ACLS Final Comprehensive
What is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in children? - correct answer respiratory
failure or shock
What is cardiac arrest? - correct answer occurs when the heart develops an abnormal rhythm
and stops beating or beats too ineffectively to circulate blood to the brain and other vital
organs
What is heart attack? - correct answer A blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle.
List the eight components of high quality CPR. - correct answer 1. Start compressions within 10
seconds of recognition of cardiac arrest.
2. Compress at a rate of 100-120/min with a depth of at least 2 inches in adults/children and 1
1/2 inches in infants.
3. Allow complete chest recoil after each compression.
4. Minimize interruptions in compressions (limit to <10 seconds).
5. Give effective breaths that make the chest visibly rise.
6. Switch compressors about every 2 minutes or earlier if fatigued.
7. Continue delivering chest compressions while the AED is charging.
8. Avoid prolonged rhythm analysis, frequent or inappropriate pulse checks, taking too long to
give breaths to the patient, excessive ventilation, or unnecessarily moving the patient.
What is the recommended compression depth for adults and children? - correct answer 2
inches
What is the recommended compression depth for infants? - correct answer 1 1/2 inches
What can result if a patient is ventilated too quickly? - correct answer hyperventilation ->
excessive intrathoracic pressure and gastric inflation -> decreased venous return -> decreased
coronary and cerebral perfusion pressures -> diminished cardiac output -> decreased rates of
survival
What memory aid may be used when evaluating a patient's level of consciousness? - correct
answer AVPU
Alert, responds to Verbal stimuli, responds to Painful stimuli, Unresponsive
Upon finding an unresponsive adult patient, you verified that the scene is safe, called for help
and asked that someone get an AED or defibrillator. Your next action should be to: - correct
,ACLS Final Comprehensive
answer simultaneously look for breathing and feel for a carotid pulse for no more than 10
seconds
Upon finding an unresponsive child, you verified that the scene is safe, called for help and asked
that someone get an AED or defibrillator. Your next action should be to: - correct answer
simultaneously look for breathing and feel for a carotid or femoral pulse for no more than 10
seconds
Upon finding an unresponsive infant, you verified that the scene is safe, called for help and
asked that someone get an AED or defibrillator. Your next action should be to: - correct answer
simultaneously look for breathing and feel for a brachial pulse for no more than 10 seconds
Upon finding an unresponsive adult patient, you verified that the scene is safe, called for help
and asked that someone get an AED or defibrillator. You check for breathing and a carotid pulse
simultaneously. The patient has no pulse and is not breathing normally. Your next action should
be to: - correct answer begin chest compressions; remove clothing; use AED as soon as it
arrives
Upon finding an unresponsive adult patient, you verified that the scene is safe, called for help
and asked that someone get an AED or defibrillator. You check for breathing and a carotid pulse
simultaneously. The patient is breathing normally and a pulse is present. Your next action
should be to: - correct answer continue to monitor until additional help arrives.
Upon finding an unresponsive infant or child, you verified that the scene is safe, called for help
and asked that someone get an AED or defibrillator. You check for breathing and a carotid pulse
simultaneously. The patient has no pulse and is not breathing normally. The arrest was not
sudden and not witnessed. Your next action should be to: - correct answer begin chest
compressions 30:2 (1 rescuer), 15:2 (2 rescuer); if 2 rescuers are present, one rescuer begins
CPR and the other activates the ERS; use the AED as soon as it arrives; after about 2 min of CPR,
if you are still alone, activate the ERS and get the AED if not already done
Upon finding an unresponsive infant or child, you verified that the scene is safe, called for help
and asked that someone get an AED or defibrillator. You check for breathing and a carotid pulse
simultaneously. The patient has no pulse and is not breathing normally. The arrest was sudden
and witnessed. Your next action should be to: - correct answer activate the emergency
response system and retrieve the AED; begin chest compressions 30:2 (1 rescuer), 15:2 (2
rescuer)
Upon finding an unresponsive infant or child, you verified that the scene is safe, called for help
and asked that someone get an AED or defibrillator. You check for breathing and a carotid pulse
simultaneously. The patient is breathing normally and a pulse is present. Your next action
,ACLS Final Comprehensive
should be to: - correct answer activate ERS, return to victim and monitor until emergency
responders arrive
Upon finding an unresponsive adult patient, you verified that the scene is safe, called for help
and asked that someone get an AED or defibrillator. You check for breathing and a carotid pulse
simultaneously. The patient is not breathing normally but a pulse is present. Your next action
should be to: - correct answer provide rescue breathing (one breath every 5-6 seconds) and
recheck for a pulse every 2 minutes; be ready to perform high quality CPR if you do not feel a
pulse; if opioid use is suspected, consider administering naloxone
Upon finding an unresponsive infant or child, you verified that the scene is safe, called for help
and asked that someone get an AED or defibrillator. You check for breathing and a carotid pulse
simultaneously. The patient is not breathing normally but a pulse is present. Your next action
should be to: - correct answer provide rescue breathing (one every 3-5 seconds); add
compressions if pulse remains <60/min with signs of poor perfusion; activate ERS after 2 min;
continue rescue breathing and check pulse about every 2 min (if no pulse begin CPR)
What is the purpose of the primary survey? - correct answer to detect the presence of life-
threatening problems that require rapid interventions
What two cardiac arrest rhythms are shockable? - correct answer VF and pVT
What two cardiac arrest rhythms are not shockable? - correct answer asystole and PEA
During the primary survey, for what length of time should you assess for the presence of a
pulse? - correct answer at least 5 seconds but no more than 10 seconds
What is the importance of measuring coronary perfusion pressure during CPR? - correct
answer represents myocardial blood flow during chest compressions and is a key determinant
of the success of resuscitation
What is an adequate coronary perfusion pressure (CPP)? - correct answer 15 mm Hg
What is the importance of measuring waveform capnography (PETCO2) during CPR? - correct
answer allows for evaluation of CPR quality, optimize chest compressions, detection of ROSC
during chest compressions or when a rhythm check reveals an organized rhythm, ET tube
placement
What is an adequate waveform capnogrpahy (PETCO2) range? - correct answer 10-20 mm Hg
When ROSC occurs, what happens to waveform capnography? - correct answer There will be a
significant increase in the ETCO2. (35-45 mmHg) This increase represents a drastic
improvement in blood flow (more CO2 being dumped in the lungs by the circulation) which
indicates circulation.
, ACLS Final Comprehensive
What is chest compression fraction? - correct answer the proportion of time that chest
compressions are performed during a cardiac arrest
What is the target goal of chest compression fraction during CPR? - correct answer 60-80%
What is the appropriate tidal volume for adult cardiac arrest patients? - correct answer 500-
600 mL (half a squeeze of an adult ventilation bag; enough to see visible chest rise)
Single rescuers should use the compression-to-ventilation ratio of ____ compressions to ____
breaths when giving CPR to victims of any age. - correct answer 30:2
At what rate should compressions occur? - correct answer 100-120/min
Interruptions in chest compressions should be limited to how many seconds? - correct answer
<10
Rescuers should switch compressors how often? - correct answer every 5 cycles (2 min) or
sooner if fatigued
What method should be utilized when opening the airway of a patient who is suspected of
having a head or neck injury? - correct answer jaw thrust
When communicating with a team member, the team leader communicates by taking these
steps:
1. The team leader gives a message, order, or assignment to a team member.
2. By receiving a clear response and eye contact, the team leader confirms that the team
member heard and understood the message.
3. The team leader listens for confirmation of task performance from the team member before
assigning another task.
What type of communication do these steps represent? - correct answer closed-loop
communication
Which pulse is palpated when performing a BLS assessment on an adult? - correct answer
carotid
What is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in children? - correct answer respiratory
failure or shock
What is cardiac arrest? - correct answer occurs when the heart develops an abnormal rhythm
and stops beating or beats too ineffectively to circulate blood to the brain and other vital
organs
What is heart attack? - correct answer A blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle.
List the eight components of high quality CPR. - correct answer 1. Start compressions within 10
seconds of recognition of cardiac arrest.
2. Compress at a rate of 100-120/min with a depth of at least 2 inches in adults/children and 1
1/2 inches in infants.
3. Allow complete chest recoil after each compression.
4. Minimize interruptions in compressions (limit to <10 seconds).
5. Give effective breaths that make the chest visibly rise.
6. Switch compressors about every 2 minutes or earlier if fatigued.
7. Continue delivering chest compressions while the AED is charging.
8. Avoid prolonged rhythm analysis, frequent or inappropriate pulse checks, taking too long to
give breaths to the patient, excessive ventilation, or unnecessarily moving the patient.
What is the recommended compression depth for adults and children? - correct answer 2
inches
What is the recommended compression depth for infants? - correct answer 1 1/2 inches
What can result if a patient is ventilated too quickly? - correct answer hyperventilation ->
excessive intrathoracic pressure and gastric inflation -> decreased venous return -> decreased
coronary and cerebral perfusion pressures -> diminished cardiac output -> decreased rates of
survival
What memory aid may be used when evaluating a patient's level of consciousness? - correct
answer AVPU
Alert, responds to Verbal stimuli, responds to Painful stimuli, Unresponsive
Upon finding an unresponsive adult patient, you verified that the scene is safe, called for help
and asked that someone get an AED or defibrillator. Your next action should be to: - correct
,ACLS Final Comprehensive
answer simultaneously look for breathing and feel for a carotid pulse for no more than 10
seconds
Upon finding an unresponsive child, you verified that the scene is safe, called for help and asked
that someone get an AED or defibrillator. Your next action should be to: - correct answer
simultaneously look for breathing and feel for a carotid or femoral pulse for no more than 10
seconds
Upon finding an unresponsive infant, you verified that the scene is safe, called for help and
asked that someone get an AED or defibrillator. Your next action should be to: - correct answer
simultaneously look for breathing and feel for a brachial pulse for no more than 10 seconds
Upon finding an unresponsive adult patient, you verified that the scene is safe, called for help
and asked that someone get an AED or defibrillator. You check for breathing and a carotid pulse
simultaneously. The patient has no pulse and is not breathing normally. Your next action should
be to: - correct answer begin chest compressions; remove clothing; use AED as soon as it
arrives
Upon finding an unresponsive adult patient, you verified that the scene is safe, called for help
and asked that someone get an AED or defibrillator. You check for breathing and a carotid pulse
simultaneously. The patient is breathing normally and a pulse is present. Your next action
should be to: - correct answer continue to monitor until additional help arrives.
Upon finding an unresponsive infant or child, you verified that the scene is safe, called for help
and asked that someone get an AED or defibrillator. You check for breathing and a carotid pulse
simultaneously. The patient has no pulse and is not breathing normally. The arrest was not
sudden and not witnessed. Your next action should be to: - correct answer begin chest
compressions 30:2 (1 rescuer), 15:2 (2 rescuer); if 2 rescuers are present, one rescuer begins
CPR and the other activates the ERS; use the AED as soon as it arrives; after about 2 min of CPR,
if you are still alone, activate the ERS and get the AED if not already done
Upon finding an unresponsive infant or child, you verified that the scene is safe, called for help
and asked that someone get an AED or defibrillator. You check for breathing and a carotid pulse
simultaneously. The patient has no pulse and is not breathing normally. The arrest was sudden
and witnessed. Your next action should be to: - correct answer activate the emergency
response system and retrieve the AED; begin chest compressions 30:2 (1 rescuer), 15:2 (2
rescuer)
Upon finding an unresponsive infant or child, you verified that the scene is safe, called for help
and asked that someone get an AED or defibrillator. You check for breathing and a carotid pulse
simultaneously. The patient is breathing normally and a pulse is present. Your next action
,ACLS Final Comprehensive
should be to: - correct answer activate ERS, return to victim and monitor until emergency
responders arrive
Upon finding an unresponsive adult patient, you verified that the scene is safe, called for help
and asked that someone get an AED or defibrillator. You check for breathing and a carotid pulse
simultaneously. The patient is not breathing normally but a pulse is present. Your next action
should be to: - correct answer provide rescue breathing (one breath every 5-6 seconds) and
recheck for a pulse every 2 minutes; be ready to perform high quality CPR if you do not feel a
pulse; if opioid use is suspected, consider administering naloxone
Upon finding an unresponsive infant or child, you verified that the scene is safe, called for help
and asked that someone get an AED or defibrillator. You check for breathing and a carotid pulse
simultaneously. The patient is not breathing normally but a pulse is present. Your next action
should be to: - correct answer provide rescue breathing (one every 3-5 seconds); add
compressions if pulse remains <60/min with signs of poor perfusion; activate ERS after 2 min;
continue rescue breathing and check pulse about every 2 min (if no pulse begin CPR)
What is the purpose of the primary survey? - correct answer to detect the presence of life-
threatening problems that require rapid interventions
What two cardiac arrest rhythms are shockable? - correct answer VF and pVT
What two cardiac arrest rhythms are not shockable? - correct answer asystole and PEA
During the primary survey, for what length of time should you assess for the presence of a
pulse? - correct answer at least 5 seconds but no more than 10 seconds
What is the importance of measuring coronary perfusion pressure during CPR? - correct
answer represents myocardial blood flow during chest compressions and is a key determinant
of the success of resuscitation
What is an adequate coronary perfusion pressure (CPP)? - correct answer 15 mm Hg
What is the importance of measuring waveform capnography (PETCO2) during CPR? - correct
answer allows for evaluation of CPR quality, optimize chest compressions, detection of ROSC
during chest compressions or when a rhythm check reveals an organized rhythm, ET tube
placement
What is an adequate waveform capnogrpahy (PETCO2) range? - correct answer 10-20 mm Hg
When ROSC occurs, what happens to waveform capnography? - correct answer There will be a
significant increase in the ETCO2. (35-45 mmHg) This increase represents a drastic
improvement in blood flow (more CO2 being dumped in the lungs by the circulation) which
indicates circulation.
, ACLS Final Comprehensive
What is chest compression fraction? - correct answer the proportion of time that chest
compressions are performed during a cardiac arrest
What is the target goal of chest compression fraction during CPR? - correct answer 60-80%
What is the appropriate tidal volume for adult cardiac arrest patients? - correct answer 500-
600 mL (half a squeeze of an adult ventilation bag; enough to see visible chest rise)
Single rescuers should use the compression-to-ventilation ratio of ____ compressions to ____
breaths when giving CPR to victims of any age. - correct answer 30:2
At what rate should compressions occur? - correct answer 100-120/min
Interruptions in chest compressions should be limited to how many seconds? - correct answer
<10
Rescuers should switch compressors how often? - correct answer every 5 cycles (2 min) or
sooner if fatigued
What method should be utilized when opening the airway of a patient who is suspected of
having a head or neck injury? - correct answer jaw thrust
When communicating with a team member, the team leader communicates by taking these
steps:
1. The team leader gives a message, order, or assignment to a team member.
2. By receiving a clear response and eye contact, the team leader confirms that the team
member heard and understood the message.
3. The team leader listens for confirmation of task performance from the team member before
assigning another task.
What type of communication do these steps represent? - correct answer closed-loop
communication
Which pulse is palpated when performing a BLS assessment on an adult? - correct answer
carotid
