ACLS Principles Flashcard 9
Rationale
C. Rationale: Team members should only perform tasks appropriate to their education and level of competence.
Question
Team members should:
a. Wait until after the resuscitation to notify a team member who gave the wrong dose of a drug
b. Perform any task assigned to them
c. Perform clearly defined tasks appropriate to their level of competence
d. Not question the decisions of the team leader
Answer
c. Perform clearly defined tasks appropriate to their level of competence
Rationale
B. Rationale: The “plan-do-check-act” is a tool for continuous quality improvement where institutions optimize team, equipment, and processes to achieve key performance indices, especially in resuscitation. Team members identify a problem that has to be resolved, plan the next step toward improving the problem, practice and evaluate these new processes, and look for other potential problems. This cycle continues until the issue has been solved.
Question
The “plan-do-check-act” intervention aims to achieve which one of the following institutional programs?
a. Developing community systems of care
b. Continuous quality improvement
c. Acquiring other health centers
d. Building new facilities
Answer
b. Continuous quality improvement
Rationale
B. Rationale: The case assumes that the basic BLS survey has been completed, including delivery of the first shock with an AED. Rhythm analysis and shock administration with an AED may result in prolonged interruption of chest compressions, so a manual defibrillator is preferred. The ACLS Cardiac Arrest Algorithm is based on a case of a patient with refractory VF or pulseless VT.
Question
The ACLS Cardiac Arrest algorithm is based on a case:
a. Involving the assessment and treatment of a patient with PEA
b. Assuming that healthcare providers have delivered the first shock with an AED
c. Recommending rhythm analysis and shock with an AED
d. All of the above
Answer
b. Assuming that healthcare providers have delivered the first shock with an AED
Rationale
D. Rationale: The lay rescuer should begin CPR if cardiac arrest is suspected. The risk of harm from CPR to a person without cardiac arrest is low. The risk is higher for NOT beginning CPR when a person is in cardiac arrest.
Question
The AHA and ILCOR recommendation about lay-rescuer initiation of CPR is:
a. The lay rescuer should not begin CPR unless they are trained.
b. The lay rescuer should not begin CPR until they establish that the person is pulseless.
c. Only rescue breathing should be performed if the rescuer is not certain that CPR is required.
d. The lay rescuer should begin CPR if cardiac arrest is suspected.
Answer
d. The lay rescuer should begin CPR if cardiac arrest is suspected.
Rationale
A. Rationale: AEDs are placed strategically in areas of mass gatherings where cardiac arrests are most likely to happen and provide defibrillation for cardiac arrest patients. When appropriately given, rapid defibrillation increases survival rates in cardiac arrest patients.
Question
The best reason for placing AEDs in public spaces is:
a. Rapid defibrillation increases survival rates
b. AEDs give instructions to lay rescuers on how to perform CPR
c. AEDs alert EMS to the scene
d. For the rapid recognition and intervention of cardiac arrest
Answer
a. Rapid defibrillation increases survival rates
Rationale
C. Rationale: Recommendations instruct to tap the patient’s shoulder and ask loudly, “Are you okay?” rather than performing other actions that may cause injury or unpleasantness to the patient.
Question
The best way to assess patient responsiveness in a patient with suspected cardiac arrest is to:
a. Perform a nipple pinch
b. Perform a chest rub
c. Tap the patient’s shoulders and ask, “Are you OK?”
d. Slap the patient’s cheek
Answer
c. Tap the patient’s shoulders and ask, “Are you OK?”
Rationale
B. Rationale: The cardiac arrest algorithm has a primary emphasis on CPR and defibrillation.
Question
The cardiac arrest algorithm consists of:
a. One pathway
b. Two pathways
c. Primary airway emphasis
d. Emphasis on early advanced airway
Answer
b. Two pathways
Rationale
A. Rationale: The algorithm consists of two pathways, which diverge when the determination is made that the rhythm is shockable. If it is not, the right side of the algorithm describes the appropriate actions to perform.
Question
The Cardiac Arrest algorithm:
a. Outlines all assessment and management steps for a patient who does not initially respond to BLS interventions
b. Consists of three pathways
c. On the right side outlines the sequence of actions to perform if the rhythm is VF
d. On the left side outlines the sequence of actions to perform if the rhythm is nonshockable
Answer
a. Outlines all assessment and management steps for a patient who does not initially respond to BLS interventions
Rationale
False. Rationale: PEA is not an indication for defibrillation.
Question
The first step in the PEA algorithm is defibrillation.
a. True
b. False
Answer
b. False
Rationale
A. Rationale: An upward deflection of the P wave represents atrial depolarization. The deflection of atrial repolarization emits a very low signal that is usually not recorded on the ECG. The QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization. The ST segment represents stage 2 of ventricular repolarization, and the T wave represents stage 3 of ventricular repolarization.
Question
The P wave represents what stage in the cardiac cycle?
a. Atrial depolarization
b. Ventricular depolarization
c. Ventricular repolarization
d. Atrial repolarization
Answer
a. Atrial depolarization