BLS Post-Resuscitation Care 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended target SpO2 range during post-resuscitation care after ROSC?
- 100%
- 92–98% (Correct answer)
- 85–90%
- Above 99%
Correct answer: 92–98%
Titrate oxygen to maintain SpO2 of 92–98% to avoid hyperoxia, which can worsen neurological outcomes.
Question 2: Which blood glucose range is recommended during post-cardiac arrest care?
- 60–80 mg/dL
- 140–180 mg/dL (Correct answer)
- 200–250 mg/dL
- Below 60 mg/dL
Correct answer: 140–180 mg/dL
Glucose should be maintained between 140–180 mg/dL; both hypoglycemia and severe hyperglycemia worsen outcomes.
Question 3: After ROSC, a patient remains unresponsive. What is the recommended next step regarding temperature management?
- Actively rewarm to 39°C
- Prevent fever and maintain temperature ≤37.5°C (Correct answer)
- Induce hypothermia to 30°C immediately
- No temperature management is needed
Correct answer: Prevent fever and maintain temperature ≤37.5°C
Current guidelines recommend preventing fever (≥37.5°C) in comatose post-arrest patients rather than routine deep hypothermia.
Question 4: Which ECG finding after ROSC most strongly indicates the need for emergent cardiac catheterization?
- Sinus tachycardia
- ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (Correct answer)
- First-degree AV block
- Right bundle branch block
Correct answer: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
STEMI after ROSC warrants immediate coronary angiography regardless of neurological status, as the cause is likely coronary occlusion.
Question 5: What ventilator setting should be targeted for PaCO2 during post-resuscitation mechanical ventilation?
- 20–30 mmHg
- 35–45 mmHg (Correct answer)
- 50–60 mmHg
- Above 65 mmHg
Correct answer: 35–45 mmHg
Normocarbia (PaCO2 35–45 mmHg) is targeted to avoid cerebral vasoconstriction from hypocapnia or cerebral vasodilation from hypercapnia.
Question 6: Which organ system is the most common cause of death following initially successful resuscitation from cardiac arrest?
- Renal failure
- Hepatic failure
- Neurological injury (anoxic brain injury) (Correct answer)
- Pulmonary embolism
Correct answer: Neurological injury (anoxic brain injury)
Anoxic brain injury from the period of no-flow and reperfusion is the leading cause of death and disability after cardiac arrest.
Question 7: Which intervention should be performed routinely in all post-cardiac arrest patients after ROSC?
- CT head scan
- 12-lead ECG (Correct answer)
- Lumbar puncture
- Echocardiogram
Correct answer: 12-lead ECG
A 12-lead ECG should be obtained immediately after ROSC to identify STEMI and guide reperfusion therapy decisions.
BLS Post-Resuscitation Care 2
What is the recommended target SpO2 range during post-resuscitation care after ROSC?