ACLS Post Test Answer Key 2022
You are caring for a patient with a suspected stroke whose symptoms started 2 hours ago. The CT was normal with no sign of hemorrhage. The patient does not have any contraindications to fibrinolytic therapy. Which treatment is best? a. start fibrinolytic therapy ASAP b. hold fibrinolytic therapy for 24 hours c. order an echo before fibrinolytic administration d. wait for MRI result
ANSWER : a. start fibrinolytic therapy ASAP
For STEMI pt, maximum goal time for ED door-to-balloon-inflation time for PCI? a. 150 mins b. 180 mins c. 120 mins d. 90 mins
ANSWER : d. 90 mins
Which is the recommended oral dose of aspirin for a patient with suspected acute coronary syndrome? a. 81 mg b. 325-650 mg c. 160-325 mg d. 40 mg
ANSWER : c. 160-325 mg
chest compressions during for adult rate a. 40-60/min b. 60-80/min c. 80-100/min d. 100-120/min
ANSWER : d. 100-120/min
What is the effect of excessive ventilation? a. decresed cardiac output b. decreased intrathoracic
pressure c. increased perfusion pressure d. increased venous return
ANSWER : a. decreased cardiac output
temperature to achieve targeted temperature management after cardiac arrest a. 30-34C b. 32-36C c.
36-40C d. 38-42C
ANSWER : b. 32-36C
3 mins into cardiac arrest resuscitation attempt, one member of your team inserts an endotracheal tube
while another performs chest compressions. Capnography shows a persistent waveform & a PETCO2 of
8mmHg. What is the significance of the finding? a. chest compression may not be effective b. The
endotrachael tube is in the esophagus c. the team is ventilating the patient too often d. the patient
meets the criteria for termination of efforts
ANSWER : a. chest compression may not be effective
Your patient is in cardiac arrest and has been intubated. To assess CPR quality, you should? a. obtain a
chest x-ray b. check the patient’s pulse c. monitor the patient’s PETCO2 d. obtain a 12-lead ECG
ANSWER : c. monitor the patient’s PETCO2
In addition to clinical assessment, which is the most reliable method to confirm & monitor correct
placement of an endotracheal tube? a. arterial blood gas b. hemoglobin levels c. chest radiography d.
continuous waveform capnography
ANSWER : d. continuous waveform capnography
A 45M had coronary artery stents placed 2 days ago. Today he is in severe distress and reporting
“crushing” chest discomfort. He is pale, diphoretic, and cool to the touch. His radial pulse is very weak,
blood pressure is 64/40, respiratory is 28 bpm/min and O2 set is 89% on room air.
ANSWER : answer has to do with acute coronary syndrome
A 45M had coronary artery stents placed 2 days ago. Today he is in severe distress and reporting
“crushing” chest discomfort. He is pale, diphoretic, and cool to the touch. His radial pulse is very weak,
blood pressure is 64/40, respiratory is 28 bpm/min and O2 set is 89% on room air. When applied, the
cardiac monitor initially showed ventricular tachycardia, which then quickly changed to ventricular
fibrillation. WhIn addition to defibrillation, which intervention should be performed immediately?
ANSWER : a. chest compression
A 45M had coronary artery stents placed 2 days ago. Today he is in severe distress and reporting
“crushing” chest discomfort. He is pale, diphoretic, and cool to the touch. His radial pulse is very weak,
blood pressure is 64/40, respiratory is 28 bpm/min and O2 set is 89% on room air. When applied, the
cardiac monitor initially showed ventricular tachycardia, which then quickly changed to ventricular
fibrillation. Despite 2 defibrillation attempts, the patient remains in V-fib. Which drug and dose should
you administer?
ANSWER : c. epinephrine 1 mg
A 45M had coronary artery stents placed 2 days ago. Today he is in severe distress and reporting
“crushing” chest discomfort. He is pale, diphoretic, and cool to the touch. His radial pulse is very weak,
blood pressure is 64/40, respiratory is 28 bpm/min and O2 set is 89% on room air. When applied, the
cardiac monitor initially showed ventricular tachycardia, which then quickly changed to ventricular
fibrillation. Despite the drug provided above and continued CPR, the patient remains in v-fib. Which drug
should be administered next?
ANSWER : c. amiodarone 300mg
A 45M had coronary artery stents placed 2 days ago. Today he is in severe distress and reporting
“crushing” chest discomfort. He is pale, diphoretic, and cool to the touch. His radial pulse is very weak,
blood pressure is 64/40, respiratory is 28 bpm/min and O2 set is 89% on room air. When applied, the
cardiac monitor initially showed ventricular tachycardia, which then quickly changed to ventricular
fibrillation. The patient has return of spontaneous circulation and is not able to follow commands. Which
immediate post-cardiac arrest care intervention do you choose for the patient?
ANSWER : d. initiate targeted temperature management
A 45M had coronary artery stents placed 2 days ago. Today he is in severe distress and reporting
“crushing” chest discomfort. He is pale, diphoretic, and cool to the touch. His radial pulse is very weak,
blood pressure is 64/40, respiratory is 28 bpm/min and O2 set is 89% on room air. When applied, the
cardiac monitor initially showed ventricular tachycardia, which then quickly changed to ventricular
fibrillation. Which would you have done first if the patient had not gone into ventricular fibrillation?
ANSWER : d. performed synchronized cardioversion
During post-cardiac arrest, which is recommended duration of targeted temp. management after
reaching the correct temperature range? a. at least 24 hours b. 0-8 hour c. at least 36 hours d. at least 48
hours
ANSWER : a. at least 24 hours
which is the primary purpose of medical emergency team or rapid response team? a. provide diagnostic
consultation to emergency department patients b. provide online consultation to EMS personnel c.
improving patient outcomes by identifying & treating early clinical deterioration d. improving care for
patients admitted to critical care units
ANSWER : c. improving patient outcomes by identifying & treating early clinical deterioration
Which of these tests should be performed for a patient with suspected stroke within 25 mins of hospital
arrival? a. coagulation studies b. cardiac enzymes c. noncontrast CT scan of the head d. 12 lead ECG
ANSWER : c. non-contrast CT scan of the head
Which of the following signs are likely indicator of cardiac arrest in an unresponsive patient? a. slow,
weak pulse rate b. cyanosis c. irregular, weak pulse d. agonal gasps
ANSWER : d. agnoal gasps
a patient is being resuscitated in a very noisy environment. A team member thinks he heard an order of
500mg of amiodarone IV. Which is the best response from the team member?
ANSWER : I have an order to give 500mg of amiodarone IV. Is this correct?
Which is the recommended next step after a defibrillation attempt? a. check the ECG for evidence of a
rhythm b. determine if a carotid pulse is present c. resume CPR, starting with chest compressions d.
open the patient’s airway
ANSWER : c. resume CPR, starting with chest compressions
A responder is caring for a patient with a history of congestive heart failure. The patient is experiencing
shortness of breath, 68/50 mmHg, heart rate 190/min. The patient’s lead 2 ECG is shown. Which best
characterizes this patient’s rhythm?
ANSWER : unstable supraventicular tachycardia
which is one way to minimize interruptions in chest compressions during CPR?
ANSWER : continue CPR while the defibrillator charges
A 68F lightheadedness, nausea, chest discomfort. Your assessment finds her awake & responsive but
ill-appearing, pale, and grossly diaphoretic. Her radial pulse is weak, thready & fast. Your are unable to
get a BP. She has no obvious dependent edema, & her neck veins are flat. Her lung sounds are equal w/
moderate rales present bilaterally. The cardiac monitor shows rhythm seen here. Based on the patient’s
initial assessment, what adult ACLS algorithm should you follow?
ANSWER : tachycardia wide complex (monophasic) tachycardia
A 68F lightheadedness, nausea, chest discomfort. Your assessment finds her awake & responsive but
ill-appearing, pale, and grossly diaphoretic. Her radial pulse is weak, thready & fast. Your are unable to
get a BP. She has no obvious dependent edema, & her neck veins are flat. Her lung sounds are equal w/
moderate rales present bilaterally. The cardiac monitor shows rhythm seen here. After your initial
assessment, which intervention should be preformed?
ANSWER : synchronized cardioversiion
A 68F lightheadedness, nausea, chest discomfort. Your assessment finds her awake & responsive but
ill-appearing, pale, and grossly diaphoretic. Her radial pulse is weak, thready & fast. Your are unable to
get a BP. She has no obvious dependent edema, & her neck veins are flat. Her lung sounds are equal w/
moderate rales present bilaterally. The cardiac monitor shows rhythm seen here. If the patient became
apnic & pulseless but the rhythm remained the same, which would take the highest priority?
ANSWER : perform defibrillation
Which best describes the rhythm?
ANSWER : monomorphic ventricular tachycardia
A patient in stable narrow-complex tachycardia with a peripheral IV in place is refractory to the 1st dose
of adenosine. Which dose would you administer next?
ANSWER : 12mg
You instruct a team member to give 0.5mg atropine IV. Which response is an example of closed-loop
communication?
ANSWER : I’ll draw up 0.5mg of atropine
A patient has a witnessed loss of consciousness. The lead 2 ECG is shown. appropriate treatment?
ANSWER : defibrillation
You have completed 2 mins of CPR. The ECG monitor shows the lead 2 rhythm, and the patient has no
pulse. Another member of your team resumes chest compression, and an IV is in place. Which do you do
next?
ANSWER : Give epi 1mg IV
to properly ventilate a patient w/ perfusing rhythm, how often do you squeeze the bag? a. once every 10
seconds b. once every 5 to 6 seconds c. once every 3 to 4 seconds d. once every 12 seconds
ANSWER : b. once every 5-6 seconds
Which is the recommended 1st IV dose of amiodarone for a patient w/ refractory ventricular fibrillation?
a. 150 mg b. 250 mg c. 300 mg d. 100 mg
ANSWER : c. 300mg
Which best describes the length of time it should take to perform a pulse check during BLS assessment?
a. 1 to 4 seconds b. 5 to 10 seconds c. 11 to 15 seconds d. 16 to 20 seconds
ANSWER : b. 5 to 10 seconds
Which best describes an action taken by the team leader to avoid inefficiencies during a resuscitation
attempt?
ANSWER : clearly delegate tasks
Which is the maximum interval you should allow for an interruption in chest compression?
ANSWER : 10 seconds
If a team member is about to make a mistake during a resuscitation attempt, which best describes the
action that the team leader or other team members should take? a. address the team member
immediately b. conduct a debriefing after the resuscitation attempt c. remove the team member from
the area d. reassign the team members
ANSWER : a. address the team member immediately
Which facility is the most appropriate EMS destination for a patient w/ a sudden cardiac arrest who
achieved return of spontaneous circulation in the field?
ANSWER : coronary reperfusion-capable medical center
which is an acceptable method of selecting an appropriately sized oropharyngeal airway?
ANSWER : measure from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the mandible
A team member is unable to perform an assigned task because it is beyond the team member’s scope of
practice. Which action should the team member take?
ANSWER : ask for a new task or role
What is the minimum systolic blood pressure one should attempt to achieve w/ fluid administration or
vasoactive agents in a hypotensive post-cardiac arrest patient who achieves return of spontaneous
circulation?
ANSWER : 90 mmHg
You are evaluating a 58M w/ chest discomfort, BP 92/50, heart rate 92/min, his non-labored respiratory
rate is 14 bpm, and his pulse oximetry reading is 97%. Which assessment step is most important now?
ANSWER : obtaining a 12 lead
As a team leader, when do you tell the chest compressors to switch? a. about every 2 minutes b. about
every 5 minutes c. only when they tell you that they are fatigued d. about every 7 minutes
ANSWER : a. about every 2 minutes
The patient’s pulse ox shows a reading of 84% on room air. Which initial action do you take?
ANSWER : apply oxygen (I think I put Bag valve mask for this and I got it wrong)
1. You find an unresponsive patient who is not breathing. After activating the emergency response system, you determine that there is no pulse. What is your next action?
A. Open the airway with a head tilt–chin lift.
B. Administer epinephrine at a dose of 1 mg/kg.
C. Deliver 2 rescue breaths each over 1 second.
D. Start chest compressions at a rate of at least 100/min.(CORRECT ANSWER)
2. You are evaluating a 58-year-old man with chest pain. The blood pressure is 92/50 mm Hg, the heart rate is 92/min, the nonlabored respiratory rate is 14 breaths/min, and the pulse oximetry reading is 97%. What assessment step is most important now?
A. PETCO2
B. Chest x-ray
C. Laboratory testing
D. Obtaining a 12-lead ECG(CORRECT ANSWER)
3. What is the preferred method of access for epinephrine administration during cardiac arrest in most patients?
A. Intraosseous
B. Endotracheal
C. Central intravenous
D. Peripheral intravenous(CORRECT ANSWER)
4. An activated AED does not promptly analyze the rhythm. What is your next action?
A. Begin chest compressions.(CORRECT ANSWER)
B. Discontinue the resuscitation attempt.
C. Check all AED connections and reanalyze.
D. Rotate AED electrodes to an alternate position.
5. You have completed 2 minutes of CPR. The ECG monitor displays the lead II rhythm below, and the patient has no pulse. Another member of your team resumes chest compressions, and an IV is in place. What management step is your next priority?
A. Give 0.5 mg of atropine.
B. Insert an advanced airway.
C. Administer 1 mg of epinephrine.(CORRECT ANSWER)
D. Administer a dopamine infusion.
6. During a pause in CPR, you see this lead II ECG rhythm on the monitor. The patient has no pulse. What is the next action?
A. Establish vascular access.
B. Obtain the patient’s history.
C. Resume chest compressions.(CORRECT ANSWER)
D. Terminate the resuscitative effort.
7. What is a common but sometimes fatal mistake in cardiac arrest management?
A. Failure to obtain vascular access
B. Prolonged periods of no ventilations
C. Failure to perform endotracheal intubation
D. Prolonged interruptions in chest compressions(CORRECT ANSWER)
8. Which action is a component of high-quality chest compressions?
A. Allowing complete chest recoil(CORRECT ANSWER)
B. Chest compressions without ventilation
C. 60 to 100 compressions per minute with a 15:2 ratio
D. Uninterrupted compressions at a depth of 1½ inches
9. What should be done to minimize interruptions in chest compressions during CPR?
A. Perform pulse checks only after defibrillation.
B. Continue CPR while the defibrillator is charging.(CORRECT ANSWER)
C. Administer IV medications only when breaths are given.
D. Continue to use AED even after the arrival of a manual defibrillator.
10. Which condition is an indication to stop or withhold resuscitative efforts?
A. Unwitnessed arrest
B. Safety threat to providers(CORRECT ANSWER)
C. Patient age greater than 85 years
D. No return of spontaneous circulation after 10 minutes of CPR
11. After verifying the absence of a pulse, you initiate CPR with adequate bag-mask ventilation. The patient’s lead II ECG appears below. What is your next action?
A. IV or IO access(CORRECT ANSWER)
B. Endotracheal tube placement
C. Consultation with cardiology for possible PCI
D. Application of a transcutaneous pacemake
12. After verifying unresponsiveness and abnormal breathing, you activate the emergency response team. What is your next action?
A. Retrieve an AED.
B. Check for a pulse. (CORRECT ANSWER)
C. Deliver 2 rescue breaths.
D. Administer a precordial thump.