ADVANCED CARDIOVASCULAR LIFE
SUPPORT QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS 100% CORRECT!!!
Question: According to research, by what percentage does the risk of mortality
increase for every minute a patient remains in a rhythm like VT, asystole, or PEA?
Answer: 7-10%. This underscores the critical importance of rapid intervention and
minimizing time without circulation. ✔️✔️
Question: High-quality CPR is performed to maintain artificial blood flow to
which two vital organs? Answer: The heart and brain. These organs are the most
sensitive to oxygen deprivation and are prioritized during resuscitation. ✔️✔️
Question: What are the four primary types of cardiac arrest rhythms managed in
ACLS protocols? Answer: VT (Ventricular Tachycardia), PVT (Pulseless
Ventricular Tachycardia), PEA (Pulseless Electrical Activity), and Asystole.
✔️✔️
Question: How is Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) clinically defined on an ECG?
Answer: A wide QRS tachycardia featuring three or more consecutive
premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). The heart rate typically ranges
between 100 and 200 BPM. ✔️✔️
VT can lead to what? -ANSWER ✔️✔️Ventricular fibrillation, systole, or cardiac
arrest
Causes of VT -ANSWER ✔️✔️- Ischemia
- Drug toxicity (digoxin)
- Electrolyte abnormalities
- Heart disease
, What is sustained VT? -ANSWER ✔️✔️- Lasts for > 30 seconds
- Symptomatic
- Can progress to life threatening incident
What is unsustained VT? -ANSWER ✔️✔️- Brief and self-limited
- Asymptomatic
How can V fib lead to death? -ANSWER ✔️✔️No electric activity in the heart -> no
cardiac output -> cardiac arrest -> death
What is V fib caused by? -ANSWER ✔️✔️- Scar tissue: MI or cardiomyopathy
- Irritants: CAD, electrolyte abnormalities, hormones
- Electrocution
Tx for V-fib -ANSWER ✔️✔️- ACLS
- Correct underlying cause
- ICD
What is PEA and asystole? -ANSWER ✔️✔️Absence of detectable pulse and the
presence of some other form of electrical activity other than VT or PVT
Tx for PEA/asystole -ANSWER ✔️✔️CPR -> airway control -> IV access ->
reconfirm asystole with a second lead -> do NOT defibrillate patient with asystole
because the parasympathetic discharge that occurs with defibrillation reduces the
change of ROSC and worsens outcomes
SUPPORT QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS 100% CORRECT!!!
Question: According to research, by what percentage does the risk of mortality
increase for every minute a patient remains in a rhythm like VT, asystole, or PEA?
Answer: 7-10%. This underscores the critical importance of rapid intervention and
minimizing time without circulation. ✔️✔️
Question: High-quality CPR is performed to maintain artificial blood flow to
which two vital organs? Answer: The heart and brain. These organs are the most
sensitive to oxygen deprivation and are prioritized during resuscitation. ✔️✔️
Question: What are the four primary types of cardiac arrest rhythms managed in
ACLS protocols? Answer: VT (Ventricular Tachycardia), PVT (Pulseless
Ventricular Tachycardia), PEA (Pulseless Electrical Activity), and Asystole.
✔️✔️
Question: How is Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) clinically defined on an ECG?
Answer: A wide QRS tachycardia featuring three or more consecutive
premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). The heart rate typically ranges
between 100 and 200 BPM. ✔️✔️
VT can lead to what? -ANSWER ✔️✔️Ventricular fibrillation, systole, or cardiac
arrest
Causes of VT -ANSWER ✔️✔️- Ischemia
- Drug toxicity (digoxin)
- Electrolyte abnormalities
- Heart disease
, What is sustained VT? -ANSWER ✔️✔️- Lasts for > 30 seconds
- Symptomatic
- Can progress to life threatening incident
What is unsustained VT? -ANSWER ✔️✔️- Brief and self-limited
- Asymptomatic
How can V fib lead to death? -ANSWER ✔️✔️No electric activity in the heart -> no
cardiac output -> cardiac arrest -> death
What is V fib caused by? -ANSWER ✔️✔️- Scar tissue: MI or cardiomyopathy
- Irritants: CAD, electrolyte abnormalities, hormones
- Electrocution
Tx for V-fib -ANSWER ✔️✔️- ACLS
- Correct underlying cause
- ICD
What is PEA and asystole? -ANSWER ✔️✔️Absence of detectable pulse and the
presence of some other form of electrical activity other than VT or PVT
Tx for PEA/asystole -ANSWER ✔️✔️CPR -> airway control -> IV access ->
reconfirm asystole with a second lead -> do NOT defibrillate patient with asystole
because the parasympathetic discharge that occurs with defibrillation reduces the
change of ROSC and worsens outcomes
