ACLS Final Review Questions &
Answers
1. When a shockable rhythm is present during cardiac arrest and a
*biphasic* manual defibrillator is available, the initial energy level
selected should be
Answer Most biphasic models display the appropriate dose range clearly on the device- follow the
manufacturer recommendations.
2. A patient presents to you in the emergency department having a
rapid irregular wide-complex tachycardia. The ventricular rate is
150. He is asymptomatic with a BP of 120/80. His only history is ACS
and type 2 diabetes. Which of the following actions is recommended?
Answer Seek expert consultation
3. You have a patient in the emergency department with a return
of sponta- neous circulation. On assessment, the patient's blood
pressure is 82/40. Op- timum blood pressure for the patient
should be , achieved by using
.
Answer 90 mmHg; normal saline
4. When treating a patient with chest pain and nitroglycerin is
1/
13
, indicated, what precautions should be taken prior to its
administration?
Answer Because nitroglycerin is a vasodilator, it should be administered with the following
precautions in mind. Inferior MI and RV infarction Patients must have adequate ventricular preload.
Patients that have acute RV infarction are heavily dependent on the mainte- nance of RV filling
pressures to regulate both blood pressure and cardiac output. Vasodilators and other nitrates are
contraindicated in these instances.
5. In order to meet criteria for an ECG tracing to be called a STEMI, the
provider
must find
Answer ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) is diagnosed if there is ST segment
elevation greater than 1 mm (0.1 mV) in 2 or more contiguous precordial leads (2 mm in leads V2 and
V3) or two or more adjacent limb leads, or by new (or presumed new) left bundle branch block.
6. Use the following scenario for the next 2 questions While working a
part
of a multi-discipline team in a cardiac ICU, you have achieved
ROSC of your 60-year-old cardiac arrest patient.
Answer Ensure adequate airway and breathing care,
7. Which of the following is possible reversible causes of a PEA
rhythm?
Answer try to identify and treat reversible causes (H's and T's).
2/
13
Answers
1. When a shockable rhythm is present during cardiac arrest and a
*biphasic* manual defibrillator is available, the initial energy level
selected should be
Answer Most biphasic models display the appropriate dose range clearly on the device- follow the
manufacturer recommendations.
2. A patient presents to you in the emergency department having a
rapid irregular wide-complex tachycardia. The ventricular rate is
150. He is asymptomatic with a BP of 120/80. His only history is ACS
and type 2 diabetes. Which of the following actions is recommended?
Answer Seek expert consultation
3. You have a patient in the emergency department with a return
of sponta- neous circulation. On assessment, the patient's blood
pressure is 82/40. Op- timum blood pressure for the patient
should be , achieved by using
.
Answer 90 mmHg; normal saline
4. When treating a patient with chest pain and nitroglycerin is
1/
13
, indicated, what precautions should be taken prior to its
administration?
Answer Because nitroglycerin is a vasodilator, it should be administered with the following
precautions in mind. Inferior MI and RV infarction Patients must have adequate ventricular preload.
Patients that have acute RV infarction are heavily dependent on the mainte- nance of RV filling
pressures to regulate both blood pressure and cardiac output. Vasodilators and other nitrates are
contraindicated in these instances.
5. In order to meet criteria for an ECG tracing to be called a STEMI, the
provider
must find
Answer ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) is diagnosed if there is ST segment
elevation greater than 1 mm (0.1 mV) in 2 or more contiguous precordial leads (2 mm in leads V2 and
V3) or two or more adjacent limb leads, or by new (or presumed new) left bundle branch block.
6. Use the following scenario for the next 2 questions While working a
part
of a multi-discipline team in a cardiac ICU, you have achieved
ROSC of your 60-year-old cardiac arrest patient.
Answer Ensure adequate airway and breathing care,
7. Which of the following is possible reversible causes of a PEA
rhythm?
Answer try to identify and treat reversible causes (H's and T's).
2/
13
