ACLS ACLS Cardiac Rhythm Recognition

Question 1

On the cardiac monitor, which rhythm shows chaotic, irregular waveforms with no discernible P waves or QRS complexes?

Accepted Answer

Ventricular fibrillation (VF)

Answer

Ventricular fibrillation produces chaotic, disorganized electrical activity with no identifiable P waves, QRS complexes, or T waves.

Question 2

Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) is defined as:

Accepted Answer

Any organized electrical rhythm on the monitor without a palpable pulse

Answer

PEA is the presence of organized cardiac electrical activity (other than VF/VT) without a corresponding palpable pulse or effective cardiac output.

Question 3

Which of the following rhythms is NOT a shockable rhythm in the ACLS cardiac arrest algorithm?

Accepted Answer

Asystole

Answer

Asystole (flat line) is a non-shockable rhythm; defibrillation has no benefit when there is no electrical activity to be organized.

Question 4

A wide-complex tachycardia at 180 bpm in a patient without a pulse should be treated as:

Accepted Answer

Pulseless ventricular tachycardia — defibrillate immediately

Answer

Pulseless VT is a shockable cardiac arrest rhythm; immediate unsynchronized defibrillation (not synchronized cardioversion) is the treatment.

Question 5

On a 12-lead ECG, ST elevation in leads II, III, and aVF with reciprocal changes in leads I and aVL most likely indicates:

Accepted Answer

Inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)

Answer

ST elevation in the inferior leads (II, III, aVF) with reciprocal depression in lateral leads indicates an inferior STEMI, typically from right coronary artery occlusion.

ACLS Practice Test

ACLS Practice Test

ACLS ACLS Cardiac Rhythm Recognition