ACLS Practice Questions ACLS PALS BLS
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Durable power of attorney for healthcare:
The best answer is: all of the above
When an adult assigns another adult durable power of attorney for healthcare, they essentially make that assignee them for the purposes of requesting or rejecting healthcare services. With the assignment of this legal authority, the agent has the right and the ability, as would the patient, to view their medical records, and, can terminate any and all contracts for medical care. They are not required to do anything but act on behalf of the patient.
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To enhance venous return during CPR on a pregnant patient:
The best answer is: the patient should be placed in a left lateral tilt (30 degrees) position
Current ECC Guidelines discuss the concern that a pregnant uterus may compress the inferior vena cava and reduce venous return, and hamper potential cardiac output. Placing the patient in this position during CPR is classified a IIa recommendation.
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Which of the following should be routinely given to patients with acute coronary syndromes?
The best answer is: all of the above
Unless a contraindication exists, patients with acute coronary syndromes should receive 160 – 325 mg of aspirin. Chewing the aspirin hastens absorption, however, is not tolerated by some patients. Nitroglycerin should be administered and morphine if the patient’s chest discomfort doesn’t improve with the nitroglycerin, or if the patient has high-anxiety levels. Oxygen should be considered. If the patient has no signs indicating the need for oxygen, it should not be given automatically.
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Although most treatment algorithms include epinephrine for the treatment of pulseless electrical activity (PEA), its success is unlikely. The primary goal when confronted with a PEA arrest should be to?
The best answer is: rapidly attempt to determine the cause of the PEA
The more rapidly a practitioner can identify a cause, the more rapidly a targeted intervention can occur. There is a small window of time when certain causes of PEA are treatable. The longer a patient stays in arrest, the less likely survival is.
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A high priority once the patient has arrived at the hospital is:
The best answer is: obtain stat CT scan or MRI
Unnecessary arterial punctures should be avoided due to the possibility of creating a contraindication to the use of fibrinolytic therapy. The verbal symptoms assisting in reaching a diagnosis, but do not require urgent evaluation. Unless there are specific cardiac symptoms, angiography of coronary vessels is not part of the routine stoke evaluation. Early determination of the stroke’s etiology via CT or MRI scans allows timely implementation of the proper intervention. (fibrinolytic vs. surgical)
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Which of the following are potential underlying causes of arrest not responding to treatment?
- 1. hypothermia
- 2. toxins
- 3. tension pneumothorax
- 4. hypovolemia
The best answer is: (all of the above)
All of the items listed are identified as potential underlying causes in the most recent Guidelines.
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In the unstable, bradycardic pediatric patient, if assisted ventilation with 100% oxygen fails to bring up the heart rate, CPR is recommended.
The best answer is: true
Unlike adult patients, children with life-threatening, severely unstable bradycardia refractory to emergency positive pressure assisted ventilation with 100% oxygen should receive CPR while other treatments are in progress.
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Cyanosis is most often considered a late sign in pediatric patients.
The best answer is: true
Children who desaturate enough hemoglobin to produce cyanosis are at high risk for cardiopulmonary arrest. Cyanosis should be treated immediately to prevent organ damage and/or arrest.
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Adenosine can be properly used to attempt to convert:
- 1. sinus tachycardia
- 2. narrow QRS, supraventricular tachycardia
- 3. broad QRS, regular tachycardia
- 4. all of the above
The best answer is: (2,3)
Because adenosine stops conduction through the AV node for several seconds, it often converts tachyarrhythmias whose circuitry bisects with the AV node (i.e., AV nodal reentrant tachycardia, etc.). Certain SVT’s have wide QRS complexes, and if the R-R interval is regular, adenosine can be administered as long as the patient is stable. Sinus tachycardia is not an arrhythmia per se, but a response to things such as anxiety, pain, hypovolemia, and fever. Patients with sinus tachycardia need the underlying causes treated. Adenosine will not be of benefit and should not be given.
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“Respiratory distress” is defined as:
The best answer is: increased work of breathing
The presence of cyanosis or apnea constitutes respiratory failure. The definition of respiratory distress is: an increased work of breathing.
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Sudden collapse in the adult is more likely a result of an arrhythmia that may require a defibrillator.
The best answer is: True
True
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When 2 or more healthcare providers are performing CPR on an infant, compressions should be done with
The best answer is: The 2 thumb-encircling hand technique
The 2 thumb-encircling hand technique
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Compressions should depress the chest of the infant and child by
The best answer is: One-third to one-half the depth of the chest
One-third to one-half the depth of the chest
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When an infant or child is found collapsed, which sequence is best to follow?
The best answer is: Check responsiveness, quickly check pulse, start chest compressions
Check responsiveness, quickly check pulse, start chest compressions
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When there is more than one person at the scene of an adult cardiac arrest, what are the roles of the rescuers?
The best answer is: One should stay with the victim to begin CPR while another rescuer calls 911 and retrieves an AED
One should stay with the victim to begin CPR while another rescuer calls 911 and retrieves an AED