Advanced Cardiovascular
Life Support Exam Version A
(50 questions)
Please do not mark on this exam. Record the best answer on the
separate answer sheet.
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.
Answer: D
Rationale: According to the BLS algorithm, after determining
unresponsiveness, activating EMS, and confirming no pulse, the next action is
to begin chest compressions. The compression-only CPR approach emphasizes
starting compressions immediately. The recommended compression rate is at
least 100 per minute. Rescue breaths, while part of standard CPR, are not the
immediate next step after pulse confirmation.
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
Answer: D
Rationale: In a patient with chest pain, obtaining a 12-lead ECG is the most
important initial diagnostic assessment. It should be performed within 10
minutes of arrival to identify STEMI and determine eligibility for reperfusion
therapy. The patient's borderline blood pressure warrants rapid evaluation to
identify potentially life-threatening conditions.
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
Answer: D
Rationale: Peripheral intravenous access is the preferred first-line route for
drug administration during cardiac arrest in most patients. It is easily
accessible, does not require interruption of CPR, and has fewer complications
than central line placement. If peripheral access cannot be established after
multiple attempts, intraosseous access is the next preferred route.
4. An activated AED does not promptly analyze the rhythm. What is your
next action?
, A. Begin chest compressions.
B. Discontinue the resuscitation attempt.
C. Check all AED connections and reanalyze.
D. Rotate AED electrodes to an alternate position.
Answer: A
Rationale: If an AED does not promptly analyze the rhythm, the priority is to
resume chest compressions immediately. Minimizing interruptions in chest
compressions is critical for maintaining coronary and cerebral perfusion.
Troubleshooting the AED should occur while compressions are ongoing, not
instead of them.
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.
D. Administer a dopamine infusion.
Answer: C
Rationale: For a nonshockable rhythm (PEA/asystole) with no pulse, the next
priority is to administer epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes. Atropine is
no longer recommended for PEA or asystole. Epinephrine causes
Life Support Exam Version A
(50 questions)
Please do not mark on this exam. Record the best answer on the
separate answer sheet.
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.
Answer: D
Rationale: According to the BLS algorithm, after determining
unresponsiveness, activating EMS, and confirming no pulse, the next action is
to begin chest compressions. The compression-only CPR approach emphasizes
starting compressions immediately. The recommended compression rate is at
least 100 per minute. Rescue breaths, while part of standard CPR, are not the
immediate next step after pulse confirmation.
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
Answer: D
Rationale: In a patient with chest pain, obtaining a 12-lead ECG is the most
important initial diagnostic assessment. It should be performed within 10
minutes of arrival to identify STEMI and determine eligibility for reperfusion
therapy. The patient's borderline blood pressure warrants rapid evaluation to
identify potentially life-threatening conditions.
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
Answer: D
Rationale: Peripheral intravenous access is the preferred first-line route for
drug administration during cardiac arrest in most patients. It is easily
accessible, does not require interruption of CPR, and has fewer complications
than central line placement. If peripheral access cannot be established after
multiple attempts, intraosseous access is the next preferred route.
4. An activated AED does not promptly analyze the rhythm. What is your
next action?
, A. Begin chest compressions.
B. Discontinue the resuscitation attempt.
C. Check all AED connections and reanalyze.
D. Rotate AED electrodes to an alternate position.
Answer: A
Rationale: If an AED does not promptly analyze the rhythm, the priority is to
resume chest compressions immediately. Minimizing interruptions in chest
compressions is critical for maintaining coronary and cerebral perfusion.
Troubleshooting the AED should occur while compressions are ongoing, not
instead of them.
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.
D. Administer a dopamine infusion.
Answer: C
Rationale: For a nonshockable rhythm (PEA/asystole) with no pulse, the next
priority is to administer epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes. Atropine is
no longer recommended for PEA or asystole. Epinephrine causes
