ACLS Pretest Answers - 2026 Mock Exam
Review & Guide | 35 Questions | A+
Graded Answers | Verified Explanations |
Latest Update 2026/27
Question one.
A patient in cardiac arrest presents with pulseless ventricular tacoc cardia. After initial
defibrillation attempts, the rhythm persists. Which medication is the most appropriate firstline
antiarithmic to administer?
A Aropene,
B. Adenosine,
C. Amodoron,
D. Deltaazm
answer C. Amiodoron.
This question tests your knowledge of the firstline anti-arithmic drug for persistent pulseless
ventricular tacocardia VT or ventricular fibrillation VF in cardiac arrest. A critical concept in
ACLS. After initial defibrillation attempts fail, amiodoron is the recommended medication to help
suppress the life-threatening arhythmia. Administering amiodaron can help stabilize the
electrical activity of the heart and improve the chances of achieving a profusing rhythm. For
example, if a patient continues in VF after several shocks, a miodon is given along with ongoing
CPR and defibrillation attempts to try and convert the rhythm. Remember a mioderon is key for
shock refractory VT/VF.
Question two.
A 55year-old patient presents with symptomatic brady cardia characterized by a heart rate of 35
bpm hypotension and altered mental status. After ensuring airway and breathing, which
medication should be administered first?
A. Adenosine
B. Epinephrine,
C. Atropene,
D. Lidocaine.
Answer C. Atropine.
This question focuses on the initial pharmacologic management of symptomatic bradic cardia. A
common scenario in ACLS. The key clues are symptomatic brady cardia and first medication.
Atropene is the firstline medication recommended by AHA guidelines for symptomatic bradic
cardia because it blocks the parasympathetic nervous system increasing heart rate. For
instance, if a patient has a heart rate of 40 BPM and is dizzy with low blood pressure, atropene
is given intravenously to try and speed up their heart. Always remember that atropene is your
go-to initial drug for a slow symptomatic heart.
, Question three.
What is the initial recommended dose of adenosine for stable narrow complex super ventricular
tacocardia SVT unresponsive to veagal maneuvers?
A 1 mg for push.
B 3 mg for push.
C 6 mg for push.
D 12 mg for push.
Answer C. 6 mg for push.
This question assesses your knowledge of adenosine dosage for stable narrow complex super
ventricular tacocardia SVT a high yield topic in ACLS. The important keywords are initial
recommended dose and stable narrow complex SVT. Adenosine is given rapidly as an
intravenous for push to temporarily block electrical conduction through the AV node which often
terminates SVT. For example, if a patient's EKG shows a very fast regular narrow complex
rhythm, 6 mg of adenosine is given quickly followed by a flush to try and reset the heart's
rhythm. Always remember 6 mg is your starting point for adenosine in SVT.
Question four.
A patient experiencing chest pain consistent with acute coronary syndrome ACS is
unresponsive to nitrates and morphine. Their systolic blood pressure is 80 mm of mercury.
Which medication is contraindicated in this patient?
A aspirin
B. Oxygen,
C. Nitroglycerin,
D. Morphine.
Answer: C. Nitroglycerin.
This question tests your understanding of contraindications for nitroglycerin in acute coronary
syndrome, ACS. Specifically regarding blood pressure. The crucial clue is the systolic blood
pressure of 80 mm of mercury which indicates hypotension. Nitroglycerin is a potent vasodilator
and can dangerously lower blood pressure further making it contraindicated in hypotensive
patients to prevent worsening shock. For instance, while nitroglycerin helps with chest pain,
giving it to someone already very hypotensive could cause them to lose consciousness or have
a cardiac arrest. Always remember never give nitroglycerin if the patients blood pressure is too
low generally below 90 to 100 mm of mercury systolic.
Question five.
What is the primary indication for administering epinephrine during adult cardiac arrest?
A to treat symptomatic brady cardia.
B to convert super ventricular tacicardia SVT.
C to improve coronary and cerebral profusion pressures.
D to reverse the effects of opioid overdose.
Review & Guide | 35 Questions | A+
Graded Answers | Verified Explanations |
Latest Update 2026/27
Question one.
A patient in cardiac arrest presents with pulseless ventricular tacoc cardia. After initial
defibrillation attempts, the rhythm persists. Which medication is the most appropriate firstline
antiarithmic to administer?
A Aropene,
B. Adenosine,
C. Amodoron,
D. Deltaazm
answer C. Amiodoron.
This question tests your knowledge of the firstline anti-arithmic drug for persistent pulseless
ventricular tacocardia VT or ventricular fibrillation VF in cardiac arrest. A critical concept in
ACLS. After initial defibrillation attempts fail, amiodoron is the recommended medication to help
suppress the life-threatening arhythmia. Administering amiodaron can help stabilize the
electrical activity of the heart and improve the chances of achieving a profusing rhythm. For
example, if a patient continues in VF after several shocks, a miodon is given along with ongoing
CPR and defibrillation attempts to try and convert the rhythm. Remember a mioderon is key for
shock refractory VT/VF.
Question two.
A 55year-old patient presents with symptomatic brady cardia characterized by a heart rate of 35
bpm hypotension and altered mental status. After ensuring airway and breathing, which
medication should be administered first?
A. Adenosine
B. Epinephrine,
C. Atropene,
D. Lidocaine.
Answer C. Atropine.
This question focuses on the initial pharmacologic management of symptomatic bradic cardia. A
common scenario in ACLS. The key clues are symptomatic brady cardia and first medication.
Atropene is the firstline medication recommended by AHA guidelines for symptomatic bradic
cardia because it blocks the parasympathetic nervous system increasing heart rate. For
instance, if a patient has a heart rate of 40 BPM and is dizzy with low blood pressure, atropene
is given intravenously to try and speed up their heart. Always remember that atropene is your
go-to initial drug for a slow symptomatic heart.
, Question three.
What is the initial recommended dose of adenosine for stable narrow complex super ventricular
tacocardia SVT unresponsive to veagal maneuvers?
A 1 mg for push.
B 3 mg for push.
C 6 mg for push.
D 12 mg for push.
Answer C. 6 mg for push.
This question assesses your knowledge of adenosine dosage for stable narrow complex super
ventricular tacocardia SVT a high yield topic in ACLS. The important keywords are initial
recommended dose and stable narrow complex SVT. Adenosine is given rapidly as an
intravenous for push to temporarily block electrical conduction through the AV node which often
terminates SVT. For example, if a patient's EKG shows a very fast regular narrow complex
rhythm, 6 mg of adenosine is given quickly followed by a flush to try and reset the heart's
rhythm. Always remember 6 mg is your starting point for adenosine in SVT.
Question four.
A patient experiencing chest pain consistent with acute coronary syndrome ACS is
unresponsive to nitrates and morphine. Their systolic blood pressure is 80 mm of mercury.
Which medication is contraindicated in this patient?
A aspirin
B. Oxygen,
C. Nitroglycerin,
D. Morphine.
Answer: C. Nitroglycerin.
This question tests your understanding of contraindications for nitroglycerin in acute coronary
syndrome, ACS. Specifically regarding blood pressure. The crucial clue is the systolic blood
pressure of 80 mm of mercury which indicates hypotension. Nitroglycerin is a potent vasodilator
and can dangerously lower blood pressure further making it contraindicated in hypotensive
patients to prevent worsening shock. For instance, while nitroglycerin helps with chest pain,
giving it to someone already very hypotensive could cause them to lose consciousness or have
a cardiac arrest. Always remember never give nitroglycerin if the patients blood pressure is too
low generally below 90 to 100 mm of mercury systolic.
Question five.
What is the primary indication for administering epinephrine during adult cardiac arrest?
A to treat symptomatic brady cardia.
B to convert super ventricular tacicardia SVT.
C to improve coronary and cerebral profusion pressures.
D to reverse the effects of opioid overdose.
