ACLS Post-Cardiac Arrest Care 3

Question 1

A comatose post-arrest patient has bilaterally absent N20 somatosensory evoked potentials at 72 hours. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

Poor neurological prognosis with high specificity for poor outcome

Answer

Bilaterally absent N20 cortical responses on SSEP at 72+ hours post-arrest is one of the most specific predictors of poor neurological outcome.

Question 2

Which vasopressor is considered first-line for refractory hypotension (MAP <65 mmHg) in post-cardiac arrest syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Norepinephrine

Answer

Norepinephrine is the preferred vasopressor for post-arrest hemodynamic support due to its alpha-adrenergic potency with less tachycardia than dopamine.

Question 3

Post-cardiac arrest syndrome includes all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Hyperglycemia exclusively from pre-existing diabetes

Answer

Post-cardiac arrest syndrome causes stress hyperglycemia in all patients regardless of diabetes history, so attributing it exclusively to pre-existing diabetes is incorrect.

Question 4

What is the significance of status epilepticus (SE) developing in a post-cardiac arrest patient?

Accepted Answer

It is associated with poor neurological outcome and requires aggressive treatment

Answer

Post-anoxic status epilepticus, particularly myoclonic SE, is strongly associated with poor neurological prognosis and requires prompt treatment.

Question 5

Targeted temperature management is currently recommended for which post-cardiac arrest population?

Accepted Answer

Comatose survivors of cardiac arrest regardless of initial rhythm

Answer

Current ACLS guidelines recommend TTM for all comatose adult survivors of cardiac arrest, regardless of presenting rhythm.

ACLS Practice Test

ACLS Practice Test

ACLS Post-Cardiac Arrest Care 3