ACLS Test Prep (PALS, BLS, ACLS)
Questions & Answers
1.A 5-year-old child in supraventricular tachycardia has adequate pulses
with the rhythm. Supplemental oxygen is in place and vital signs are stable
except for the elevated heart rate. The most appropriate next intervention for
this child is
Answer Vagal Maneuvers
*Rationale:* Vagal maneuvers are a reasonable first intervention for
supraventricular tachycardia in a hemodynamically stable patient, as thi
child is.
2.A child has an advanced airway in place during cardiac arrest. How
frequent- ly should ventilations be given
Answer Every 6-8 Seconds
8-10 BPM
*Rationale:* The latest AHA guidelines recommend one ventilation every
six sec- onds, or 10 per minute, when an advanced airway is in place.
3.You are using a bag-valve mask to resuscitate an infant, while another
rescuer is performing chest compressions. What is the correct ratio of
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,chest compressions to ventilations
Answer 15 chest compressions to 2 ventilations
*Rationale:* The AHA suggests that during a pediatric resuscitation with
two or more rescuers present, the correct ratio of chest compressions to
ventilations is 15:2.
4.You are alone performing infant CPR. What is the correct ratio of
chest compressions to ventilations
Answer 30 chest compressions to 2 ventilations
*Rationale:* The AHA suggests that during a pediatric resuscitation with
only one rescuer present, the correct ratio of chest compressions to
ventilations is 30:2.
5.A 7 month old appears to be unconscious and not breathing. You check
for a pulse at the artery
Answer Brachial
*Rationale:* Rescuers should use the brachial artery in the upper arm to
check for a pulse. The artery is easily palpable in infants and young
children.
6.A clear sign of upper airway obstruction is
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, Answer A "whistling" sound during breath- ing
*Rationale:* A "whistling" sound during breathing usually indicates
*stridor.* Crying suggests full lung function, as does breath sounds in all
lung fields. Decreased
inspiratory effort is a non-specific sign, but may reflect a central process
(i.e. consequence of head trauma).
7.In children, which of the following is the most common form of arrest
Answer Res- piratory arrest
*Rationale:* Respiratory distress, failure, and arrest are the most
common con- ditions prompting PALS care. In fact, most cases of
pediatric cardiac arrest are preceded by respiratory issues.
8.In small children, a rescue breath should be given
Answer Over one second
*Rationale:* Rescue breaths and ventilations should be delivered over
one second, regardless of the patient's age.
9. What is the normal range of heart rates for an 8-year-old child
Answer 60-140 per minute *(The ACLS test I took says this. This is most
likely a older ACLS test. According to 2015 Handbook of Emergency
Cardiovascular Care it says for a school-age child the rate is 75-118.)*
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Questions & Answers
1.A 5-year-old child in supraventricular tachycardia has adequate pulses
with the rhythm. Supplemental oxygen is in place and vital signs are stable
except for the elevated heart rate. The most appropriate next intervention for
this child is
Answer Vagal Maneuvers
*Rationale:* Vagal maneuvers are a reasonable first intervention for
supraventricular tachycardia in a hemodynamically stable patient, as thi
child is.
2.A child has an advanced airway in place during cardiac arrest. How
frequent- ly should ventilations be given
Answer Every 6-8 Seconds
8-10 BPM
*Rationale:* The latest AHA guidelines recommend one ventilation every
six sec- onds, or 10 per minute, when an advanced airway is in place.
3.You are using a bag-valve mask to resuscitate an infant, while another
rescuer is performing chest compressions. What is the correct ratio of
1/
18
,chest compressions to ventilations
Answer 15 chest compressions to 2 ventilations
*Rationale:* The AHA suggests that during a pediatric resuscitation with
two or more rescuers present, the correct ratio of chest compressions to
ventilations is 15:2.
4.You are alone performing infant CPR. What is the correct ratio of
chest compressions to ventilations
Answer 30 chest compressions to 2 ventilations
*Rationale:* The AHA suggests that during a pediatric resuscitation with
only one rescuer present, the correct ratio of chest compressions to
ventilations is 30:2.
5.A 7 month old appears to be unconscious and not breathing. You check
for a pulse at the artery
Answer Brachial
*Rationale:* Rescuers should use the brachial artery in the upper arm to
check for a pulse. The artery is easily palpable in infants and young
children.
6.A clear sign of upper airway obstruction is
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, Answer A "whistling" sound during breath- ing
*Rationale:* A "whistling" sound during breathing usually indicates
*stridor.* Crying suggests full lung function, as does breath sounds in all
lung fields. Decreased
inspiratory effort is a non-specific sign, but may reflect a central process
(i.e. consequence of head trauma).
7.In children, which of the following is the most common form of arrest
Answer Res- piratory arrest
*Rationale:* Respiratory distress, failure, and arrest are the most
common con- ditions prompting PALS care. In fact, most cases of
pediatric cardiac arrest are preceded by respiratory issues.
8.In small children, a rescue breath should be given
Answer Over one second
*Rationale:* Rescue breaths and ventilations should be delivered over
one second, regardless of the patient's age.
9. What is the normal range of heart rates for an 8-year-old child
Answer 60-140 per minute *(The ACLS test I took says this. This is most
likely a older ACLS test. According to 2015 Handbook of Emergency
Cardiovascular Care it says for a school-age child the rate is 75-118.)*
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