Free ACLS Practice Test Question and Answers

Question 1

The QRS complex on an ECG stands for the following.

Accepted Answer

Ventricular contraction

Answer

On an electrocardiogram (ECG), the QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization, which is the electrical activation of the ventricles. This electrical event immediately precedes and initiates ventricular contraction (systole), the mechanical pumping action that ejects blood from the heart. The P wave represents atrial contraction, and the T wave represents ventricular relaxation.

Question 2

What is the BLS Chain of Survival's appropriate order?

Accepted Answer

Check responsiveness, call EMS and get AED, chest compressions, and early defibrillation

Answer

The American Heart Association's (AHA) BLS Chain of Survival for adults emphasizes early recognition and activation of the emergency response system, followed by immediate high-quality chest compressions, and rapid defibrillation. The correct sequence is: Check responsiveness, call EMS and get AED, initiate chest compressions, and perform early defibrillation. This prioritizes rapid assessment and intervention for cardiac arrest.

Question 3

If a known alcoholic collapses and is discovered to be experiencing torsades de pointes, what course of action would you follow to address the underlying problem?

Accepted Answer

Administer magnesium sulfate 1 to 2 gm IV diluted in 10 mL D5W to correct low magnesium.

Answer

Torsades de Pointes (TdP) is a polymorphic ventricular tachycardia often associated with a prolonged QT interval, and hypomagnesemia is a common underlying cause, especially in chronic alcoholics. Magnesium sulfate is the first-line treatment for TdP, regardless of serum magnesium levels, as it helps stabilize cardiac cell membranes and shorten the QT interval, thereby correcting the arrhythmia.

Question 4

What would you do if you were transferring someone who had suffered a cardiac arrest and it was unable to get them an IV?

Accepted Answer

Obtain intraosseous access

Answer

In a cardiac arrest situation where intravenous (IV) access cannot be rapidly established, intraosseous (IO) access is the preferred alternative for administering medications and fluids. IO access provides a non-collapsible route into the bone marrow, allowing for rapid absorption of drugs directly into the systemic circulation. This makes it a critical intervention when peripheral IV access is difficult or impossible, ensuring timely drug delivery.

Question 5

What would you do if a 79-year-old man was in SVT, had a blood pressure of 80/50, complained of chest pain, and wanted to pass out?

Accepted Answer

Synchronized cardioversion

Answer

A patient in SVT with signs of instability (hypotension, chest pain, altered mental status) requires immediate intervention. Synchronized cardioversion is the definitive treatment for unstable supraventricular tachycardia because it delivers a controlled electrical shock synchronized with the R wave, effectively resetting the heart's electrical activity and restoring a normal rhythm. Medications or vagal maneuvers are typically reserved for stable arrhythmias.