American Red Cross ACLS Final
Exam | Questions and answers |
Latest version 2024/2025
A patient is in cardiac arrest. The cardiac monitor shows asystole. In addition to providing continuous
high-quality CPR, what is the other priority intervention for this patient? - ANSWER -Administering
epinephrine as early as possible
A patient has experienced return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after cardiac arrest. The
healthcare team is conducting a secondary assessment to determine the possible cause of the
patient's cardiac arrest. Before the arrest, the patient exhibited jugular venous distension, cyanosis,
apnea and hyperresonance on percussion. The patient was also difficult to ventilate during the
response. The team would most likely suspect which condition as the cause? - ANSWER -Tension
Pneumothorax
A patient with suspected stroke arrives at the emergency department. The patient is diagnosed with
acute ischemic stroke and is a candidate for fibrinolytic therapy. To achieve the best outcomes, this
therapy should be initiated within what time frame? - ANSWER -Within 1 hour of patient's arrival.
A patient in the telemetry unit is receiving continuous cardiac monitoring. The patient has a history
of myocardial infarction. The patient's ECG rhythm strip is shown in the following figure. The provider
interprets this strip as indicating which arrhythmia? - ANSWER -Third-degree AV block
A 28-year-old pregnant patient who resides in transitional housing presents to the emergency
department with complaints of feeling feverish and very faint. The patient tells the emergency nurse
that she does not know when she became pregnant. Upon palpation, the fundus is not at or above
the umbilicus. The patient's condition quickly deteriorates and she goes into cardiac arrest. If
available and able to be used without impeding or delaying the resuscitation effort, what diagnostic
tool could be used to guide decision-making in the care of this patient? - ANSWER -Point-of-care
ultrasound
Cardiac monitoring indicates that a patient has a ventricular tachyarrhythmia. The patient has a pulse
and is not showing any signs of hemodynamic compromise. A 12-lead ECG reveals an irregular
rhythm with QRS complexes greater than 0.12 second in duration. Which action would be
appropriate at this time? - ANSWER -Consider an antiarrhythmic medication
A responsive patient is choking. What method should the provider use first to clear the obstructed
airway? - ANSWER -Back blows
What is the priority intervention for a patient with a narrow-complex tachycardia (160 bpm) and a
blood pressure of 72/48 mmHg? - ANSWER -Perform immediate synchronized cardioversion
A patient is admitted to the emergency department with signs and symptoms of stroke. The stroke
team should complete a comprehensive neurologic assessment and obtain brain imaging results
within what time frame? - ANSWER -Within 20 minutes
Cardiac monitoring of a patient in cardiac arrest reveals ventricular fibrillation. In addition to high-
quality CPR, what intervention should be a priority for the team? - ANSWER -Defibrillation.
, A patient with suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS) has a pulse oximetry reading of 86% and is
given supplemental oxygen. The provider determines that the supplemental oxygen dose is correct
based on which SaO2 level? - ANSWER -93%
After cardiac arrest and successful resuscitation, the patient has a return of spontaneous circulation.
The patient is unable to follow verbal commands. Targeted temperature management is initiated.
Which method(s) would be appropriate for the resuscitation team to use? - ANSWER --Applying
cooling blankets to the patient's body
-Using an endovascular catheter
-Giving an ice-cold IV fluid bolus
A patient comes to the emergency department complaining of palpitations and "some shortness of
breath." Cardiac monitoring is initiated and reveals the following ECG rhythm strip. The provider
interprets this strip as indicating which arrhythmia? - ANSWER -Atrial flutter
A 35-year-old female patient's ECG is consistent with STEMI. The ECG reveals a new ST-segment
elevation at the J point in leads V2 and V3 of at least which size? - ANSWER -0.15 mV
The following capnogram is from a patient experiencing respiratory distress. At which point in the
waveform would the patient's ETCO2 level be measured? - ANSWER -D
For a patient with third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block and a blood pressure of 70/48 mmHg,
what interventions should be considered? - ANSWER --Initiate a dopamine infusion
-Administer atropine
-Initiate transcutaneous pacing
A patient arrives at the emergency department complaining of shortness of breath. The patient has a
long history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Assessment reveals respiratory failure. Which
action would be the initial priority to address the respiratory failure? - ANSWER -Assisted ventilation
with BVM resuscitator
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 patient's
medication history, the healthcare provider identifies which agent(s) as a potential cause of the
patient's current condition? - ANSWER --Verapamil
-Digoxin
-Metoprolol
A patient with acute renal failure experiences cardiac arrest. Just before the cardiac arrest, the
patient's ECG showed peaked T waves. What might be causing the patient's cardiac arrest? - ANSWER
-Hyperkalemia
A patient is experiencing respiratory distress secondary to an exacerbation of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease. 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: - ANSWER -Every 6
seconds
Exam | Questions and answers |
Latest version 2024/2025
A patient is in cardiac arrest. The cardiac monitor shows asystole. In addition to providing continuous
high-quality CPR, what is the other priority intervention for this patient? - ANSWER -Administering
epinephrine as early as possible
A patient has experienced return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after cardiac arrest. The
healthcare team is conducting a secondary assessment to determine the possible cause of the
patient's cardiac arrest. Before the arrest, the patient exhibited jugular venous distension, cyanosis,
apnea and hyperresonance on percussion. The patient was also difficult to ventilate during the
response. The team would most likely suspect which condition as the cause? - ANSWER -Tension
Pneumothorax
A patient with suspected stroke arrives at the emergency department. The patient is diagnosed with
acute ischemic stroke and is a candidate for fibrinolytic therapy. To achieve the best outcomes, this
therapy should be initiated within what time frame? - ANSWER -Within 1 hour of patient's arrival.
A patient in the telemetry unit is receiving continuous cardiac monitoring. The patient has a history
of myocardial infarction. The patient's ECG rhythm strip is shown in the following figure. The provider
interprets this strip as indicating which arrhythmia? - ANSWER -Third-degree AV block
A 28-year-old pregnant patient who resides in transitional housing presents to the emergency
department with complaints of feeling feverish and very faint. The patient tells the emergency nurse
that she does not know when she became pregnant. Upon palpation, the fundus is not at or above
the umbilicus. The patient's condition quickly deteriorates and she goes into cardiac arrest. If
available and able to be used without impeding or delaying the resuscitation effort, what diagnostic
tool could be used to guide decision-making in the care of this patient? - ANSWER -Point-of-care
ultrasound
Cardiac monitoring indicates that a patient has a ventricular tachyarrhythmia. The patient has a pulse
and is not showing any signs of hemodynamic compromise. A 12-lead ECG reveals an irregular
rhythm with QRS complexes greater than 0.12 second in duration. Which action would be
appropriate at this time? - ANSWER -Consider an antiarrhythmic medication
A responsive patient is choking. What method should the provider use first to clear the obstructed
airway? - ANSWER -Back blows
What is the priority intervention for a patient with a narrow-complex tachycardia (160 bpm) and a
blood pressure of 72/48 mmHg? - ANSWER -Perform immediate synchronized cardioversion
A patient is admitted to the emergency department with signs and symptoms of stroke. The stroke
team should complete a comprehensive neurologic assessment and obtain brain imaging results
within what time frame? - ANSWER -Within 20 minutes
Cardiac monitoring of a patient in cardiac arrest reveals ventricular fibrillation. In addition to high-
quality CPR, what intervention should be a priority for the team? - ANSWER -Defibrillation.
, A patient with suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS) has a pulse oximetry reading of 86% and is
given supplemental oxygen. The provider determines that the supplemental oxygen dose is correct
based on which SaO2 level? - ANSWER -93%
After cardiac arrest and successful resuscitation, the patient has a return of spontaneous circulation.
The patient is unable to follow verbal commands. Targeted temperature management is initiated.
Which method(s) would be appropriate for the resuscitation team to use? - ANSWER --Applying
cooling blankets to the patient's body
-Using an endovascular catheter
-Giving an ice-cold IV fluid bolus
A patient comes to the emergency department complaining of palpitations and "some shortness of
breath." Cardiac monitoring is initiated and reveals the following ECG rhythm strip. The provider
interprets this strip as indicating which arrhythmia? - ANSWER -Atrial flutter
A 35-year-old female patient's ECG is consistent with STEMI. The ECG reveals a new ST-segment
elevation at the J point in leads V2 and V3 of at least which size? - ANSWER -0.15 mV
The following capnogram is from a patient experiencing respiratory distress. At which point in the
waveform would the patient's ETCO2 level be measured? - ANSWER -D
For a patient with third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block and a blood pressure of 70/48 mmHg,
what interventions should be considered? - ANSWER --Initiate a dopamine infusion
-Administer atropine
-Initiate transcutaneous pacing
A patient arrives at the emergency department complaining of shortness of breath. The patient has a
long history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Assessment reveals respiratory failure. Which
action would be the initial priority to address the respiratory failure? - ANSWER -Assisted ventilation
with BVM resuscitator
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 patient's
medication history, the healthcare provider identifies which agent(s) as a potential cause of the
patient's current condition? - ANSWER --Verapamil
-Digoxin
-Metoprolol
A patient with acute renal failure experiences cardiac arrest. Just before the cardiac arrest, the
patient's ECG showed peaked T waves. What might be causing the patient's cardiac arrest? - ANSWER
-Hyperkalemia
A patient is experiencing respiratory distress secondary to an exacerbation of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease. 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: - ANSWER -Every 6
seconds
