ACLS Principles Flashcard 14

B. Rationale: Return of spontaneous circulation is the goal of CPR. If this is achieved, the heart resumes a perfusing rhythm. A pulse is felt, and blood pressure is measured. Quantitative waveform capnography will demonstrate an increase in ETCO2 to 35–40 mm Hg. An ECG tracing demonstrating normal sinus rhythm may be possible in patients with cardiac arrest; this is known as pulseless electrical activity, a nonshockable cardiac arrest rhythm. The presence of lividity is a sign of irreversible death.

D. Rationale: Atrial fibrillation is not a cardiac arrest rhythm.

D. Rationale: The following are cardiac arrest rhythms: asystole, pulseless electrical activity, pulseless ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation.

D. Rationale: Cardiac arrest rhythms include asystole, pulseless electrical activity, pulseless ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. (ACLS Case: Cardiac Arrest)

C. Rationale: Ventilations are given at a ratio of 2 ventilations every 30 chest compressions. Excessive ventilations cause increased intrathoracic pressure, which reduces venous return to the heart, leading to poor cardiac output. Hyperventilation also causes cerebral vasoconstriction, which diminishes blood perfusion to the brain.

B. Rationale: A prerequisite for waveform capnography is that cardiac arrest patients must be intubated first with an ET tube or laryngeal mask.

B. Rationale: Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) is a cardiac arrest rhythm described as an organized sinus rhythm in the absence of any pulse. The most common cause of pulseless electrical activity is respiratory failure. After interventions to improve respiratory failure by enhancing oxygenation and ventilation are performed along with high-quality CPR, there is a chance that PEA will convert into a perfusing rhythm.

B. Rationale: As several randomized controlled trials failed to exhibit some benefit of applying transcutaneous pacing to cardiac arrest patients in asystole, and the AHA does not recommend such treatment.

A. Rationale: The ACLS course showcases 9 clinical conditions termed as cases in the ACLS provider manual. These clinical conditions include the following:
Respiratory arrest
Acute Coronary Syndromes
Acute Stroke
VF/pulseless VT
Asystole
Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)
Bradycardia
Tachycardia (Stable and Unstable)
Immediate Post-Cardiac Arrest Care

D. Rationale: There is no need for a rapid bolus injection when administering epinephrine. This procedure is necessary for adenosine administration due to its fast half-life.