ACLS Pharmacology Questions and Answers 2025
You arrive on the scene with the code team. High-quality CPR is in progress. An AED
has previously advised "no shock indicated." A rhythm check now finds asystole.
After resuming high-quality compressions, which action do you take next?
A. call for a pulse check
B. establish IV or IO access
C. insert a laryngeal airway
D. perform endotracheal intubation - answerB. establish IV or IO access
A patient has a rapid irregular wide-complex tachycardia. The ventricular rate is
138/min. He is asymptomatic, with a blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg. He has a
history of angina. What action is recommended next?
A. giving adenosine 6 mg IV bolus
B. giving lidocaine 1 to 1.5 mg IV bolus
C. performing synchronized cardioversion
D. seeking expert consultation - answerD. seeking expert consultation
A patient is in refractory ventricular fibrillation. High-quality CPR is in progress. One
dose of epinephrine was given after the second shock. An antiarrhythmic drug was
, given immediately after the third shock. You are the team leader. Which medication
do you order next?
A. epinephrine 1 mg
B. epinephrine 3 mg
C. sodium bicarbonate 50 mEq
D. a second dose of the antiarrhythmic drug - answerA. epinephrine 1 mg
A monitored patient in the ICU developed a sudden onset of narrow-complex
tachycardia at a rate of 220/min. The patient's blood pressure is 128/58 mm Hg, the
PETCO2 is 38 mm Hg, and the pulse oximetry reading is 98%. There is vascular
access in the left arm, and the patient has not been given any vasoactive drugs. A 12-
lead ECG confirms a supraventricular tachycardia with no evidence of ischemia or
infarction. The heart rate has no responded to vagal maneuvers. What is your next
action?
A. administer adenosine 6 mg IV push
B. administer amiodarone 300 mg IV push
C. perform synchronized cardioversion at 50 J
D. perform synchronized cardioversion at 200 J - answerA. administer adenosine 6
mg IV push
You arrive on the scene with the code team. High-quality CPR is in progress. An AED
has previously advised "no shock indicated." A rhythm check now finds asystole.
After resuming high-quality compressions, which action do you take next?
A. call for a pulse check
B. establish IV or IO access
C. insert a laryngeal airway
D. perform endotracheal intubation - answerB. establish IV or IO access
A patient has a rapid irregular wide-complex tachycardia. The ventricular rate is
138/min. He is asymptomatic, with a blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg. He has a
history of angina. What action is recommended next?
A. giving adenosine 6 mg IV bolus
B. giving lidocaine 1 to 1.5 mg IV bolus
C. performing synchronized cardioversion
D. seeking expert consultation - answerD. seeking expert consultation
A patient is in refractory ventricular fibrillation. High-quality CPR is in progress. One
dose of epinephrine was given after the second shock. An antiarrhythmic drug was
, given immediately after the third shock. You are the team leader. Which medication
do you order next?
A. epinephrine 1 mg
B. epinephrine 3 mg
C. sodium bicarbonate 50 mEq
D. a second dose of the antiarrhythmic drug - answerA. epinephrine 1 mg
A monitored patient in the ICU developed a sudden onset of narrow-complex
tachycardia at a rate of 220/min. The patient's blood pressure is 128/58 mm Hg, the
PETCO2 is 38 mm Hg, and the pulse oximetry reading is 98%. There is vascular
access in the left arm, and the patient has not been given any vasoactive drugs. A 12-
lead ECG confirms a supraventricular tachycardia with no evidence of ischemia or
infarction. The heart rate has no responded to vagal maneuvers. What is your next
action?
A. administer adenosine 6 mg IV push
B. administer amiodarone 300 mg IV push
C. perform synchronized cardioversion at 50 J
D. perform synchronized cardioversion at 200 J - answerA. administer adenosine 6
mg IV push
