ADVANCED CARDIOVASCULAR LIFE
SUPPORT COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
2026 FULL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◍ thrombosis MI tx.
Answer: - anticoagulation- 90 min from door to PCI - CABG
◍ What is the primary mechanism of epinephrine in arrest?.
Answer: Alpha-1 vasoconstriction to improve coronary perfusion pressure.
◍ cardiac arrest in pregnancy algorithm.
Answer: - D/C mag- admin Ca+ chloride - emergency C-section if after 5
min of CPR, no ROSC
◍ adenosine IV dose for tachycardia.
Answer: - tx SVT- 1st dose: 6mg rapid IV push, follow w/ rapid NS flush-
2nd dose: 12mg if required
◍ adult post cardiac arrest care algorithm (ROSC).
Answer: - assess neuro status (seizures?) - manage temp (89.6 to 99.5 in a
min of 36hr)- assess airway (spO2 90-98%, PCO2 35-45%) - keep BP WNL
(MAP>65) - monitor CBG (70-180) - STAT 12-lead EKG if changes are
suspected- do they need PCI/CABG/Sx- transfer to ICU- Tx underlying
condition that caused cardiac arrest
◍ dopamine IV dose for bradycardia.
Answer: - 5-20mcg/kg/min- titrate to pt response & taper slowly
◍ Why should hyperventilation be avoided?.
Answer: Decreases venous return and coronary perfusion.
, ◍ Vasopressin + Methlyprednisolone.
Answer: - Vasopressin 20 international units IV plus methylprednisolone 40
mg IV in combination with the first dose of epinephrine.- Increase in return
of spontaneous circulation.
◍ shock/defib area on AED.
Answer: - pt with NO pulse- energy select- charge- shock (lightning
bolt...duh)
◍ Summary.
Answer: - Patients code should be confirmed.- Patient should have high
quality CPR including 100-120 compressions per minute at a depth of 2
inches with full chest recoil.- Treatment of cardiac arrest based on rhythm
and should follow the algorithm.- Treatment of reversible 5Hs and 5Ts.
◍ Reversing Underlying Causes - 5Hs & 5Ts.
Answer: - Hypovolemia- Hypoxia- Hydrogen (Acidosis)-
Hypokalemia/Hyperkalemia- Hypothermia- Tension Pneumothorax-
Tamponade Cardiac- Toxins- Thrombosis Coronary- Thrombosis
Pulmonary
◍ In which rhythms is epinephrine most beneficial?.
Answer: PEA and asystole.
◍ AED/monitor/defibrilator.
Answer: - begins and operates the AED- alternates w/ compressor- if a
monitor is present, position to where it can be seen by the team leader
◍ What is an alternative antiarrhythmic to amiodarone?.
Answer: Lidocaine.
◍ pace button on AED.
Answer: - pt with a SLOW pulse- pacer on- rate (normally 60-70) - current
(normally 40 milliamps) - pause (check carotid, femoral, pedal pulse to
ensure they are all equal, if unequal then ^5 milliamps at a time until they
are equal) - DONT touch the pt w/ electric current, that would be dumb-
used for NS brady, PEA, heart blocks, temporary stabilization (awaiting
SUPPORT COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
2026 FULL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◍ thrombosis MI tx.
Answer: - anticoagulation- 90 min from door to PCI - CABG
◍ What is the primary mechanism of epinephrine in arrest?.
Answer: Alpha-1 vasoconstriction to improve coronary perfusion pressure.
◍ cardiac arrest in pregnancy algorithm.
Answer: - D/C mag- admin Ca+ chloride - emergency C-section if after 5
min of CPR, no ROSC
◍ adenosine IV dose for tachycardia.
Answer: - tx SVT- 1st dose: 6mg rapid IV push, follow w/ rapid NS flush-
2nd dose: 12mg if required
◍ adult post cardiac arrest care algorithm (ROSC).
Answer: - assess neuro status (seizures?) - manage temp (89.6 to 99.5 in a
min of 36hr)- assess airway (spO2 90-98%, PCO2 35-45%) - keep BP WNL
(MAP>65) - monitor CBG (70-180) - STAT 12-lead EKG if changes are
suspected- do they need PCI/CABG/Sx- transfer to ICU- Tx underlying
condition that caused cardiac arrest
◍ dopamine IV dose for bradycardia.
Answer: - 5-20mcg/kg/min- titrate to pt response & taper slowly
◍ Why should hyperventilation be avoided?.
Answer: Decreases venous return and coronary perfusion.
, ◍ Vasopressin + Methlyprednisolone.
Answer: - Vasopressin 20 international units IV plus methylprednisolone 40
mg IV in combination with the first dose of epinephrine.- Increase in return
of spontaneous circulation.
◍ shock/defib area on AED.
Answer: - pt with NO pulse- energy select- charge- shock (lightning
bolt...duh)
◍ Summary.
Answer: - Patients code should be confirmed.- Patient should have high
quality CPR including 100-120 compressions per minute at a depth of 2
inches with full chest recoil.- Treatment of cardiac arrest based on rhythm
and should follow the algorithm.- Treatment of reversible 5Hs and 5Ts.
◍ Reversing Underlying Causes - 5Hs & 5Ts.
Answer: - Hypovolemia- Hypoxia- Hydrogen (Acidosis)-
Hypokalemia/Hyperkalemia- Hypothermia- Tension Pneumothorax-
Tamponade Cardiac- Toxins- Thrombosis Coronary- Thrombosis
Pulmonary
◍ In which rhythms is epinephrine most beneficial?.
Answer: PEA and asystole.
◍ AED/monitor/defibrilator.
Answer: - begins and operates the AED- alternates w/ compressor- if a
monitor is present, position to where it can be seen by the team leader
◍ What is an alternative antiarrhythmic to amiodarone?.
Answer: Lidocaine.
◍ pace button on AED.
Answer: - pt with a SLOW pulse- pacer on- rate (normally 60-70) - current
(normally 40 milliamps) - pause (check carotid, femoral, pedal pulse to
ensure they are all equal, if unequal then ^5 milliamps at a time until they
are equal) - DONT touch the pt w/ electric current, that would be dumb-
used for NS brady, PEA, heart blocks, temporary stabilization (awaiting
