ACLS ACLS Cardiac Rhythm Recognition

Question 1

On the cardiac monitor, which rhythm shows chaotic, irregular waveforms with no discernible P waves or QRS complexes?

Accepted Answer

Ventricular fibrillation (VF)

Answer

Asystole

Answer

Pulseless electrical activity (PEA)

Answer

Atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response

Question 2

Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) is defined as:

Accepted Answer

Any organized electrical rhythm on the monitor without a palpable pulse

Answer

Ventricular fibrillation without a palpable pulse

Answer

Asystole with occasional P waves

Answer

Atrial fibrillation with hemodynamic instability

Question 3

Which of the following rhythms is NOT a shockable rhythm in the ACLS cardiac arrest algorithm?

Accepted Answer

Asystole

Answer

Ventricular fibrillation

Answer

Pulseless ventricular tachycardia

Answer

Coarse ventricular fibrillation

Question 4

A wide-complex tachycardia at 180 bpm in a patient without a pulse should be treated as:

Accepted Answer

Pulseless ventricular tachycardia — defibrillate immediately

Answer

Supraventricular tachycardia — administer adenosine 6 mg IV

Answer

Atrial flutter — perform synchronized cardioversion

Answer

Sinus tachycardia — identify and treat the cause

Question 5

On a 12-lead ECG, ST elevation in leads II, III, and aVF with reciprocal changes in leads I and aVL most likely indicates:

Accepted Answer

Inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)

Answer

Anterior STEMI

Answer

Left bundle branch block

Answer

Benign early repolarization

Question 6

What does a delta wave on an ECG indicate?

Accepted Answer

Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome with ventricular pre-excitation

Answer

Complete heart block

Answer

Right bundle branch block

Answer

Hyperkalemia-induced conduction abnormality