AHA ACLS Post-test Questions and Answers
To properly ventilate a patient with a perfusing rhythm, how often do you squeeze the bag?
Once every 6 seconds
Which of the following signs is a likely indicator of cardiac arrest in an unresponsive patient?
Agonal gasps
Which is the recommended first intravenous dose of amiodarone for a patient with refractory
ventricular fibrillation?
300 mg
Three minutes into a cardiac arrest resuscitation attempt, one member of your team inserts
an endotracheal (ET) tube while another performs chest compressions. Capnography shows a
persistent waveform and a PetCO2 of 8mmHg. Which is the significance of this finding?
Chest compressions may not be effective
A patient in stable narrow-complex tachycardia with a peripheral IV in place is refractory to
the first dose of adenosine. Which dose would you administer next?
12 mg
Which is an acceptable method of selecting an appropriately sized oropharyngeal airway?
Measure from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the mandible
You are evaluating a 58 year old man with chest pain. The BP is 92/50 and a heart rate of
92/min, nonlabored respiratory rate is 14 breaths per minute, and his pulse oximetry reading
is 97%. What assessment step is most important now?
Obtaining a 12-lead ECG
Which is the recommended oral dose of aspirin for a patient with a suspected acute coronary
syndrome?
, 162 to 325 mg
You instruct a team member to give 1 mg atropine IV. Which response is an example of
closed-loop communication?
"I'll draw up 1 mg of atropine."
A patient has witnessed loss of consciousness. The lead II ECG reveals this rhythm. Which is
the appropriate treatment?
Defibrillation
In addition to clinical assessment, which is the most reliable method to confirm and monitor
correct placement of an endotracheal tube?
Continuous waveform capnography
What is an effect of excessive ventilation?
Decreased cardiac output
Which best describes an action taken by the Team Leader to avoid inefficiencies during a
resuscitation attempt?
Clearly delegate tasks
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 hermorrhage. The patient does not have any
contraindications to fibrinolytic therapy. Which treatment approach is best for this patient?
Give fibrinolytic therapy as soon as possible and consider endovascular therapy
Which best describes this rhythm?
Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia
You have completed 2 minutes of CPR. The ECG monitor displays the lead II rhythm shown
here, and the patient has no pulse. Another member of your team resumes chest
compressions, and an IV is in place. Which do you do next?
To properly ventilate a patient with a perfusing rhythm, how often do you squeeze the bag?
Once every 6 seconds
Which of the following signs is a likely indicator of cardiac arrest in an unresponsive patient?
Agonal gasps
Which is the recommended first intravenous dose of amiodarone for a patient with refractory
ventricular fibrillation?
300 mg
Three minutes into a cardiac arrest resuscitation attempt, one member of your team inserts
an endotracheal (ET) tube while another performs chest compressions. Capnography shows a
persistent waveform and a PetCO2 of 8mmHg. Which is the significance of this finding?
Chest compressions may not be effective
A patient in stable narrow-complex tachycardia with a peripheral IV in place is refractory to
the first dose of adenosine. Which dose would you administer next?
12 mg
Which is an acceptable method of selecting an appropriately sized oropharyngeal airway?
Measure from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the mandible
You are evaluating a 58 year old man with chest pain. The BP is 92/50 and a heart rate of
92/min, nonlabored respiratory rate is 14 breaths per minute, and his pulse oximetry reading
is 97%. What assessment step is most important now?
Obtaining a 12-lead ECG
Which is the recommended oral dose of aspirin for a patient with a suspected acute coronary
syndrome?
, 162 to 325 mg
You instruct a team member to give 1 mg atropine IV. Which response is an example of
closed-loop communication?
"I'll draw up 1 mg of atropine."
A patient has witnessed loss of consciousness. The lead II ECG reveals this rhythm. Which is
the appropriate treatment?
Defibrillation
In addition to clinical assessment, which is the most reliable method to confirm and monitor
correct placement of an endotracheal tube?
Continuous waveform capnography
What is an effect of excessive ventilation?
Decreased cardiac output
Which best describes an action taken by the Team Leader to avoid inefficiencies during a
resuscitation attempt?
Clearly delegate tasks
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 hermorrhage. The patient does not have any
contraindications to fibrinolytic therapy. Which treatment approach is best for this patient?
Give fibrinolytic therapy as soon as possible and consider endovascular therapy
Which best describes this rhythm?
Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia
You have completed 2 minutes of CPR. The ECG monitor displays the lead II rhythm shown
here, and the patient has no pulse. Another member of your team resumes chest
compressions, and an IV is in place. Which do you do next?
