ACLS Final Comprehensive Test Bank
Solution Guide updated 2021/2022
BLS & Chocking Relief of Adults, Children, Infants; Opioid Overdose; EKG interpretation; Cardiac
anatomy; Team dynamics; BLS/Primary/Secondary Assessment; H's & T's; Airway Management;
Bradycardia ACLS Algorithm; ACS ACLS Algorithm; Stroke ACLS Algorithm; Tachycardia ACLS
Algorithm; Immediate Post-Cardiac Arrest Care ACLS Algorithm; Phamacology
What is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in children?
Correct Ans- respiratory failure or shock
What is cardiac arrest?
Correct Ans- 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 Ans- A blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle.
List the eight components of high quality CPR.
Correct Ans- 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 Ans- 2 inches
What is the recommended compression depth for infants?
Correct Ans- 1 1/2 inches
What can result if a patient is ventilated too quickly?
Correct Ans- 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 Ans-
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 Ans-
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 Ans-
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 Ans-
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 Ans- 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 Ans- 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 Ans- 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 Ans- 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 should
be to:
Correct Ans- 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 Ans- 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 Ans- 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 Ans- to detect the presence of life-threatening problems that require rapid interventions
What two cardiac arrest rhythms are shockable?
Correct Ans- VF and pVT
What two cardiac arrest rhythms are not shockable?
Correct Ans- asystole and PEA
During the primary survey, for what length of time should you assess for the presence of a pulse?
Correct Ans- at least 5 seconds but no more than 10 seconds
What is the importance of measuring coronary perfusion pressure during CPR?
Correct Ans- 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 Ans- 15 mm Hg
What is the importance of measuring waveform capnography (PETCO2) during CPR? Correct
Ans- 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 Ans- 10-20 mm Hg
When ROSC occurs, what happens to waveform capnography?
, Correct Ans- 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.
What is chest compression fraction?
Correct Ans- 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 Ans- 60-80%
What is the appropriate tidal volume for adult cardiac arrest patients?
Correct Ans- 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 Ans- 30:2
At what rate should compressions occur?
Correct Ans- 100-120/min
Interruptions in chest compressions should be limited to how many seconds?
Correct Ans- <10
Rescuers should switch compressors how often?
Correct Ans- 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 Ans- 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 Ans- closed-loop communication
Which pulse is palpated when performing a BLS assessment on an adult?
Solution Guide updated 2021/2022
BLS & Chocking Relief of Adults, Children, Infants; Opioid Overdose; EKG interpretation; Cardiac
anatomy; Team dynamics; BLS/Primary/Secondary Assessment; H's & T's; Airway Management;
Bradycardia ACLS Algorithm; ACS ACLS Algorithm; Stroke ACLS Algorithm; Tachycardia ACLS
Algorithm; Immediate Post-Cardiac Arrest Care ACLS Algorithm; Phamacology
What is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in children?
Correct Ans- respiratory failure or shock
What is cardiac arrest?
Correct Ans- 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 Ans- A blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle.
List the eight components of high quality CPR.
Correct Ans- 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 Ans- 2 inches
What is the recommended compression depth for infants?
Correct Ans- 1 1/2 inches
What can result if a patient is ventilated too quickly?
Correct Ans- 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 Ans-
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 Ans-
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 Ans-
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 Ans-
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 Ans- 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 Ans- 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 Ans- 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 Ans- 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 should
be to:
Correct Ans- 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 Ans- 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 Ans- 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 Ans- to detect the presence of life-threatening problems that require rapid interventions
What two cardiac arrest rhythms are shockable?
Correct Ans- VF and pVT
What two cardiac arrest rhythms are not shockable?
Correct Ans- asystole and PEA
During the primary survey, for what length of time should you assess for the presence of a pulse?
Correct Ans- at least 5 seconds but no more than 10 seconds
What is the importance of measuring coronary perfusion pressure during CPR?
Correct Ans- 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 Ans- 15 mm Hg
What is the importance of measuring waveform capnography (PETCO2) during CPR? Correct
Ans- 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 Ans- 10-20 mm Hg
When ROSC occurs, what happens to waveform capnography?
, Correct Ans- 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.
What is chest compression fraction?
Correct Ans- 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 Ans- 60-80%
What is the appropriate tidal volume for adult cardiac arrest patients?
Correct Ans- 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 Ans- 30:2
At what rate should compressions occur?
Correct Ans- 100-120/min
Interruptions in chest compressions should be limited to how many seconds?
Correct Ans- <10
Rescuers should switch compressors how often?
Correct Ans- 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 Ans- 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 Ans- closed-loop communication
Which pulse is palpated when performing a BLS assessment on an adult?
