ACLS Pre-Course Self-
Assessment QUESTIONS
WITH 100% ANSWERS
A monitored patient in the ICU developed a sudden onset of narrow-complex tachycardia at a rate of
220/min. The patient's blood pressure is 128/58 mm Hg, the PETCO2 is 38 mm Hg, and the pulse
oximetry reading is 98%. There is vascular access in the left arm, and the patient has not been given any
vasoactive drugs. A 12-lead ECG confirms a supraventricular tachycardia with no evidence of ischemia or
infarction. The heart rate has not responded to vagal maneuvers. What is your next action?
Administer amiodarone 300 mg IV push
Administer adenosine 6 mg IV push
Perform synchronized cardioversion at 200 J
Perform synchronized cardioversion at 50 J - Answer: Administer adenosine 6 mg IV push
You are caring for a 66-year-old man with a history of a large intracerebral hemorrhage 2 months ago.
He is being evaluated for another acute stroke. The CT scan is negative for hemorrhage. The patient is
receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min, and an IV has been established. His blood pressure is
180/100 mm Hg. Which drug do you anticipate giving to this patient?
Aspirin
rtPA
Glucose (D50)
Nicardipine - Answer: Aspirin
A patient is in pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Two shocks and 1 dose of epinephrine have been given.
Which drug should be given next?
, Epinephrine 3 mg
Lidocaine 0.5 mg/kg
Amiodarone 300 mg
Adenosine 6 mg - Answer: Amiodarone 300 mg
A patient with possible STEMI has ongoing chest discomfort. What is a contraindication to nitrate
administration?
Heart rate less than 90/min
Use of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor within the previous 24 hours
Anterior wall myocardial infarction
Systolic blood pressure greater than 180 mm Hg - Answer: Use of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor within
the previous 24 hours
A patient is in cardiac arrest. High-quality chest compressions are being given. The patient is intubated,
and an IV has been started. The rhythm is asystole. What is the first drug/dose to administer?
Dopamine 2 to 20 mcg/kg per minute IV/IO
Atropine 1 mg IV/IO
Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO
Atropine 0.5 mg IV/IO - Answer: Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO
A patient is in refractory ventricular fibrillation. High-quality CPR is in progress. One dose of epinephrine
was given after the second shock. An antiarrhythmic drug was given immediately after the third shock.
You are the team leader. Which medication do you order next?
Epinephrine 1 mg
A second dose of the antiarrhythmic drug
Epinephrine 3 mg
Assessment QUESTIONS
WITH 100% ANSWERS
A monitored patient in the ICU developed a sudden onset of narrow-complex tachycardia at a rate of
220/min. The patient's blood pressure is 128/58 mm Hg, the PETCO2 is 38 mm Hg, and the pulse
oximetry reading is 98%. There is vascular access in the left arm, and the patient has not been given any
vasoactive drugs. A 12-lead ECG confirms a supraventricular tachycardia with no evidence of ischemia or
infarction. The heart rate has not responded to vagal maneuvers. What is your next action?
Administer amiodarone 300 mg IV push
Administer adenosine 6 mg IV push
Perform synchronized cardioversion at 200 J
Perform synchronized cardioversion at 50 J - Answer: Administer adenosine 6 mg IV push
You are caring for a 66-year-old man with a history of a large intracerebral hemorrhage 2 months ago.
He is being evaluated for another acute stroke. The CT scan is negative for hemorrhage. The patient is
receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min, and an IV has been established. His blood pressure is
180/100 mm Hg. Which drug do you anticipate giving to this patient?
Aspirin
rtPA
Glucose (D50)
Nicardipine - Answer: Aspirin
A patient is in pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Two shocks and 1 dose of epinephrine have been given.
Which drug should be given next?
, Epinephrine 3 mg
Lidocaine 0.5 mg/kg
Amiodarone 300 mg
Adenosine 6 mg - Answer: Amiodarone 300 mg
A patient with possible STEMI has ongoing chest discomfort. What is a contraindication to nitrate
administration?
Heart rate less than 90/min
Use of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor within the previous 24 hours
Anterior wall myocardial infarction
Systolic blood pressure greater than 180 mm Hg - Answer: Use of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor within
the previous 24 hours
A patient is in cardiac arrest. High-quality chest compressions are being given. The patient is intubated,
and an IV has been started. The rhythm is asystole. What is the first drug/dose to administer?
Dopamine 2 to 20 mcg/kg per minute IV/IO
Atropine 1 mg IV/IO
Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO
Atropine 0.5 mg IV/IO - Answer: Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO
A patient is in refractory ventricular fibrillation. High-quality CPR is in progress. One dose of epinephrine
was given after the second shock. An antiarrhythmic drug was given immediately after the third shock.
You are the team leader. Which medication do you order next?
Epinephrine 1 mg
A second dose of the antiarrhythmic drug
Epinephrine 3 mg
