ACLS ACLS Cardiac Rhythms and ECG Interpretation

Question 1

Which cardiac rhythm is characterized by no discernible P waves, a coarse irregular baseline, and no organized QRS complexes?

Accepted Answer

Ventricular fibrillation (VF)

Answer

Ventricular fibrillation presents as a chaotic, irregular waveform with no identifiable P waves or QRS complexes, indicating disorganized ventricular electrical activity.

Question 2

In ACLS, what is the treatment for pulseless electrical activity (PEA)?

Accepted Answer

CPR + epinephrine + identify and treat reversible causes (H's and T's)

Answer

PEA is treated with high-quality CPR, epinephrine every 3–5 minutes, and systematic search for reversible causes using the H's and T's framework.

Question 3

A patient has a wide-complex tachycardia at 180 bpm with no pulse. What is the correct ACLS intervention?

Accepted Answer

Unsynchronized defibrillation (shock)

Answer

Pulseless wide-complex tachycardia (presumed VT/VF) is treated with immediate unsynchronized defibrillation as part of the pulseless VT/VF algorithm.

Question 4

What does a 'tombstone' ST elevation pattern on ECG indicate in the context of ACLS?

Accepted Answer

ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)

Answer

Tombstone ST elevation — dramatic, dome-shaped ST elevation — is a pattern associated with massive STEMI requiring emergent reperfusion.

Question 5

Which rhythm on ECG shows regular narrow QRS complexes at 150 bpm with a 'sawtooth' baseline pattern?

Accepted Answer

Atrial flutter with 2:1 block

Answer

Atrial flutter classically presents with a sawtooth flutter wave baseline at ~300 bpm and a ventricular rate of 150 bpm in 2:1 conduction.

ACLS Practice Test

ACLS Practice Test

ACLS ACLS Cardiac Rhythms and ECG Interpretation