ACLS Tachycardia and Bradycardia Algorithms 4

Question 1

A patient has a third-degree (complete) heart block with a ventricular rate of 35 bpm and BP of 70/40. What is the most appropriate immediate intervention?

Accepted Answer

Atropine 0.5 mg IV and prepare for transcutaneous pacing

Answer

Symptomatic complete heart block requires atropine as a temporizing measure while preparing for transcutaneous pacing.

Question 2

During treatment of stable monomorphic VT, amiodarone is selected. What is the correct dosing?

Accepted Answer

150 mg IV over 10 minutes, then 1 mg/min for 6 hours

Answer

For stable monomorphic VT, amiodarone is given as 150 mg IV over 10 minutes followed by a 1 mg/min maintenance infusion.

Question 3

Which of the following rhythms is most likely to be converted by vagal maneuvers?

Accepted Answer

AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT)

Answer

AVNRT depends on the AV node as part of its reentrant circuit and can be terminated by vagal maneuvers that slow AV conduction.

Question 4

A patient in unstable tachycardia is being prepared for synchronized cardioversion. The defibrillator is not synchronizing properly. What should the provider do?

Accepted Answer

Proceed with unsynchronized shock at maximum energy

Answer

If synchronization fails and the patient is critically unstable (near pulseless), proceed with an unsynchronized shock to prevent delay in treatment.

Question 5

Which finding on ECG is most consistent with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) rather than ventricular tachycardia?

Accepted Answer

Narrow QRS complex (< 120 ms)

Answer

A narrow QRS complex (< 120 ms) strongly suggests a supraventricular origin of the tachycardia.

ACLS Practice Test

ACLS Practice Test

ACLS Tachycardia and Bradycardia Algorithms 4