AMERICAN RED CROSS-ACLS-
FINAL EXAM 2026
A patient in the telemetry unit is receiving continuous cardiac monitoring. The patient has a
history of myocardial infarction. The patient's ECG rhythm strip is shown in the following figure.
The provider interprets this strip as indicating which arrhythmia? - ANSWER --Third-
degree AV block
A 28-year-old pregnant patient who resides in transitional housing presents to the emergency
department with complaints of feeling feverish and very faint. The patient tells the emergency
nurse that she does not know when she became pregnant. Upon palpation, the fundus is not at
or above the umbilicus. The patient's condition quickly deteriorates and she goes into cardiac
arrest. If available and able to be used without impeding or delaying the resuscitation effort,
what diagnostic tool could be used to guide decision-making in the care of this patient? -
ANSWER --Point-of-care ultrasound
A patient is in cardiac arrest. The cardiac monitor shows asystole. In addition to providing
continuous high-quality CPR, what is the other priority intervention for this patient? -
ANSWER --Administering epinephrine as early as possible
A patient has experienced return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after cardiac arrest. The
healthcare team is conducting a secondary assessment to determine the possible cause of the
patient's cardiac arrest. Before the arrest, the patient exhibited jugular venous distension,
cyanosis, apnea and hyperresonance on percussion. The patient was also difficult to ventilate
during the response. The team would most likely suspect which condition as the cause? -
ANSWER --Tension Pneumothorax
A patient with suspected stroke arrives at the emergency department. The patient is diagnosed
with acute ischemic stroke and is a candidate for fibrinolytic therapy. To achieve the best
, outcomes, this therapy should be initiated within what time frame? - ANSWER --Within 1
hour of patient's arrival.
Cardiac monitoring indicates that a patient has a ventricular tachyarrhythmia. The patient has a
pulse and is not showing any signs of hemodynamic compromise. A 12-lead ECG reveals an
irregular rhythm with QRS complexes greater than 0.12 second in duration. Which action would
be appropriate at this time? - ANSWER --Consider an antiarrhythmic medication
A responsive patient is choking. What method should the provider use first to clear the
obstructed airway? - ANSWER --Back blows
What is the priority intervention for a patient with a narrow-complex tachycardia (160 bpm) and
a blood pressure of 72/48 mmHg? - ANSWER --Perform immediate synchronized
cardioversion
For a patient with third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block and a blood pressure of 70/48 mmHg,
what interventions should be considered? - ANSWER ---Initiate a dopamine infusion
-Administer atropine
-Initiate transcutaneous pacing
A patient arrives at the emergency department complaining of shortness of breath. The patient
has a long history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Assessment reveals respiratory
failure. Which action would be the initial priority to address the respiratory failure? -
ANSWER --Assisted ventilation with BVM resuscitator
The ECG rhythm strip of a patient who arrived in the emergency department complaining of
dizziness, syncope and shortness of breath reveals sinus bradycardia. When reviewing the
patient's medication history, the healthcare provider identifies which agent(s) as a potential
cause of the patient's current condition? - ANSWER ---Verapamil
FINAL EXAM 2026
A patient in the telemetry unit is receiving continuous cardiac monitoring. The patient has a
history of myocardial infarction. The patient's ECG rhythm strip is shown in the following figure.
The provider interprets this strip as indicating which arrhythmia? - ANSWER --Third-
degree AV block
A 28-year-old pregnant patient who resides in transitional housing presents to the emergency
department with complaints of feeling feverish and very faint. The patient tells the emergency
nurse that she does not know when she became pregnant. Upon palpation, the fundus is not at
or above the umbilicus. The patient's condition quickly deteriorates and she goes into cardiac
arrest. If available and able to be used without impeding or delaying the resuscitation effort,
what diagnostic tool could be used to guide decision-making in the care of this patient? -
ANSWER --Point-of-care ultrasound
A patient is in cardiac arrest. The cardiac monitor shows asystole. In addition to providing
continuous high-quality CPR, what is the other priority intervention for this patient? -
ANSWER --Administering epinephrine as early as possible
A patient has experienced return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after cardiac arrest. The
healthcare team is conducting a secondary assessment to determine the possible cause of the
patient's cardiac arrest. Before the arrest, the patient exhibited jugular venous distension,
cyanosis, apnea and hyperresonance on percussion. The patient was also difficult to ventilate
during the response. The team would most likely suspect which condition as the cause? -
ANSWER --Tension Pneumothorax
A patient with suspected stroke arrives at the emergency department. The patient is diagnosed
with acute ischemic stroke and is a candidate for fibrinolytic therapy. To achieve the best
, outcomes, this therapy should be initiated within what time frame? - ANSWER --Within 1
hour of patient's arrival.
Cardiac monitoring indicates that a patient has a ventricular tachyarrhythmia. The patient has a
pulse and is not showing any signs of hemodynamic compromise. A 12-lead ECG reveals an
irregular rhythm with QRS complexes greater than 0.12 second in duration. Which action would
be appropriate at this time? - ANSWER --Consider an antiarrhythmic medication
A responsive patient is choking. What method should the provider use first to clear the
obstructed airway? - ANSWER --Back blows
What is the priority intervention for a patient with a narrow-complex tachycardia (160 bpm) and
a blood pressure of 72/48 mmHg? - ANSWER --Perform immediate synchronized
cardioversion
For a patient with third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block and a blood pressure of 70/48 mmHg,
what interventions should be considered? - ANSWER ---Initiate a dopamine infusion
-Administer atropine
-Initiate transcutaneous pacing
A patient arrives at the emergency department complaining of shortness of breath. The patient
has a long history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Assessment reveals respiratory
failure. Which action would be the initial priority to address the respiratory failure? -
ANSWER --Assisted ventilation with BVM resuscitator
The ECG rhythm strip of a patient who arrived in the emergency department complaining of
dizziness, syncope and shortness of breath reveals sinus bradycardia. When reviewing the
patient's medication history, the healthcare provider identifies which agent(s) as a potential
cause of the patient's current condition? - ANSWER ---Verapamil
