ACLS STUDY GUIDE Exam QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED
Which of these tests should be performed for a pt with suspected stroke as early as
possible but no more than 20 min after hospital arrival? - Answer-Noncontrast CT scan
of head
Which best describes this rhythm? - Answer-Monomorphic Vent Tach
Which is an acceptable method of selecting an appropriately sized oropharyngeal
airway? - Answer-Measure from the corner of the mouth to the angle of mandible
You are caring for a pt with a suspected stroke whose symptoms started 2 hours ago.
The CT scan was normal, with no signs of hemorrhage. The pt does not have any
contraindications to fibrinolytic therapy. Which treatment is best for this pt? - Answer-
Give fibrinolytic therapy as soon as possible and consider endovascular therapy
Which is the recommended next step after a defibrillation attempt? - Answer-Resume
CPR, starting with chest compressions
Which of the following signs is a likely indicator of cardiac arrest in an unresponsive pt?
- Answer-Agonal gasps
You are evaluating a 58YO man with chest discomfort. His BP is 92/50 mmHG, his HR
is 92/min, his nonlabored RR is 14/min, and his pulse ox is 97%. Which assessment
step is most important now? - Answer-Obtaining a 12-lead ECG
During post-cardiac arrest care, which is the recommended duration of targeted
temperature management after reaching the correct temperature range? - Answer-At
least 24 hours
Your rescue team arrives to find a 59YO man lying on the kitchen floor. You determine
that he is unresponsive. What is the next step in your assessment and management of
this pt? - Answer-Check the pt's breathing and pulse
(SET) A 45YO man had coronary stents placed 2 days ago. Today he is in severe
distress and is reporting "crushing" chest discomfort. Pale, diaphoretic, cool to touch,
weak radial pulse, BP 64/40 mmHg, RR 28/min, 89% RA. VTach changed to VFib.
On the basis of this pt's initial presentation, which condition do you suspect led to the
cardiac arrest? - Answer-Acute Coronary Syndrome
, (SET) A 45YO man had coronary stents placed 2 days ago. Today he is in severe
distress and is reporting "crushing" chest discomfort. Pale, diaphoretic, cool to touch,
weak radial pulse, BP 64/40 mmHg, RR 28/min, 89% RA. VTach changed to VFib.
In addition to defibrillation, which intervention should be performed immediately? -
Answer-Chest compressions
(SET) A 45YO man had coronary stents placed 2 days ago. Today he is in severe
distress and is reporting "crushing" chest discomfort. Pale, diaphoretic, cool to touch,
weak radial pulse, BP 64/40 mmHg, RR 28/min, 89% RA. VTach changed to VFib.
Despite 2 defib attempts, the pt remains in VFib. Which drug and dose should you
administer FIRST to this pt? - Answer-Epi 1mg
(SET) A 45YO man had coronary stents placed 2 days ago. Today he is in severe
distress and is reporting "crushing" chest discomfort. Pale, diaphoretic, cool to touch,
weak radial pulse, BP 64/40 mmHg, RR 28/min, 89% RA. VTach changed to VFib.
Despite the drug provided above and continued CPR, the pt remains in VFib. Which
other drug should be administered NEXT? - Answer-Lido 1 to 1.5mg/kg
(SET) A 45YO man had coronary stents placed 2 days ago. Today he is in severe
distress and is reporting "crushing" chest discomfort. Pale, diaphoretic, cool to touch,
weak radial pulse, BP 64/40 mmHg, RR 28/min, 89% RA. VTach changed to VFib.
The pt has ROSC and is not able to follow commands. Which immediate post-cardiac
arrest care intervention do you choose for this pt? - Answer-Initiate targeted
temperature management
(SET) A 45YO man had coronary stents placed 2 days ago. Today he is in severe
distress and is reporting "crushing" chest discomfort. Pale, diaphoretic, cool to touch,
weak radial pulse, BP 64/40 mmHg, RR 28/min, 89% RA. VTach changed to VFib.
Which would you have done first if the pt had not gone into VFib? - Answer-Performed
synchronized cardioversion
How can you increase chest compression fraction during a code? - Answer-Charge the
defib 15s before conducting a rhythm check
A team member is unable to perform an assigned task because it is beyond the team
member's scope of practice. Which action should the team member take? - Answer-Ask
for a new task or role
In addition to clinical assessment, which is the most reliable method to confirm and
monitor correct placement of the ET tube? - Answer-Continuous waveform capnography
WITH VERIFIED
Which of these tests should be performed for a pt with suspected stroke as early as
possible but no more than 20 min after hospital arrival? - Answer-Noncontrast CT scan
of head
Which best describes this rhythm? - Answer-Monomorphic Vent Tach
Which is an acceptable method of selecting an appropriately sized oropharyngeal
airway? - Answer-Measure from the corner of the mouth to the angle of mandible
You are caring for a pt with a suspected stroke whose symptoms started 2 hours ago.
The CT scan was normal, with no signs of hemorrhage. The pt does not have any
contraindications to fibrinolytic therapy. Which treatment is best for this pt? - Answer-
Give fibrinolytic therapy as soon as possible and consider endovascular therapy
Which is the recommended next step after a defibrillation attempt? - Answer-Resume
CPR, starting with chest compressions
Which of the following signs is a likely indicator of cardiac arrest in an unresponsive pt?
- Answer-Agonal gasps
You are evaluating a 58YO man with chest discomfort. His BP is 92/50 mmHG, his HR
is 92/min, his nonlabored RR is 14/min, and his pulse ox is 97%. Which assessment
step is most important now? - Answer-Obtaining a 12-lead ECG
During post-cardiac arrest care, which is the recommended duration of targeted
temperature management after reaching the correct temperature range? - Answer-At
least 24 hours
Your rescue team arrives to find a 59YO man lying on the kitchen floor. You determine
that he is unresponsive. What is the next step in your assessment and management of
this pt? - Answer-Check the pt's breathing and pulse
(SET) A 45YO man had coronary stents placed 2 days ago. Today he is in severe
distress and is reporting "crushing" chest discomfort. Pale, diaphoretic, cool to touch,
weak radial pulse, BP 64/40 mmHg, RR 28/min, 89% RA. VTach changed to VFib.
On the basis of this pt's initial presentation, which condition do you suspect led to the
cardiac arrest? - Answer-Acute Coronary Syndrome
, (SET) A 45YO man had coronary stents placed 2 days ago. Today he is in severe
distress and is reporting "crushing" chest discomfort. Pale, diaphoretic, cool to touch,
weak radial pulse, BP 64/40 mmHg, RR 28/min, 89% RA. VTach changed to VFib.
In addition to defibrillation, which intervention should be performed immediately? -
Answer-Chest compressions
(SET) A 45YO man had coronary stents placed 2 days ago. Today he is in severe
distress and is reporting "crushing" chest discomfort. Pale, diaphoretic, cool to touch,
weak radial pulse, BP 64/40 mmHg, RR 28/min, 89% RA. VTach changed to VFib.
Despite 2 defib attempts, the pt remains in VFib. Which drug and dose should you
administer FIRST to this pt? - Answer-Epi 1mg
(SET) A 45YO man had coronary stents placed 2 days ago. Today he is in severe
distress and is reporting "crushing" chest discomfort. Pale, diaphoretic, cool to touch,
weak radial pulse, BP 64/40 mmHg, RR 28/min, 89% RA. VTach changed to VFib.
Despite the drug provided above and continued CPR, the pt remains in VFib. Which
other drug should be administered NEXT? - Answer-Lido 1 to 1.5mg/kg
(SET) A 45YO man had coronary stents placed 2 days ago. Today he is in severe
distress and is reporting "crushing" chest discomfort. Pale, diaphoretic, cool to touch,
weak radial pulse, BP 64/40 mmHg, RR 28/min, 89% RA. VTach changed to VFib.
The pt has ROSC and is not able to follow commands. Which immediate post-cardiac
arrest care intervention do you choose for this pt? - Answer-Initiate targeted
temperature management
(SET) A 45YO man had coronary stents placed 2 days ago. Today he is in severe
distress and is reporting "crushing" chest discomfort. Pale, diaphoretic, cool to touch,
weak radial pulse, BP 64/40 mmHg, RR 28/min, 89% RA. VTach changed to VFib.
Which would you have done first if the pt had not gone into VFib? - Answer-Performed
synchronized cardioversion
How can you increase chest compression fraction during a code? - Answer-Charge the
defib 15s before conducting a rhythm check
A team member is unable to perform an assigned task because it is beyond the team
member's scope of practice. Which action should the team member take? - Answer-Ask
for a new task or role
In addition to clinical assessment, which is the most reliable method to confirm and
monitor correct placement of the ET tube? - Answer-Continuous waveform capnography
