ACLS 2021 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
You find an unresponsive pt. who is not breathing. After activating the emergency response system,
you determine there is no pulse. What is your next action?
Correct Answers: Start chest compressions of at least 100 per min.
You are evaluating a 58 year old man with chest pain. The BP is 92/50 and a heart rate of 92/min,
non-labored respiratory rate is 14 breaths/min and the pulse O2 is 97%. What assessment step is
most important now?
Correct Answers: Obtaining a 12 lead ECG.
What is the preferred method of access for epi administration during cardiac arrest in most pts?
Correct Answers: Peripheral IV
An AED does not promptly analyze a rhythm. What is your next step?
Correct Answers: Begin chest compressions.
You have completed 2 min of CPR. The ECG monitor displays the lead below (PEA) and the pt. has
no pulse. You partner resumes chest compressions and an IV is in place. What management step is
your next priority?
Correct Answers: Administer 1mg of epinephrine
During a pause in CPR, you see a narrow complex rhythm on the monitor. The pt. has no pulse.
What is the next action?
Correct Answers: Resume compressions
What is a common but sometimes fatal mistake in cardiac arrest management?
Correct Answers: Prolonged interruptions in chest compressions.
Which action is a component of high-quality chest compressions?
Correct Answers: Allowing complete chest recoil
Which action increases the chance of successful conversion of ventricular fibrillation? Correct
Answers: Providing quality compressions immediately before a defibrillation attempt.
Which situation BEST describes PEA?
Correct Answers: Sinus rythm without a pulse
What is the best strategy for performing high-quality CPR on a pt. with an advanced airway in place?
Correct Answers: Provide continuous chest compressions without pauses and 10 ventilations per
minute.
3 min after witnessing a cardiac arrest, one member of your team inserts an ET tube while another
performs continuous chest compressions. During subsequent ventilation, you notice the presence of
a wave form on the capnography screen and a PETCO2 of 8 mm Hg. What is the significance of this
finding?
Correct Answers: Chest compressions may not be effective.
, The use of quantitative capnography in intubated pt's does what?
Correct Answers: Allows for monitoring CPR quality
For the past 25 min, EMS crews have attempted resuscitation of a pt who originally presented with V-
FIB. After the 1st shock, the ECG screen displayed asystole which has persisted despite 2 doses of
epi, a fluid bolus, and high quality CPR. What is your next treatment? Correct Answers: Consider
terminating resuscitate efforts after consulting medical control.
Which is a safe and effective practice within the defibrillation sequence?
Correct Answers: Be sure O2 is NOT blowing over the pt's chest during shock.
During your assessment, your pt suddenly loses consciousness. After calling for help and
determining that the pt. is not breathing, you are unsure whether the pt. has a pulse. What is your
next action?
Correct Answers: Begin chest compressions.
What is an advantage of using hands-free d-fib pads instead of d-fib paddles?
Correct Answers: Hands-free allows for more rapid d-fib.
What action is recommended to help minimize interruptions in chest compressions during CPR?
Correct Answers: Continue CPR while charging the defibrillator.
Which action is included in the BLS survey?
Correct Answers: Early defibrillation
Which drug and dose are recommended for the management of a pt. in refractory V-FIB?
Correct Answers: Amiodarone 300mg
What is the appropriate interval for an interruption in chest compressions?
Correct Answers: 10 seconds or less
Which of the following is a sign of effective CPR?
Correct Answers: PETCO2 = or > 10mm Hg
What is the primary purpose of a medical emergency team or rapid response team?
Correct Answers: Identifying and treating early clinical deterioration.
Which action improves the quality of chest compressions delivered during resuscitate attemepts?
Correct Answers: Shitch providers about every 2 min or every 5 compression cycles.
What is the appropriate ventilation strategy for an adult in respiratory arrest with a pulse of 80
beats/min? Correct Answers: 1 breath every 5-6 seconds
A pt. presents to the ER with a new onset of dizziness and fatugue. On examination, the pt's heart
rate is 35 beats/min, BP is 70/50, resp. rate is 22 per min, O2 sat is 95%. What is the appropriate 1st
medication?
Correct Answers: Atropine 0.5mg
You find an unresponsive pt. who is not breathing. After activating the emergency response system,
you determine there is no pulse. What is your next action?
Correct Answers: Start chest compressions of at least 100 per min.
You are evaluating a 58 year old man with chest pain. The BP is 92/50 and a heart rate of 92/min,
non-labored respiratory rate is 14 breaths/min and the pulse O2 is 97%. What assessment step is
most important now?
Correct Answers: Obtaining a 12 lead ECG.
What is the preferred method of access for epi administration during cardiac arrest in most pts?
Correct Answers: Peripheral IV
An AED does not promptly analyze a rhythm. What is your next step?
Correct Answers: Begin chest compressions.
You have completed 2 min of CPR. The ECG monitor displays the lead below (PEA) and the pt. has
no pulse. You partner resumes chest compressions and an IV is in place. What management step is
your next priority?
Correct Answers: Administer 1mg of epinephrine
During a pause in CPR, you see a narrow complex rhythm on the monitor. The pt. has no pulse.
What is the next action?
Correct Answers: Resume compressions
What is a common but sometimes fatal mistake in cardiac arrest management?
Correct Answers: Prolonged interruptions in chest compressions.
Which action is a component of high-quality chest compressions?
Correct Answers: Allowing complete chest recoil
Which action increases the chance of successful conversion of ventricular fibrillation? Correct
Answers: Providing quality compressions immediately before a defibrillation attempt.
Which situation BEST describes PEA?
Correct Answers: Sinus rythm without a pulse
What is the best strategy for performing high-quality CPR on a pt. with an advanced airway in place?
Correct Answers: Provide continuous chest compressions without pauses and 10 ventilations per
minute.
3 min after witnessing a cardiac arrest, one member of your team inserts an ET tube while another
performs continuous chest compressions. During subsequent ventilation, you notice the presence of
a wave form on the capnography screen and a PETCO2 of 8 mm Hg. What is the significance of this
finding?
Correct Answers: Chest compressions may not be effective.
, The use of quantitative capnography in intubated pt's does what?
Correct Answers: Allows for monitoring CPR quality
For the past 25 min, EMS crews have attempted resuscitation of a pt who originally presented with V-
FIB. After the 1st shock, the ECG screen displayed asystole which has persisted despite 2 doses of
epi, a fluid bolus, and high quality CPR. What is your next treatment? Correct Answers: Consider
terminating resuscitate efforts after consulting medical control.
Which is a safe and effective practice within the defibrillation sequence?
Correct Answers: Be sure O2 is NOT blowing over the pt's chest during shock.
During your assessment, your pt suddenly loses consciousness. After calling for help and
determining that the pt. is not breathing, you are unsure whether the pt. has a pulse. What is your
next action?
Correct Answers: Begin chest compressions.
What is an advantage of using hands-free d-fib pads instead of d-fib paddles?
Correct Answers: Hands-free allows for more rapid d-fib.
What action is recommended to help minimize interruptions in chest compressions during CPR?
Correct Answers: Continue CPR while charging the defibrillator.
Which action is included in the BLS survey?
Correct Answers: Early defibrillation
Which drug and dose are recommended for the management of a pt. in refractory V-FIB?
Correct Answers: Amiodarone 300mg
What is the appropriate interval for an interruption in chest compressions?
Correct Answers: 10 seconds or less
Which of the following is a sign of effective CPR?
Correct Answers: PETCO2 = or > 10mm Hg
What is the primary purpose of a medical emergency team or rapid response team?
Correct Answers: Identifying and treating early clinical deterioration.
Which action improves the quality of chest compressions delivered during resuscitate attemepts?
Correct Answers: Shitch providers about every 2 min or every 5 compression cycles.
What is the appropriate ventilation strategy for an adult in respiratory arrest with a pulse of 80
beats/min? Correct Answers: 1 breath every 5-6 seconds
A pt. presents to the ER with a new onset of dizziness and fatugue. On examination, the pt's heart
rate is 35 beats/min, BP is 70/50, resp. rate is 22 per min, O2 sat is 95%. What is the appropriate 1st
medication?
Correct Answers: Atropine 0.5mg
