Answers 2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style
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1. A patient becomes acutely unresponsive in a treatment
area. After confirming the patient is not breathing normally,
what is the most appropriate immediate priority?
A. Obtain a complete medical history
B. Activate the emergency response system and begin high-
quality CPR
C. Obtain a 12-lead ECG before intervening
D. Establish intravenous access before beginning compressions
The priority in suspected cardiac arrest is rapid recognition,
activation of the emergency response system, and initiation of
high-quality CPR. Diagnostic procedures and IV access are
secondary to restoring circulation. Current AHA guidance
emphasizes minimizing interruptions in chest compressions and
beginning resuscitative measures promptly.
2. Which assessment finding most strongly indicates
inadequate peripheral perfusion?
,A. Warm skin with brisk capillary refill
B. Bounding peripheral pulses
C. Cool, clammy skin with weak peripheral pulses
D. Pink skin with a regular pulse
Cool, clammy skin and weak peripheral pulses are classic
findings associated with reduced peripheral perfusion. They
reflect sympathetic vasoconstriction and decreased effective
circulating blood flow. These findings should prompt
assessment for causes such as hypovolemia, shock, or impaired
cardiac output.
3. Which chamber of the heart pumps oxygenated blood into
the systemic circulation?
A. Right atrium
B. Right ventricle
C. Left atrium
D. Left ventricle
The left ventricle receives oxygenated blood from the left atrium
and ejects it through the aorta into systemic circulation. Its
muscular wall is thicker than that of the right ventricle because
it must generate the pressure required for systemic perfusion.
4. A patient has a respiratory rate of 8/min, shallow
respirations, and increasing somnolence after receiving an
opioid. Which intervention is the highest priority?
,A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Obtain a routine chest radiograph
C. Support ventilation and initiate appropriate emergency
response measures
D. Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
Opioid toxicity can produce respiratory depression that
progresses to hypoxia and cardiac arrest. Immediate attention
to airway and ventilation is therefore more important than
nonurgent diagnostic or supportive measures. Current
resuscitation guidance incorporates opioid antagonists into
appropriate respiratory- and cardiac-arrest algorithms.
5. Which electrolyte abnormality is most closely associated
with potentially life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias when
severe?
A. Mild hypernatremia
B. Mild hyperchloremia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Mild hypophosphatemia
Potassium has a major influence on myocardial electrical
activity. Significant hyperkalemia can produce conduction
abnormalities, peaked T waves, QRS widening, ventricular
dysrhythmias, and eventually cardiac arrest. Prompt recognition
and treatment are therefore critical.
, 6. During adult CPR without an advanced airway, which
compression-to-ventilation ratio is recommended?
A. 15:1
B. 30:2
C. 30:5
D. 50:2
For adult cardiac arrest without an advanced airway, current
AHA guidance supports cycles of 30 compressions followed by 2
breaths. The goal is to maintain effective circulation while
providing ventilation and minimizing interruptions in
compressions.
7. What is the recommended chest-compression rate for an
adult in cardiac arrest?
A. 60–80/min
B. 80–90/min
C. 100–120/min
D. 130–150/min
The recommended adult compression rate is 100–120
compressions per minute. Rates substantially below or above
this range can reduce CPR effectiveness. Adequate depth and
complete recoil are also essential components of high-quality
CPR.