ECC STUDY GUIDE EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Which rhythms can be defibrillated? - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅V fib and pulseless V tach
How do you deactivate AED mode on the Lifepak 20E? - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Open the door on the
Lifepak or press the "LEAD"
button
Clinical criteria for symptomatic bradycardia or tachycardia - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Hypotension,
acutely altered mental status, signs of shock, ischemic chest discomfort, acute heart failure
Intervention for asymptomatic bradycardic patient - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Monitor and observe
Interventions for symptomatic (unstable) bradycardia - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Atropine, then
transcutaneous pacing and/or Dopamine/Epinephrine infusion
Failure to capture - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Pacer spike without a corresponding QRS complex. Increase
mA/current/energy
Intervention for symptomatic (unstable) tachycardia - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Synchronized
cardioversion
Interventions for asymptomatic (stable) tachycardia (Narrow QRS) - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Beta
blockers or Calcium channel blockers. Vagal Maneuvers or adenosine IF REGULAR
Interventions for asymptomatic (stable) tachycardia (Wide QRS) - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Adenosine if
regular or antiarrhythmics
What is the preferred method for administering a bolus when ordered to be given in less than 60
minutes? - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Pressure bag
,What are the nursing responsibilities of caring for an arterial line? - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Monitor
perfusio, temperature, color, capillary refill, pulse, pain, paresthesia, motor function; Assess site; Zero
and perform dynamic response test at least once a shift and as needed; Check system to ensure alarms
on, bag is inflated and system is functioning
The pressure bag on an arterial line must be inflated to what value? - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅300 mm
Hg, keep within the green range.
Phlebostatic Axis - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Located at the 4th intercostal space, mid-chest.
Arterial Line Leveling Frequency - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Should be leveled continuously during
position changes.
Number the steps of zeroing an arterial line in the correct order: - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Level the
transducer
Turn the transducer stopcock off to the patient, open to air. Discard cap.
Zero the transducer on the monitor
Place a new cap and turn the transducer stopcock off to air, open to patient.
How is cardiac output (CO) calculated? What are the four factors influencing CO? - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅CO = Stroke Volume x Heart Rate
Heart rate, preload, afterload, and contractility
How is mean arterial pressure (MAP) calculated? - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅(𝟐 × 𝑫𝒊𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄) + 𝑺𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄
/3
Preload - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Volume/Fluid Status
Determinants of Preload - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Increases: Volume administration
Decreases: Hypovolemia, Third spacing, Vasodilation, Diuretics, Dialysis
, Afterload - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Vascular Tone/Resistance
Determinants of Afterload - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Increases: Vasoconstriction, Stenosis, vasopressors
Decreases: Vasodilation
Contractility - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Cardiac Squeeze
Determinants of contractility - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Electrolyte levels, Myocardial oxygenation,
Functional myocardium, Inotropic medications, Metabolic disorders
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Assessment tool for consciousness level in
patients.
GCS Components - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Best eye opening, motor response, verbal response.
GCS Score Range - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Scores range from 3 to 15; <8 indicates intubation.
Considerations for GCS Use - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Factors like intoxication, shock, hypoxia affect
accuracy.
Central Stimulus - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Painful stimulus requiring brain response for assessment.
Peripheral Stimulus - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Painful stimulus causing reflex response, not brain-
dependent.
Expressive Aphasia - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Can follow commands but struggles to express words.
Receptive Aphasia - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Difficulty understanding commands and context in speech.
Which rhythms can be defibrillated? - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅V fib and pulseless V tach
How do you deactivate AED mode on the Lifepak 20E? - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Open the door on the
Lifepak or press the "LEAD"
button
Clinical criteria for symptomatic bradycardia or tachycardia - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Hypotension,
acutely altered mental status, signs of shock, ischemic chest discomfort, acute heart failure
Intervention for asymptomatic bradycardic patient - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Monitor and observe
Interventions for symptomatic (unstable) bradycardia - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Atropine, then
transcutaneous pacing and/or Dopamine/Epinephrine infusion
Failure to capture - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Pacer spike without a corresponding QRS complex. Increase
mA/current/energy
Intervention for symptomatic (unstable) tachycardia - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Synchronized
cardioversion
Interventions for asymptomatic (stable) tachycardia (Narrow QRS) - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Beta
blockers or Calcium channel blockers. Vagal Maneuvers or adenosine IF REGULAR
Interventions for asymptomatic (stable) tachycardia (Wide QRS) - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Adenosine if
regular or antiarrhythmics
What is the preferred method for administering a bolus when ordered to be given in less than 60
minutes? - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Pressure bag
,What are the nursing responsibilities of caring for an arterial line? - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Monitor
perfusio, temperature, color, capillary refill, pulse, pain, paresthesia, motor function; Assess site; Zero
and perform dynamic response test at least once a shift and as needed; Check system to ensure alarms
on, bag is inflated and system is functioning
The pressure bag on an arterial line must be inflated to what value? - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅300 mm
Hg, keep within the green range.
Phlebostatic Axis - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Located at the 4th intercostal space, mid-chest.
Arterial Line Leveling Frequency - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Should be leveled continuously during
position changes.
Number the steps of zeroing an arterial line in the correct order: - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Level the
transducer
Turn the transducer stopcock off to the patient, open to air. Discard cap.
Zero the transducer on the monitor
Place a new cap and turn the transducer stopcock off to air, open to patient.
How is cardiac output (CO) calculated? What are the four factors influencing CO? - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅CO = Stroke Volume x Heart Rate
Heart rate, preload, afterload, and contractility
How is mean arterial pressure (MAP) calculated? - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅(𝟐 × 𝑫𝒊𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄) + 𝑺𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄
/3
Preload - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Volume/Fluid Status
Determinants of Preload - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Increases: Volume administration
Decreases: Hypovolemia, Third spacing, Vasodilation, Diuretics, Dialysis
, Afterload - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Vascular Tone/Resistance
Determinants of Afterload - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Increases: Vasoconstriction, Stenosis, vasopressors
Decreases: Vasodilation
Contractility - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Cardiac Squeeze
Determinants of contractility - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Electrolyte levels, Myocardial oxygenation,
Functional myocardium, Inotropic medications, Metabolic disorders
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Assessment tool for consciousness level in
patients.
GCS Components - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Best eye opening, motor response, verbal response.
GCS Score Range - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Scores range from 3 to 15; <8 indicates intubation.
Considerations for GCS Use - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Factors like intoxication, shock, hypoxia affect
accuracy.
Central Stimulus - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Painful stimulus requiring brain response for assessment.
Peripheral Stimulus - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Painful stimulus causing reflex response, not brain-
dependent.
Expressive Aphasia - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Can follow commands but struggles to express words.
Receptive Aphasia - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Difficulty understanding commands and context in speech.
