ACLS Practice Test: Video 1 Answers (25 Questions)

Question 1

When eligible stroke patients are treated with fibrinolytics, the following objectives are pursued:

Accepted Answer

Within 1 hour of arrival to the ED

Answer

For eligible acute ischemic stroke patients, the objective for administering intravenous fibrinolytics (thrombolytics) is within 1 hour of arrival to the emergency department (door-to-needle time). This rapid treatment is critical to dissolve the clot and restore blood flow to the brain, thereby minimizing neurological damage and improving patient outcomes.

Question 2

Following a cardiac arrest, hypotension is not treated with:

Accepted Answer

IV calcium infusion

Answer

Following a cardiac arrest, hypotension is typically treated with intravenous fluids (such as Ringer’s lactate or normal saline) and vasopressor infusions like dopamine or epinephrine to support blood pressure and organ perfusion. Intravenous calcium infusion is not a standard treatment for post-cardiac arrest hypotension, although it may be used in specific circumstances like hyperkalemia or calcium channel blocker overdose.

Question 3

A post-cardiac arrest patient is being prepared for targeted temperature management. Which complication should be closely monitored?

Accepted Answer

Coagulopathy and shivering

Answer

TTM can cause coagulopathy, shivering (which raises temperature and metabolic demand), bradycardia, and electrolyte shifts requiring monitoring.

Question 4

The best method for treating narrow-complex supraventricular tachycardia is:

Accepted Answer

Adenosine

Answer

Adenosine is the first-line pharmacologic treatment for stable narrow-complex supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) that does not respond to vagal maneuvers. It works by transiently blocking AV nodal conduction, which often terminates the re-entrant pathway responsible for SVT. Its rapid onset and short duration of action make it ideal for this condition.

Question 5

A patient develops torsades de pointes. Which treatment is specifically indicated for this arrhythmia?

Accepted Answer

Magnesium sulfate 1–2 g IV

Answer

Magnesium sulfate is the treatment of choice for torsades de pointes, which is often associated with hypomagnesemia or QT prolongation.