ACLS Exam Questions and Answers with Complete Solutions

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? - ANSWER-Start chest compressions 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? - ANSWER-12 lead EKG What is the preferred method of access for epi administration during cardiac arrest in most pts? - ANSWER-Peripheral IV 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? - ANSWER-Administer 1 mg of epinephrine During a pause in CPR you see the ECG rhythm on the monitor. The patient has no pulse. What is the next action? - ANSWER-Resume chest compressions What is a common but sometimes fatal mistake in cardiac arrest management? - ANSWER-Prolonged interruptions Component of high quality chest compressions - ANSWER-Allow complete chest recoil Which action increases the chance of successful conversion of ventricular fibrillation? - ANSWER-Providing high quality compressions immediately before a defibrilation attempt Which situation best describes pulseless electrical activity? - ANSWER-Sinus rhythm without a pulse What is the best strategy for performing high quality CPR on a patient with an advanced airway in place? - ANSWER-Provide continuous chest compressions without pauses and 10 ventilations per minute Three minutes after witnessing a cardiac arrest, one member of your team inserts an endotracheal tube while another performs continuous chest compressions. During subsequent ventilation, you notice the presence of a waveform on the capnography screen and a PETCO2 level of 8 mm Hg. What is the significance of this finding? - ANSWER-Chest compressions may not be effective