ACLS Certification Exam
The definition of stable tachycardia is a fast but constant heart rate between 80 and 120 beats per minute. a. True b. False
Answer: False
Fibrinolytic therapy within three hours (in some cases 4.5 hours) of first onset of symptoms is the standard when treating ischemic stroke. a. True b. False
Answer: True
This is an example of which type of heart rhythm? a. Ventricular flutter b. Asystole c. Pulseless electrical activity d. Atrial fibrillation
b. Asystole
This is an example of what type of heart rhythm? a. Atrial fibrillation b. Asystole c. Normal sinus rhythm d. Ventricular fibrillation
c. Normal sinus rhythm
When using a monophasic defibrillator, how many joules should be delivered per shock? a. 360 J b. 150 J c. 300 J d. 200 J
a. 360 J
Which of the following would be appropriate actions following transcutaneous pacing? a. Consult a specialist. b. Administer amiodarone. c. Confirm ET tube placement with quantitative waveform capnography. d. Follow VT/VF algorithm
a. Consult a specialist.
After performing CPR for two minutes on an individual in asystole, what is the ACLS trained provider's next intervention? a. IV or IO access for epinephrine administration b. IV or IO access for atropine administration c. Advanced airway insertion d. AED shock administration
a. IV or IO access for epinephrine administration
All of the following are considered classic symptoms of an acute stroke EXCEPT: a. Jaw pain b. Headache c. Numbness d. All of the above are symptoms
a. Jaw pain
Critical in-hospital goals of stroke care include a neurological assessment by the stroke team and a CT scan performed within ________ of hospital arrival. a. 10 minutes b. 25 minutes c. 60 minutes d. 45 minutes
b. 25 minutes
Indications for transcutaneous pacing (TCP) include all of the following EXCEPT: a. Bradycardia with symptomatic ventricular escape rhythms b. Asystole c. Hemodynamically unstable bradycardia d. Unstable third-degree AV block
b. asystole
Acute strokes are a result of: a. Blockage of an artery in the heart b. Blockage of an artery in the brain c. Rupture of an artery in the brain d. Either B or C
d. Either B or C
Any bradycardia less than 60 beats per minute is a pathologic event. a. True b. False
Answer: False
Fibrinolytic therapy is the treatment of choice for hemorrhagic stroke. a. True b. False
Answer: False
If transcutaneous pacing fails, there are no other options to consider. a. True b. False
Answer: False
Symptomatic bradycardia and poor perfusion may degrade into cardiac arrest. a. True b. False
Answer: True
Ventricular fibrillation can be a life-threatening complication of ACS. a. True b. False
Answer: True
Synchronized cardioversion is appropriate for treating an unknown wide complex tachycardia. a. True b. False
Answer: True The treatment for all unstable tachycardic rhythms is synchronized cardioversion. Like defibrillation, synchronized cardioversion delivers a shock across the chest, either by placing a pair of manual paddles on the chest or through the application of adhesive "hands-free" pads
In an individual with ventricular fibrillation (VF), what should occur immediately following a shock? a. Resume CPR. b. Give epinephrine. c. Analyze rhythm. d. Check pulse.
a. Resume CPR.
In a bradycardic individual who is symptomatic and does not respond to atropine, the next treatment to consider is: a. Transcutaneous pacing b. Analgesics c. Amiodarone d. Sedatives
a. Transcutaneous pacing
The cardiac arrest rhythm associated with NO discernible electrical activity on the ECG is termed as _________? a. Ventricular tachycardia b. Asystole c. Bradycardia d. Pulseless electrical activity
b. Asystole
All of the following are found within the 8 D's of Stroke Care EXCEPT: a. Delivery b. Debilitation c. Detection d. Decision
b. Debilitation
All of the following are goals of resuscitation EXCEPT: a. Obtain normal sinus rhythm. b. Decrease glucose level. c. Adequate perfusion. d. Maintain blood pressure.
b. Decrease glucose level.
Which of the following is the primary treatment in management of ventricular fibrillation? a. Carotid massage b. Defibrillation c. Sedatives d. All of the above
b. Defibrillation
What does the BLS Survey want you to assess which of the following? a. Responsiveness, Breathing, Cardiac Assessment, Drugs b. Responsiveness, Activate EMS and get an AED, Circulation, Defibrillation c. Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Defibrillation d. Airway, Blood Pressure, CPR, Differential Diagnosis
b. Responsiveness, Activate EMS and get an AED, Circulation, Defibrillation
What does the PR interval on an ECG reflect? a. Opening of mitral valve between the left atrium and left ventricle b. Time between atrial and ventricular contraction c. T wave inversion d. Width of septum
b. Time between atrial and ventricular contraction
In the absence of immediately reversible causes, what is the first-line drug given for symptomatic bradycardia? a. Albuterol b. Atropine c. Metoprolol d. Nitroglycerine
b. atropine
All of the following statements regarding asystole are correct EXCEPT: a. Asystolic rhythms can result in severe myocardial ischemia. b. A pulse will not be present in an asystolic individual. c. All heart tissue immediately dies when an individual enters asystole. d. Vital organs can be permanently damaged.
c. All heart tissue immediately dies when an individual enters asystole.
Common causes of PEA include all of the following EXCEPT: a. Hypoxia b. Hypothermia c. Hyperventilation d. Hyperkalemia
c. Hyperventilation
Early access to medical care, from EMS through reperfusion, improves overall outcomes by: a. Increased access to social support services b. Delaying onset of hypothermia c. Saving more heart tissue from cell death d. Faster access to medications that increase blood clotting
c. Saving more heart tissue from cell death
The normal sinus rhythm of the heart starts in the: a. Purkinje system b. Right ventricle c. Sinoatrial node d. Atrioventricular node
c. Sinoatrial node
Where does sinus tachycardia originate? a. Purkinje system b. Septum wall c. Sinoatrial node d. Atrioventricular node
c. Sinoatrial node
Which of the following may be essential to maintain an individual's open airway? a. O2 administration b. Rescue breaths c. Suctioning d. Chest thrusts
c. Suctioning
Which of the following can be considered a bradycardic rhythm? a. Ventricular fibrillation b. Ventricular tachycardia c. Third degree AV block d. Both A and B
c. Third degree AV block
The compression-to-ventilation ratio during CPR for an adult prior to placement of an advanced airway is: a. 20:01 b. 30:01:00 c. 15:02 d. 30:02:00
d. 30:02:00
Individuals experiencing a suspected ACS should be transported to: a. An appropriate center for triage b. A facility with trauma care c. A center that has a dedicated stroke team d. A facility that performs PCI
d. A facility that performs PCI
Signs of unstable tachycardia may include all of the following EXCEPT: a. Ischemic chest discomfort b. Acute heart failure c. Hypotension d. Abdominal tenderness
d. Abdominal tenderness
ACLS recommends minimizing interruption of chest compressions for which of the following: a. Ventilation b. Rhythm checks c. Shock delivery d. All of the above
d. All of the above
Signs and symptoms of a stroke may include: a. Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg b. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes c. Dizziness or loss of balance or coordination d. All of the above
d. All of the above
Which of the following side effects may be expected during amiodarone infusion? a. Hypotension b. Bradycardia c. Gastrointestinal toxicity d. All of the above
d. All of the above
Which rhythm can be defined as unstable tachycardia? a. Atrial fibrillation b. Atrial flutter c. Supraventricular tachycardia d. All of the above
d. All of the above
Cardioversion should not be delayed if: a. The individual suddenly deteriorates b. Tachycardia is causing the instability c. The individual becomes pulseless d. Both A and B
d. Both A and B
Which of the following can represent a correct treatment choice for an individual in asystole? a. Synchronized shock with an AED b. Epinephrine c. Vasopressin d. Both B and C
d. Both B and C
For an adult in respiratory arrest with a pulse, how often should they be ventilated? a. Give one breath every 3 to 4 seconds, or 15 to 20 breaths per minute. b. Give one breath every 8 to 9 seconds, or 6 to 8 breaths per minute. c. Give two breaths every 8 to 9 seconds, or 13 to 15 breaths per minute. d. Give one breath every 5 to 6 seconds, or 10 to 12 breaths per minute.
d. Give one breath every 5 to 6 seconds, or 10 to 12 breaths per minute.
You are alone when you encounter an individual in cardiac arrest. They are not breathing, have no pulse, and have no suspected cervical spine trauma. Which maneuver should you use to open the airway? a. Blind finger-sweeps b. Head-tilt only c. Jaw-thrust maneuver d. Head-tilt-chin-lift maneuver
d. Head-tilt-chin-lift maneuver
Symptoms suggestive of ACS may include all of the following EXCEPT: a. Unexplained shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort b. Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, sweating, or nausea c. Uncomfortable pressure in the center of the chest d. Headache and blurry vision
d. Headache and blurry vision
For confirming and monitoring placement of the ET tube, the 2020 ACLS guidelines suggest which method? a. Blood pressure monitoring b. Pulse oximetry c. Glucose check d. Quantitative waveform capnography
d. Quantitative waveform capnography
Blood or secretions in the mouth or upper respiratory tract may threaten the airway. How can they be removed? a. Bag-mask ventilation b. Laryngeal tube c. None of the above d. Suctioning
d. Suctioning
Which wave represents repolarization of the ventricles? a. P wave b. PR interval c. QRS complex d. T wave
d. T wave
Which of the following is a correct statement regarding sinus tachycardia? a. Sinus tachycardia only results from strenuous exercise or high stress situations. b. Sinus tachycardia should always be treated with shock therapy. c. Sinus tachycardia is a normal rhythm and never considered dangerous. d. The goal of treatment is to identify and correct the underlying cause.
d. The goal of treatment is to identify and correct the underlying cause.
This is an example of which type of heart rhythm? a. Atrial flutter b. Atrial fibrillation c. Pulseless electrical activity d. Ventricular fibrillation
d. Ventricular fibrillation
