The patient has a long history of COPD. Assessment reveals
respiratory failure. Which actions would be the initial priority to address the
respiratory failure?
,A. Establishment of vascular access
B. Delivery of supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula
C. Assisted ventilation with BVM resuscitator
D. Initiation of capnography
ANS C
4. A patient in cardiac arrest experiences ROSC. As part of post-cardiac
arrest care, the patient is receiving mechanical ventilation at an initial
rebate of 10 breaths/min and a fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) of 0.30.
Which finding(s) would indicated the need for change in the ventilator
settings to optimize the patient's ventilation and oxygenation?
A. SaO2 96%
B. PaCO2 48 mmHg
C. ETCO2 55 mmHg
D. ETCO2 40 mmHg
E. SaO2 90%
ANS B, C, E
5.What is the priority intervention for a patient with a narrow-complex
tachy- cardia (160 BPM) and a blood pressure of 72/48 mmHg?
A. Perform immediate synchronized cardio version
B. Administer amiodarone, 150 mg IV over 10 minutes
C. Perform carotid massage
D. Administer adenosine, 6 mg via rapid IV push
ANS A. Perform immediate synchro- nized cardio version
Recommended for a aptient with signs of hemodynamic compromise
and a super- ventricualr tachycardia. A vagal maneuver, such as carotid
massage, is recommend- ed for a aptient with a narrow-complex
tachycardia if the rhythm is regular and there are no signs and syptoms
of hemodynaic compromise.
, 6.A patient enters the emergency department in respiratory compromise.
The team is monitoring the patient using capnography and identifies that
ETCO2 levels are initially 33 mmHg and alter 40 mmHg. From these
readings, the team identifies that the patient is progressing in what stage of
respiratory compromise?
A. Respiratory distress
B. Respiratory arrest
C. Respiratory failure
D. Respiratory acidosis
ANS A. Respiratory Distress
7.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 patients medical history, the
healthcare provider identifies which agent(s) as a potential cause of the
patient's current condition?
A. Metoprolol
B. Verapamil
C. Digoxin
D. Quinapril
E. Losartan
ANS A. Metoprolol
B. Verapail
C. Digoxin
8.Which statements accurately reflect the recommendations for post-
cardiac arrest neuroprognostication?
A. Status epilepticus can be used to accurately predict a poor
neurologic outcome
B. Decision making related to the continuation or withdrawal of life-
Verified Answers
1. A patient is experiencing respiratory distress secondary to an exacerbation
of COPD. The patient begins to exhibit signs and symptoms of worsening
respiratory function and experiences respiratory arrest. The team
intervenes, delivering ventilations via BVM resuscitator. The team should
provide
ventilations at a rate of 1 ventilation
A. Every 3 seconds
B. Every 6 seconds
C. Every 8 seconds
D. Every 10 seconds
ANS B
2. A member of the resuscitation team is preparing to administer
medications intravenously to a patient in cardiac arrest. The team member
should follow each peripherally administered drug dose with a normal saline
flush. How much would the team member give?
A. 5-10 ml
B. 10-20 ml
C. 20-30 ml
D. 30-40 ml
ANS B
3. A patient arrives at the emergency department complaining of shortness
of breath. The patient has a long history of COPD. Assessment reveals
respiratory failure. Which actions would be the initial priority to address the
respiratory failure?
,A. Establishment of vascular access
B. Delivery of supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula
C. Assisted ventilation with BVM resuscitator
D. Initiation of capnography
ANS C
4. A patient in cardiac arrest experiences ROSC. As part of post-cardiac
arrest care, the patient is receiving mechanical ventilation at an initial
rebate of 10 breaths/min and a fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) of 0.30.
Which finding(s) would indicated the need for change in the ventilator
settings to optimize the patient's ventilation and oxygenation?
A. SaO2 96%
B. PaCO2 48 mmHg
C. ETCO2 55 mmHg
D. ETCO2 40 mmHg
E. SaO2 90%
ANS B, C, E
5.What is the priority intervention for a patient with a narrow-complex
tachy- cardia (160 BPM) and a blood pressure of 72/48 mmHg?
A. Perform immediate synchronized cardio version
B. Administer amiodarone, 150 mg IV over 10 minutes
C. Perform carotid massage
D. Administer adenosine, 6 mg via rapid IV push
ANS A. Perform immediate synchro- nized cardio version
Recommended for a aptient with signs of hemodynamic compromise
and a super- ventricualr tachycardia. A vagal maneuver, such as carotid
massage, is recommend- ed for a aptient with a narrow-complex
tachycardia if the rhythm is regular and there are no signs and syptoms
of hemodynaic compromise.
, 6.A patient enters the emergency department in respiratory compromise.
The team is monitoring the patient using capnography and identifies that
ETCO2 levels are initially 33 mmHg and alter 40 mmHg. From these
readings, the team identifies that the patient is progressing in what stage of
respiratory compromise?
A. Respiratory distress
B. Respiratory arrest
C. Respiratory failure
D. Respiratory acidosis
ANS A. Respiratory Distress
7.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 patients medical history, the
healthcare provider identifies which agent(s) as a potential cause of the
patient's current condition?
A. Metoprolol
B. Verapamil
C. Digoxin
D. Quinapril
E. Losartan
ANS A. Metoprolol
B. Verapail
C. Digoxin
8.Which statements accurately reflect the recommendations for post-
cardiac arrest neuroprognostication?
A. Status epilepticus can be used to accurately predict a poor
neurologic outcome
B. Decision making related to the continuation or withdrawal of life-
