ACLS FINAL EXAM
1. After cardiac arrest and successful resuscitation, the patient has a returnof spontaneous
circulation. The patient is unable to follow verbal commands.Targeted temperature
management is initiated. Which method(s) would be appropriate for the resuscitation team to
use?
Giving an ice-cold IV fluid bolus
Applying cooling blankets to the patient's body
Administering cool-mist oxygen therapy
Applying a cool compress to the patient's forehead
Using an endovascular catheter
Answer:
Giving an ice-cold IV fluid bolus
Applying cooling blankets to the patient's body
Using an endovascular catheter
2. A patient has experienced return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) aftercardiac arrest.
The healthcare team is conducting a secondary assessment to determine the possible cause of
the patient's cardiac arrest. The history reveals that before the arrest, the patient exhibited
jugular venous distension,cyanosis, apnea and hyperresonance on percussion. The patient was
also difficult to ventilate during the response. The team would most likely suspectwhich
condition as the cause?
Select the correct answer to this question.
Tension pneumothorax
Cardiac tamponade
Acidosis
Hypothermia
Answer: Tension pneumothorax
Prearrest signs of tension pneumothorax in the advanced stage include jugular venous
distension, cyanosis, apnea and hyperresonance on percussion. Difficultyventilating the patient
may also be a sign of tension pneumothorax.
3. A 40-year-old patient in the waiting room of the primary care provider's office approaches
a staff member and says, "I'm having really severe, crushingchest pain that is moving to both my
arms." The patient is diaphoretic and dyspneic. Which action would be appropriate for the staff
member to take?
Activate the emergency medical services system.
Take the patient to an exam room immediately.
, Give the patient an aspirin.
Obtain a 12-lead ECG.
Answer: Activate the emergency medical services system.
4. A patient with dyspnea and a change in mental status arrives at the emergency
department. The healthcare team completes the necessary assessments and begins to care for
the patient, including initiating cardiac monitoring and pulse oximetry; providing supplemental
oxygen and ensuringadequate ventilation; and obtaining vascular access. The team reviews the
patient's ECG rhythm strip, as shown in the following figure. Which agent would the team
most likely administer?
Amiodarone 150 mg over 10 minutes
Atropine 0.5 mg every 3 to 5 minutes
Dopamine 5 to 10 mcg/min
Epinephrine 2 to 10 mcg/min
Answer: Atropine 0.5 mg every 3 to 5 minutes
5. A patient is brought to the emergency department by their spouse. The spouse says, "I
think it's a stroke." The stroke team assesses the patient usingthe National Institutes of Health
Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Which area(s) would theteam include in this assessment?
Select all correct options that apply.
Facial palsy
Level of consciousness
Language deficits
Visual function
Cranial nerve function
Answer:
Level of consciousness
Language deficits
Visual function
6. A patient is brought into the emergency department with a suspected opioid overdose.
The patient is in cardiac arrest. Which action would be theteam's priority?
Select the correct answer to this question.
Giving naloxone intravenously (IV)
Obtaining a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG)
Administering supplemental oxygen
Initiating high-quality CPR
Answer: Initiating high-quality CPR
Although no evidence supports any benefit to naloxone administration during cardiac arrest,
1. After cardiac arrest and successful resuscitation, the patient has a returnof spontaneous
circulation. The patient is unable to follow verbal commands.Targeted temperature
management is initiated. Which method(s) would be appropriate for the resuscitation team to
use?
Giving an ice-cold IV fluid bolus
Applying cooling blankets to the patient's body
Administering cool-mist oxygen therapy
Applying a cool compress to the patient's forehead
Using an endovascular catheter
Answer:
Giving an ice-cold IV fluid bolus
Applying cooling blankets to the patient's body
Using an endovascular catheter
2. A patient has experienced return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) aftercardiac arrest.
The healthcare team is conducting a secondary assessment to determine the possible cause of
the patient's cardiac arrest. The history reveals that before the arrest, the patient exhibited
jugular venous distension,cyanosis, apnea and hyperresonance on percussion. The patient was
also difficult to ventilate during the response. The team would most likely suspectwhich
condition as the cause?
Select the correct answer to this question.
Tension pneumothorax
Cardiac tamponade
Acidosis
Hypothermia
Answer: Tension pneumothorax
Prearrest signs of tension pneumothorax in the advanced stage include jugular venous
distension, cyanosis, apnea and hyperresonance on percussion. Difficultyventilating the patient
may also be a sign of tension pneumothorax.
3. A 40-year-old patient in the waiting room of the primary care provider's office approaches
a staff member and says, "I'm having really severe, crushingchest pain that is moving to both my
arms." The patient is diaphoretic and dyspneic. Which action would be appropriate for the staff
member to take?
Activate the emergency medical services system.
Take the patient to an exam room immediately.
, Give the patient an aspirin.
Obtain a 12-lead ECG.
Answer: Activate the emergency medical services system.
4. A patient with dyspnea and a change in mental status arrives at the emergency
department. The healthcare team completes the necessary assessments and begins to care for
the patient, including initiating cardiac monitoring and pulse oximetry; providing supplemental
oxygen and ensuringadequate ventilation; and obtaining vascular access. The team reviews the
patient's ECG rhythm strip, as shown in the following figure. Which agent would the team
most likely administer?
Amiodarone 150 mg over 10 minutes
Atropine 0.5 mg every 3 to 5 minutes
Dopamine 5 to 10 mcg/min
Epinephrine 2 to 10 mcg/min
Answer: Atropine 0.5 mg every 3 to 5 minutes
5. A patient is brought to the emergency department by their spouse. The spouse says, "I
think it's a stroke." The stroke team assesses the patient usingthe National Institutes of Health
Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Which area(s) would theteam include in this assessment?
Select all correct options that apply.
Facial palsy
Level of consciousness
Language deficits
Visual function
Cranial nerve function
Answer:
Level of consciousness
Language deficits
Visual function
6. A patient is brought into the emergency department with a suspected opioid overdose.
The patient is in cardiac arrest. Which action would be theteam's priority?
Select the correct answer to this question.
Giving naloxone intravenously (IV)
Obtaining a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG)
Administering supplemental oxygen
Initiating high-quality CPR
Answer: Initiating high-quality CPR
Although no evidence supports any benefit to naloxone administration during cardiac arrest,
