AHA ACLS EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. Which type of atrioventricular block best describes this rhythm? - C) Second-
degree type II
2. Your patient is in cardiac arrest and has been intubated. To assess CPR
quality, which should you do? - A) Monitor the patient's PETCO2
3. Which facility is the most appropriate EMS destination for a patient with
sudden cardiac who achieved return of spontaneous circulation in the field? - D)
Coronary reperfusion-capable medical center
4. Which of the following signs is a likely indicator of cardiac arrest in an
unresponsive patient? - C) Agonal gasps
5. Which type of atrioventricular block best describes this rhythm? - B) Second-
degree atrioventricular block type I
6. To properly ventilate a patient with a perfusing rhythm, how often do you
squeeze the bag? - B) Once every 5 to 6 seconds.
,7. In addition to clinical assessment, which is the most reliable method to
confirm and monitor correct placement of an endotracheal tube? - C)
Continuous waveform capnography
8. You are caring for a patient with a suspected stroke whose symptoms started
2 hours ago. The CT scan was normal, with no signs of hemorrhage. The patient
does not have any contraindications to fibrinolytic therapy. Which treatment is
the best for this patient? - B) Start fibrinolytic therapy as soon as possible.
9. Which best describes this rhythm? - D) Third-degree atrioventricular block.
10. What is the recommended range from which a temperature should be
selected and maintained constantly to achieve targeted temperature management
after cardiac arrest? - C) 32 to 36 Degrees Celsius
11. Which is the recommended first intravenous dose of amiodarone for a
patient with refractory ventricular fibrillation? - D) 300 mg
12. What is the primary of a medical emergency team or rapid response team? -
B) Improving patient outcomes by identifying and treating early clinical
deterioration.
13. What is the recommended next step after a defibrillation attempt? - D)
Resume CPR, starting with chest compressions
14. EMS providers are treating a patient with suspected stroke. According to the
Adult Suspected Stroke Algorithm, which critical action performed by the EMS
team will expedite this patient's care on arrival and reduce the time to
treatment? - A) Alert the hospital.
,15. A responder is caring for a patient with a history of congestive heart failure.
The patient is experiencing shortness of breath, a blood pressure of 68/50
mmHg, and a heart rate of 190/min. The patient's lead II ECG is displayed here.
Which best characterizes this patient's rhythm? - D) Unstable supraventricular
tachycardia
16. Your rescue team arrives to find a 59-year-old man lying on the kitchen
floor. You determine that he is unresponsive. Which is the next step in your
assessment and management of this patient? - B) Check the patient's breathing
and pulse.
17. Which best describes the length of time it should take to perform a pulse
check during the BLS assessment? - B) 5 to 10 seconds
You find an unresponsive pt. who is not breathing. After activating the
emergency response system, you determine there is no pulse. What is your next
action? - Start chest compressions of at least 100 per min.
You are evaluating a 58 year old man with chest pain. The BP is 92/50 and a
heart rate of 92/min, non-labored respiratory rate is 14 breaths/min and the
pulse O2 is 97%. What assessment step is most important now? - Obtaining a
12 lead ECG.
Identification of Chest Discomfort Suggestive of Ischemia
, What is the preferred method of access for epi administration during cardiac
arrest in most pts? - Peripheral IV
An AED does not promptly analyze a rythm. What is your next step? - Begin
chest compressions.
You have completed 2 min of CPR. The ECG monitor displays the lead below
(PEA) and the pt. has no pulse. You partner resumes chest compressions and an
IV is in place. What management step is your next priority? - Administer 1mg
of epinepherine
During a pause in CPR, you see a narrow complex rythm on the monitor. The
pt. has no pulse. What is the next action? - Resume compressions
What is acommon but sometimes fatal mistake in cardiac arrest management? -
Prolonged interruptions in chest compressions.
Which action is a componant of high-quality chest comressions? - Allowing
complete chest recoil
Which action increases the chance of successful conversion of ventricular
fibrillation? - Providing quality compressions immediately before a
defibrillation attempt.
Which situation BEST describes PEA? - Sinus rythm without a pulse
AND ANSWERS
1. Which type of atrioventricular block best describes this rhythm? - C) Second-
degree type II
2. Your patient is in cardiac arrest and has been intubated. To assess CPR
quality, which should you do? - A) Monitor the patient's PETCO2
3. Which facility is the most appropriate EMS destination for a patient with
sudden cardiac who achieved return of spontaneous circulation in the field? - D)
Coronary reperfusion-capable medical center
4. Which of the following signs is a likely indicator of cardiac arrest in an
unresponsive patient? - C) Agonal gasps
5. Which type of atrioventricular block best describes this rhythm? - B) Second-
degree atrioventricular block type I
6. To properly ventilate a patient with a perfusing rhythm, how often do you
squeeze the bag? - B) Once every 5 to 6 seconds.
,7. In addition to clinical assessment, which is the most reliable method to
confirm and monitor correct placement of an endotracheal tube? - C)
Continuous waveform capnography
8. You are caring for a patient with a suspected stroke whose symptoms started
2 hours ago. The CT scan was normal, with no signs of hemorrhage. The patient
does not have any contraindications to fibrinolytic therapy. Which treatment is
the best for this patient? - B) Start fibrinolytic therapy as soon as possible.
9. Which best describes this rhythm? - D) Third-degree atrioventricular block.
10. What is the recommended range from which a temperature should be
selected and maintained constantly to achieve targeted temperature management
after cardiac arrest? - C) 32 to 36 Degrees Celsius
11. Which is the recommended first intravenous dose of amiodarone for a
patient with refractory ventricular fibrillation? - D) 300 mg
12. What is the primary of a medical emergency team or rapid response team? -
B) Improving patient outcomes by identifying and treating early clinical
deterioration.
13. What is the recommended next step after a defibrillation attempt? - D)
Resume CPR, starting with chest compressions
14. EMS providers are treating a patient with suspected stroke. According to the
Adult Suspected Stroke Algorithm, which critical action performed by the EMS
team will expedite this patient's care on arrival and reduce the time to
treatment? - A) Alert the hospital.
,15. A responder is caring for a patient with a history of congestive heart failure.
The patient is experiencing shortness of breath, a blood pressure of 68/50
mmHg, and a heart rate of 190/min. The patient's lead II ECG is displayed here.
Which best characterizes this patient's rhythm? - D) Unstable supraventricular
tachycardia
16. Your rescue team arrives to find a 59-year-old man lying on the kitchen
floor. You determine that he is unresponsive. Which is the next step in your
assessment and management of this patient? - B) Check the patient's breathing
and pulse.
17. Which best describes the length of time it should take to perform a pulse
check during the BLS assessment? - B) 5 to 10 seconds
You find an unresponsive pt. who is not breathing. After activating the
emergency response system, you determine there is no pulse. What is your next
action? - Start chest compressions of at least 100 per min.
You are evaluating a 58 year old man with chest pain. The BP is 92/50 and a
heart rate of 92/min, non-labored respiratory rate is 14 breaths/min and the
pulse O2 is 97%. What assessment step is most important now? - Obtaining a
12 lead ECG.
Identification of Chest Discomfort Suggestive of Ischemia
, What is the preferred method of access for epi administration during cardiac
arrest in most pts? - Peripheral IV
An AED does not promptly analyze a rythm. What is your next step? - Begin
chest compressions.
You have completed 2 min of CPR. The ECG monitor displays the lead below
(PEA) and the pt. has no pulse. You partner resumes chest compressions and an
IV is in place. What management step is your next priority? - Administer 1mg
of epinepherine
During a pause in CPR, you see a narrow complex rythm on the monitor. The
pt. has no pulse. What is the next action? - Resume compressions
What is acommon but sometimes fatal mistake in cardiac arrest management? -
Prolonged interruptions in chest compressions.
Which action is a componant of high-quality chest comressions? - Allowing
complete chest recoil
Which action increases the chance of successful conversion of ventricular
fibrillation? - Providing quality compressions immediately before a
defibrillation attempt.
Which situation BEST describes PEA? - Sinus rythm without a pulse
