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Tachycardia and Bradycardia Algorithms Flashcards

7 cards from real ACLS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Tachycardia and Bradycardia Algorithms flashcards as text
  1. A patient has sinus bradycardia at 48 bpm but is awake, alert, with BP 118/76 and no symptoms. What is the correct ACLS management?

    Answer: Observation — no treatment required

    Asymptomatic bradycardia without hemodynamic compromise does not require intervention in the ACLS algorithm.

  2. Which of the following is a Class III indication (harmful) for adenosine in tachycardia management?

    Answer: Irregular wide-complex tachycardia consistent with pre-excited AF

    Adenosine is potentially harmful in irregular wide-complex tachycardia (pre-excited AF/WPW) because it can precipitate ventricular fibrillation.

  3. What synchronized cardioversion energy is recommended for unstable monomorphic VT in ACLS?

    Answer: 100 J

    Unstable monomorphic VT is cardioverted starting at 100 J with biphasic energy per ACLS guidelines.

  4. A patient with narrow-complex tachycardia receives adenosine 6 mg without effect. What is the next step?

    Answer: Administer adenosine 12 mg IV rapid push

    If the initial 6 mg dose of adenosine fails, the next dose is 12 mg IV given as a rapid push, which may be repeated once.

  5. Which of the following statements about transcutaneous pacing (TCP) is correct?

    Answer: TCP should be used while awaiting transvenous pacing for unstable bradycardia

    TCP is a temporizing measure for unstable bradycardia while definitive transvenous pacing is arranged.

  6. In the ACLS tachycardia algorithm, which condition requires treatment regardless of symptoms due to inherent risk?

    Answer: Ventricular tachycardia at 200 bpm even if stable

    Ventricular tachycardia at high rates carries risk of deterioration to VF and warrants prompt treatment even in stable patients.

  7. A provider is managing a patient with tachycardia and suspects the rhythm is AF with aberrant conduction vs. VT. The patient is stable. What is the safest pharmacological approach?

    Answer: Procainamide, which is effective for both SVT with aberrancy and VT

    Procainamide is effective for both SVT with aberrancy and VT, making it a safe choice when the diagnosis is uncertain in a stable patient.