ACLS Basics 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is a 'T' in the ACLS H's and T's mnemonic for reversible causes of cardiac arrest?
- Thrombosis (pulmonary or coronary) (Correct answer)
- Tachycardia
- Tachypnea
- Thrombocytopenia
Correct answer: Thrombosis (pulmonary or coronary)
Thrombosis (pulmonary embolism or coronary occlusion) is one of the reversible T's to consider during cardiac arrest.
Question 2: During CPR, what is the recommended allowable chest recoil technique?
- Leaning slightly on the chest between compressions
- Allowing full chest recoil after each compression (Correct answer)
- Pressing harder to maintain hand contact at all times
- Pausing every 5 compressions for full recoil
Correct answer: Allowing full chest recoil after each compression
Full chest recoil after each compression allows the heart to refill with blood, improving cardiac output during CPR.
Question 3: What is the correct dose of epinephrine for a patient in pulseless ventricular fibrillation?
- 0.5 mg IV every 3–5 minutes
- 1 mg IV/IO every 3–5 minutes (Correct answer)
- 2 mg IV every 10 minutes
- 1 mg IV/IO every 1–2 minutes
Correct answer: 1 mg IV/IO every 3–5 minutes
Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO is administered every 3–5 minutes during cardiac arrest regardless of rhythm.
Question 4: Which of the following describes high-quality CPR in an adult?
- Compression depth of 1–1.5 inches at 80 compressions/min
- Compression depth of at least 2 inches at 100–120 compressions/min (Correct answer)
- Compression depth of 3 inches at 60 compressions/min
- Compression depth of 2.5 inches at 140 compressions/min
Correct answer: Compression depth of at least 2 inches at 100–120 compressions/min
High-quality adult CPR requires compressions at least 2 inches deep at a rate of 100–120 per minute with full chest recoil.
Question 5: Which condition is classified as an 'H' in the ACLS reversible causes mnemonic?
- Hypothermia (Correct answer)
- Hyperglycemia
- Hemoptysis
- Hematuria
Correct answer: Hypothermia
Hypothermia is one of the H's — severe hypothermia can mimic cardiac arrest and requires warming as a reversible treatment.
Question 6: A patient in cardiac arrest receives three rounds of CPR and defibrillation without ROSC. What antiarrhythmic should be considered next for ventricular fibrillation?
- Lidocaine 1.5 mg/kg
- Amiodarone 300 mg IV/IO (Correct answer)
- Magnesium sulfate 2 g IV
- Adenosine 6 mg IV
Correct answer: Amiodarone 300 mg IV/IO
Amiodarone 300 mg IV/IO is the first-line antiarrhythmic for shock-refractory VF/pulseless VT.
Question 7: What is the Chain of Survival's first link for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest?
- Early defibrillation
- Early recognition and activation of emergency response (Correct answer)
- High-quality CPR
- Advanced life support
Correct answer: Early recognition and activation of emergency response
Recognition of cardiac arrest and immediate activation of the emergency response system is the first link in the out-of-hospital Chain of Survival.
ACLS Basics 4
Which of the following is a 'T' in the ACLS H's and T's mnemonic for reversible causes of cardiac arrest?