AHA ACLS Actual Exam Questions and Answers
Which situation BEST describes PEA? - ANS Sinus rythm without a pulse
What is the best strategy for perfoming high-quality CPR on a pt.with an advanced airway in
place? - ANS Provide continuous chest compressionswithout pauses and 10 ventilations per
minute.
3 min after witnessing a cardiac arrest, one memeber of your team inserts an ET tube while
another performs continuous chest comressions. During subsequent bentilation, you notice the
presence of a wavefom on the capnogrophy screen and a PETCO2 of 8 mm Hg. What is the
significance of this finding? - ANS Chest compressions may not be effective.
The use of quantitative capnography in intubated pt's does what? - ANS Allowsfor monitoring
CPR quality
For the past 25 min, EMS crews have attempted resuscitation of a pt who originally presented
with V-FIB. After the 1st shock, the ECG screen displayed asystole which has persisted despite 2
doses of epi, a fluid bolus, and high quality CPR. What is your next treatment? - ANS Consider
terminating resuscitive efforts after consulting medical control.
Which is a safe and effective practice within the defibrillation sequence? - ANS Be sure O2 is
NOT blowing over the pt's chest during shock.
During your assessment, your pt suddenly loses consciousness. After calling for help and
determining that the pt. is not breathing, you are unsure whether the pt. has a pulse. What is
your next action? - ANS Begin chest compressions.
What is an advantage of using hands-free d-fib pads instead of d-fib paddles? - ANS Hands-free
allows for more rapid d-fib.
, What action is recommended to help minimize interruptions in chest compressions during CPR?
- ANS Continue CPR while charging the defibrillator.
Foundational Facts: Resume CPR While Manual Defibrillator is Charging
Which action is included in the BLS survey? - ANS Early defibrillation
Which drug and dose are recommended for the management of a pt. in refractory V-FIB? - ANS
Amiodarone 300mg
What is the appropriate intervalfor an interruption in chest compressions? - ANS 10 seconds or
less
Which of the following is a sign of effective CPR? - ANS PETCO2 = or > 10mm Hg
What is the purpose of a medical emergency team (MET) or rapid response team? - ANS
Improving patient outcomes by identifying and treating early clinical deterioration.
Foundational Facts: Medical Emergency Teams (METs) and Rapid Response Teams (RRTs)
Which action improves the quality of chest compressions delivered during resuscitave
attemepts? - ANS Shitch providers about every 2 min or every 5 compression cycles.
What is the appropriate ventilation strategy for an adult in respiratory arrest with a pulse of 80
beats/min? - ANS 1 breath every 5-6 seconds
A pt. presents to the ER with a new onset of dizziness and fatugue. Onexamination, the pt's
heart rate is 35 beats/min, BP is 70/50, resp. rate is 22 per min, O2 sat is 95%. What is the
appropriate 1st medication? - ANS Atropine 0.5mg
Which situation BEST describes PEA? - ANS Sinus rythm without a pulse
What is the best strategy for perfoming high-quality CPR on a pt.with an advanced airway in
place? - ANS Provide continuous chest compressionswithout pauses and 10 ventilations per
minute.
3 min after witnessing a cardiac arrest, one memeber of your team inserts an ET tube while
another performs continuous chest comressions. During subsequent bentilation, you notice the
presence of a wavefom on the capnogrophy screen and a PETCO2 of 8 mm Hg. What is the
significance of this finding? - ANS Chest compressions may not be effective.
The use of quantitative capnography in intubated pt's does what? - ANS Allowsfor monitoring
CPR quality
For the past 25 min, EMS crews have attempted resuscitation of a pt who originally presented
with V-FIB. After the 1st shock, the ECG screen displayed asystole which has persisted despite 2
doses of epi, a fluid bolus, and high quality CPR. What is your next treatment? - ANS Consider
terminating resuscitive efforts after consulting medical control.
Which is a safe and effective practice within the defibrillation sequence? - ANS Be sure O2 is
NOT blowing over the pt's chest during shock.
During your assessment, your pt suddenly loses consciousness. After calling for help and
determining that the pt. is not breathing, you are unsure whether the pt. has a pulse. What is
your next action? - ANS Begin chest compressions.
What is an advantage of using hands-free d-fib pads instead of d-fib paddles? - ANS Hands-free
allows for more rapid d-fib.
, What action is recommended to help minimize interruptions in chest compressions during CPR?
- ANS Continue CPR while charging the defibrillator.
Foundational Facts: Resume CPR While Manual Defibrillator is Charging
Which action is included in the BLS survey? - ANS Early defibrillation
Which drug and dose are recommended for the management of a pt. in refractory V-FIB? - ANS
Amiodarone 300mg
What is the appropriate intervalfor an interruption in chest compressions? - ANS 10 seconds or
less
Which of the following is a sign of effective CPR? - ANS PETCO2 = or > 10mm Hg
What is the purpose of a medical emergency team (MET) or rapid response team? - ANS
Improving patient outcomes by identifying and treating early clinical deterioration.
Foundational Facts: Medical Emergency Teams (METs) and Rapid Response Teams (RRTs)
Which action improves the quality of chest compressions delivered during resuscitave
attemepts? - ANS Shitch providers about every 2 min or every 5 compression cycles.
What is the appropriate ventilation strategy for an adult in respiratory arrest with a pulse of 80
beats/min? - ANS 1 breath every 5-6 seconds
A pt. presents to the ER with a new onset of dizziness and fatugue. Onexamination, the pt's
heart rate is 35 beats/min, BP is 70/50, resp. rate is 22 per min, O2 sat is 95%. What is the
appropriate 1st medication? - ANS Atropine 0.5mg
