CPR Post-Cardiac Arrest Care 3

Question 1

Which organ system is most vulnerable to ischemia-reperfusion injury following cardiac arrest and ROSC?

Accepted Answer

Brain

Answer

The brain is exquisitely sensitive to ischemia-reperfusion injury due to its high metabolic demand and limited glycogen stores.

Question 2

What ventilator setting change should be made if a post-arrest patient's PaCO2 is 30 mmHg?

Accepted Answer

Decrease respiratory rate or tidal volume to raise PaCO2

Answer

Hypocarbia causes cerebral vasoconstriction; the target PaCO2 is 35–45 mmHg, so ventilation must be reduced to correct hypocapnia.

Question 3

In a comatose post-cardiac arrest patient, pupillary light reflex absence at 72 hours after normothermia is considered a predictor of what outcome?

Accepted Answer

Poor neurological outcome

Answer

Bilateral absence of pupillary light reflexes at ≥72 hours post-arrest is a reliable prognostic marker of poor neurological outcome per AHA guidelines.

Question 4

Which medication class is used to suppress shivering during targeted temperature management without causing significant hemodynamic depression?

Accepted Answer

Magnesium sulfate

Answer

Magnesium sulfate raises the shivering threshold and is commonly used as a first-line anti-shivering agent with minimal cardiovascular effects.

Question 5

A ROSC patient has a blood glucose of 220 mg/dL. What is the AHA-recommended management approach?

Accepted Answer

Treat hyperglycemia but avoid hypoglycemia; target 144–180 mg/dL

Answer

Current guidelines recommend treating hyperglycemia to a target of 144–180 mg/dL while carefully avoiding hypoglycemia, which is equally harmful.

(CPR) Certified Paramedic Response Practice Test

(CPR) Certified Paramedic Response Practice Test

CPR Post-Cardiac Arrest Care 3