ACLS Final Exam 2025 – March Updated
Version | Complete Study Guide for
Advanced Cardiac Life Support
Certification
A patient with suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is placed on a cardiac
monitor. The patient is complaining of dyspnea and is given supplemental
oxygen. The provider determines that the oxygen is effective based on which
SaO2 level?
When a patient presents with potential ACS, the patient should have oxygen
administered to maintain an SaO2 of at least 94%.
A patient experiences cardiac arrest, and the resuscitation team initiates
ventilations using a bag-valve-mask (BVM) resuscitator. The development of
which condition during the provision of care would lead the team to suspect that
improper BVM technique is being used?
Complications can occur with the use of a BVM resuscitator due to improper
technique. Delivering excessive volume or ventilating too fast creates excessive
pressure that can damage the airways, lungs and other organs. Excessive
volume can lead to tension pneumothorax.
Assessment of a patient reveals an ETCO2 level of 55 mmHg and an arterial
oxygen saturation (SaO2) level of 88%. The provider would interpret these
findings as indicative of which condition?
An SaO2 level of less than 90% (PaO2 of less than 50 mmHg) accompanied by
ETCO2 values greater than 50 mmHg is indicative of respiratory failure.
, A healthcare provider initiates ventilations to ensure adequate breathing and
oxygenation. While ventilations are being performed, capnography is established
to evaluate the adequacy of the ventilations. The healthcare provider determines
that ventilations are adequate based on which end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2)
value?
End-tidal carbon dioxide values in the range of 35 to 45 mmHg confirm adequacy
of ventilation.
A patient comes to the emergency department complaining of palpitations and
"some shortness of breath." Cardiac monitoring is initiated and reveals the
following ECG rhythm strip. The provider interprets this strip as indicating
which arrhythmia?
In atrial flutter, atrial contraction occurs at such a rapid rate that discrete P waves
separated by a flat baseline cannot be seen on the strip. Instead, the baseline
continually rises and falls, producing the "flutter" waves. In leads II and III, the
flutter waves may be quite prominent, creating a "sawtooth" pattern. Because of
the volume of atrial impulses, the AV node allows only some of the impulses to
pass through to the ventricles. In atrial flutter, a 2:1 ratio is the most common (i.e.,
for every two flutter waves, only one impulse passes through the AV node to
generate a QRS complex). Ratios of 3:1 and 4:1 are also frequently seen.
A person suddenly collapses while sitting in the sunroom of a healthcare
facility. A healthcare provider observes the event and hurries over to assess the
situation. The healthcare provider performs which assessment first?
A systematic approach to assessment is necessary. The healthcare provider should
first perform a rapid assessment. A rapid assessment is a quick visual survey to
ensure safety, to form an initial impression about the patient's condition, and to
check for responsiveness, breathing and a pulse if the patient appears to be
unresponsive. This would be followed by a primary assessment and then a
secondary assessment.
Version | Complete Study Guide for
Advanced Cardiac Life Support
Certification
A patient with suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is placed on a cardiac
monitor. The patient is complaining of dyspnea and is given supplemental
oxygen. The provider determines that the oxygen is effective based on which
SaO2 level?
When a patient presents with potential ACS, the patient should have oxygen
administered to maintain an SaO2 of at least 94%.
A patient experiences cardiac arrest, and the resuscitation team initiates
ventilations using a bag-valve-mask (BVM) resuscitator. The development of
which condition during the provision of care would lead the team to suspect that
improper BVM technique is being used?
Complications can occur with the use of a BVM resuscitator due to improper
technique. Delivering excessive volume or ventilating too fast creates excessive
pressure that can damage the airways, lungs and other organs. Excessive
volume can lead to tension pneumothorax.
Assessment of a patient reveals an ETCO2 level of 55 mmHg and an arterial
oxygen saturation (SaO2) level of 88%. The provider would interpret these
findings as indicative of which condition?
An SaO2 level of less than 90% (PaO2 of less than 50 mmHg) accompanied by
ETCO2 values greater than 50 mmHg is indicative of respiratory failure.
, A healthcare provider initiates ventilations to ensure adequate breathing and
oxygenation. While ventilations are being performed, capnography is established
to evaluate the adequacy of the ventilations. The healthcare provider determines
that ventilations are adequate based on which end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2)
value?
End-tidal carbon dioxide values in the range of 35 to 45 mmHg confirm adequacy
of ventilation.
A patient comes to the emergency department complaining of palpitations and
"some shortness of breath." Cardiac monitoring is initiated and reveals the
following ECG rhythm strip. The provider interprets this strip as indicating
which arrhythmia?
In atrial flutter, atrial contraction occurs at such a rapid rate that discrete P waves
separated by a flat baseline cannot be seen on the strip. Instead, the baseline
continually rises and falls, producing the "flutter" waves. In leads II and III, the
flutter waves may be quite prominent, creating a "sawtooth" pattern. Because of
the volume of atrial impulses, the AV node allows only some of the impulses to
pass through to the ventricles. In atrial flutter, a 2:1 ratio is the most common (i.e.,
for every two flutter waves, only one impulse passes through the AV node to
generate a QRS complex). Ratios of 3:1 and 4:1 are also frequently seen.
A person suddenly collapses while sitting in the sunroom of a healthcare
facility. A healthcare provider observes the event and hurries over to assess the
situation. The healthcare provider performs which assessment first?
A systematic approach to assessment is necessary. The healthcare provider should
first perform a rapid assessment. A rapid assessment is a quick visual survey to
ensure safety, to form an initial impression about the patient's condition, and to
check for responsiveness, breathing and a pulse if the patient appears to be
unresponsive. This would be followed by a primary assessment and then a
secondary assessment.
