DC Dysrhythmia Emergency Response & Intervention 2

Question 1

A patient in pulseless ventricular tachycardia is unresponsive. What is the correct immediate action?

Accepted Answer

Initiate CPR and defibrillate with 200J biphasic

Answer

Pulseless VT is treated as cardiac arrest — begin CPR and deliver unsynchronized defibrillation immediately.

Question 2

During resuscitation of a patient in ventricular fibrillation, which drug is given after the second failed defibrillation attempt?

Accepted Answer

Amiodarone 300 mg IV bolus

Answer

ACLS guidelines recommend amiodarone 300 mg IV bolus after the second shock in refractory VF/pulseless VT.

Question 3

A patient with symptomatic third-degree heart block has a heart rate of 28 bpm and is hypotensive. What is the priority intervention?

Accepted Answer

Transcutaneous pacing

Answer

Transcutaneous pacing is the priority bridge intervention for hemodynamically unstable complete heart block.

Question 4

Which ECG finding indicates that a synchronized cardioversion attempt should NOT proceed as planned?

Accepted Answer

No sync marker is visible on the R-wave

Answer

If the defibrillator is not detecting and marking R-waves, the sync mode must be confirmed before delivering the shock.

Question 5

A patient develops torsades de pointes with a pulse and intermittent hypotension. What is the initial pharmacologic intervention?

Accepted Answer

IV magnesium sulfate 2 g over 15 minutes

Answer

Magnesium sulfate 1–2 g IV is the treatment of choice for torsades de pointes to stabilize cardiac membrane potential.

(DC) Dysrhythmia Certification Practice Test