ACLS FINAL EXAM 2025/2026 ACTUAL COMPLETE REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS ) ALREADY GRADED A+.
The following capnogram is from a patient experiencing
respiratory distress. At which point in the waveform would the
patient's ETCO2 level be measured? - ANSWER-The ETCO2
value is measured at the end of exhalation (point D), which
represents the peak level.
Cardiac monitoring of a patient in cardiac arrest reveals
ventricular fibrillation.
What intervention would the team perform next? - ANSWER-The
cardiac monitor is showing ventricular fibrillation, which is a
shockable rhythm; therefore, the treatment is to administer 1
shock and then resume CPR. Medications are a secondary
intervention. Advanced airway and capnography are delayed
until at least 2 shocks have been given.
The resuscitation team suspects that hyperkalemia is the cause
of cardiac arrest
in a patient brought to the emergency department. Which
finding on a 12-lead
,ECG would confirm this suspicion? - ANSWER-In hyperkalemia
the patient's 12-
lead ECG rhythm strip will show wide-complex ventricular
rhythm or tall, pointed
T
waves.
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-Prearrest signs of tension
pneumothorax in the advanced stage include jugular venous
distension, cyanosis, apnea and hyperresonance on percussion.
Difficulty ventilating the patient may also be a sign of tension
pneumothorax.
A patient in cardiac arrest experiences return of spontaneous
circulation. As part of post-cardiac arrest care, the patient is
receiving mechanical ventilation. Which finding(s) would
indicate the need for change in the ventilator settings to
optimize the patient's ventilation and oxygenation? - ANSWER-
, Mechanical ventilation should be started at a rate of 10 to 12
breaths per minute and adjusted as necessary to keep ETCO2
levels in the range of 35 to 40 mmHg and PaCO2 levels in the
range of 40 to 45 mmHg. The minimum fraction of inspired
oxygen necessary to maintain an SaO2 of at least 94% is used.
After cardiac arrest and successful resuscitation, the patient has
a return of spontaneous circulation. The patient is unable to
follow verbal commands and has a Glasgow Coma Scale score
of 7. Targeted temperature management is initiated. Which
method(s) would be appropriate for the resuscitation team to
use? - ANSWER-For targeted temperature management, various
methods of inducing hypothermia may be used, including
administering an ice-cold IV fluid bolus (30.0 mL/kg), using
endovascular catheters or applying surface cooling strategies
(e.g., cooling blankets, ice packs).
A 40-year-old patient in the waiting room of the primary care
provider's office approaches a staff member and says, "I'm
having really severe, crushing chest pain that is moving to both
my arms." The patient is diaphoretic and dyspneic. Which action
would be appropriate for the staff member to take? – ANSWER-
Early recognition of signs and symptoms along with activation
of the emergency medical services system is the first link in the
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS ) ALREADY GRADED A+.
The following capnogram is from a patient experiencing
respiratory distress. At which point in the waveform would the
patient's ETCO2 level be measured? - ANSWER-The ETCO2
value is measured at the end of exhalation (point D), which
represents the peak level.
Cardiac monitoring of a patient in cardiac arrest reveals
ventricular fibrillation.
What intervention would the team perform next? - ANSWER-The
cardiac monitor is showing ventricular fibrillation, which is a
shockable rhythm; therefore, the treatment is to administer 1
shock and then resume CPR. Medications are a secondary
intervention. Advanced airway and capnography are delayed
until at least 2 shocks have been given.
The resuscitation team suspects that hyperkalemia is the cause
of cardiac arrest
in a patient brought to the emergency department. Which
finding on a 12-lead
,ECG would confirm this suspicion? - ANSWER-In hyperkalemia
the patient's 12-
lead ECG rhythm strip will show wide-complex ventricular
rhythm or tall, pointed
T
waves.
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-Prearrest signs of tension
pneumothorax in the advanced stage include jugular venous
distension, cyanosis, apnea and hyperresonance on percussion.
Difficulty ventilating the patient may also be a sign of tension
pneumothorax.
A patient in cardiac arrest experiences return of spontaneous
circulation. As part of post-cardiac arrest care, the patient is
receiving mechanical ventilation. Which finding(s) would
indicate the need for change in the ventilator settings to
optimize the patient's ventilation and oxygenation? - ANSWER-
, Mechanical ventilation should be started at a rate of 10 to 12
breaths per minute and adjusted as necessary to keep ETCO2
levels in the range of 35 to 40 mmHg and PaCO2 levels in the
range of 40 to 45 mmHg. The minimum fraction of inspired
oxygen necessary to maintain an SaO2 of at least 94% is used.
After cardiac arrest and successful resuscitation, the patient has
a return of spontaneous circulation. The patient is unable to
follow verbal commands and has a Glasgow Coma Scale score
of 7. Targeted temperature management is initiated. Which
method(s) would be appropriate for the resuscitation team to
use? - ANSWER-For targeted temperature management, various
methods of inducing hypothermia may be used, including
administering an ice-cold IV fluid bolus (30.0 mL/kg), using
endovascular catheters or applying surface cooling strategies
(e.g., cooling blankets, ice packs).
A 40-year-old patient in the waiting room of the primary care
provider's office approaches a staff member and says, "I'm
having really severe, crushing chest pain that is moving to both
my arms." The patient is diaphoretic and dyspneic. Which action
would be appropriate for the staff member to take? – ANSWER-
Early recognition of signs and symptoms along with activation
of the emergency medical services system is the first link in the
