ACLS Practice Questions
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Quality CPR includes all of the following except?
The best answer is: rapid ventilations (30-50 per minute)
Based on the most recent Guidelines for CPR & ECC: a., b., and d. responses are correct. However, there is a clear warning “Avoid hyperventilation” making c. incorrect.
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Atropine may increase the heart rate by:
The best answer is: all of the above
Atropine is parasympatholytic agent that, through its effect on vagal tone, often speeds up the rate of the sinus node, making it the drug of choice for symptomatic sinus bradycardia. Due to the effects on the AV node, atropine may speed up a junctional rhythm and/or reverse an AV node level heart block. Atropine does not work below the AV node, so, it will not speed up ventricular escape pacemakers.
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If the staff decided that this patient’s condition warranted immediate intervention by initiating transcutaneous cardiac pacing, what secondary therapy would likely be required?
The best answer is: careful IV analgesia (i.e. morphine)
Because the transcutaneous cardiac pacemaker delivers electrical bursts through the chest wall using a level sufficient to capture and cause the ventricular muscle to depolarize, many patients experience significant pain and discomfort. Clinically, small doses of narcotic analgesics have demonstrated great success in managing this issue. Although some practitioners favor benzodiazepine drugs, they provide no analgesia. -
Is ventricular fibrillation is a form of PEA?
The best answer is: false
Rhythms such as ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia are not always associated with a pulse, thus, are not PEA. The definition of PEA is: an ECG rhythm where one would EXPECT a pulse, and there is none.
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Which of the following are side-effects associated with I.V. beta and calcium channel blocking drugs? (e.g. metoprolol, atenolol, verapamil, diltiazem, etc.)
The best answer is: all of the above
Both calcium and beta blocking drugs are negatively inotropic and can cause hypotension. They are both negatively chronotropic and may cause or worsen bradycardia. In addition, both can cause or worsen conduction problems. (heart blocks, etc.)
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The initial (1st shock) energy level which should be administered for pediatric defibrillation, should be:
The best answer is: 2.0 joules/kg
The initial energy recommendation for the first shock when treating pediatric patients is 2.0 joules/kg.
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A young trauma patient is brought into your emergency department, barely responsive, pale, with an 8 second capillary refill. The abdomen is distended and rigid. Stat hemoglobin comes back 6.6 gm. What would be the ideal fluid to treat this patients hypovolemic shock?
The best answer is: whole blood or packed cells
Although normal saline or Lactated Ringer’s Solution are commonly used in hypovolemia caused by hemorrhage, it is only because blood is not immediately available. Crystaloid solutions contain no red blood cells. Because red blood cells carry the majority of oxygen to tissues, it is essential to replete lost red blood cells as soon as possible.
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Wheezing is caused by:
The best answer is: all of the above
Wheezing is commonly a symptom of broncospasm, however, swelling of distal airways or mucous may cause or create the wheezing heard on auscultation.
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Patients requiring continuous positive airway pressure therapy (mechanical ventilation and/or CPAP) should:
The best answer is: all of the above
Critically ill or unstable patients receiving ventilatory support should be transferred to an intensive care setting where the staff is trained and capable of managing this higher level patient. All patients receiving positive airway pressure are at risk for life-threatening events like the development of a tension pneumothorax. The staff needs to be able to rapidly diagnose and treat this problem to prevent a bad outcome for the patient.
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Which of the following signs and symptoms would describe a patient with a “stable” tachyarrhythmia?
- 1. decreased level of consciousness associated with a breathing problem
- 2. cyanosis
- 3. good perfusion
- 4. alert, oriented, and cooperative
The best answer is: (3,4 only)
Patients with tachycardia who are “stable” show no signs of respiratory or perfusion abnormalities. In other words, the arrhythmia is causing no life-threatening or potentially life-threatening events.
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The infant chest should be compressed by the lone healthcare provider
The best answer is: Using 2 or 3 fingers, just below the nipple line
Using 2 or 3 fingers, just below the nipple line
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The American Heart Association recommends against using AEDs on infants.
The best answer is: AHA does not have a recommendation for or against the use of AEDs for infants (under 1 year of age)
AHA does not have a recommendation for or against the use of AEDs for infants (under 1 year of age)
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Healthcare providers should first verify that the victim is unresponsive after witnessing a sudden collapse.
The best answer is: True
True
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CPR is important before and after defibrillation.
The best answer is: True
True
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CPR should be continued until an automatic external defibrillator or manual defibrillator is available.
The best answer is: True
True
