Congratulations on completing FirstAidWeb’s ACLS Provider Certification Course! You’ve invested the time, effort, and commitment—now it’s time to secure your certification.
This exam isn’t meant to trick you. It’s designed to confirm your understanding of the material. Take a breath, get focused, and review the key details below before you begin.
Amiodarone is the first-line drug for treating ventricular fibrillation.
Incorrect. Epinephrine is given first in VF during cardiac arrest, followed by amiodarone as an antiarrhythmic after defibrillation attempts.
Correct. Epinephrine is given first in VF during cardiac arrest, followed by amiodarone as an antiarrhythmic after defibrillation attempts.
What is the recommended initial dose of amiodarone in cardiac arrest?
Incorrect. Amiodarone stabilizes the myocardium and is given as a bolus for refractory VF or pulseless VT.
Correct. Amiodarone stabilizes the myocardium and is given as a bolus for refractory VF or pulseless VT.
What is the next action after ROSC is achieved?
Incorrect. Post-ROSC care focuses on maintaining oxygenation and avoiding hypoxia or hyperoxia to protect organ function.
Correct. Post-ROSC care focuses on maintaining oxygenation and avoiding hypoxia or hyperoxia to protect organ function.
Waveform capnography is the preferred method to confirm endotracheal tube placement.
Incorrect. Waveform capnography provides real-time confirmation of ET tube placement and ensures proper ventilation.
Correct. Waveform capnography provides real-time confirmation of ET tube placement and ensures proper ventilation.
What is the proper position for chest compressions on an adult?
Incorrect. Placing hands on the lower half of the sternum ensures effective chest compressions without damaging other structures.
Correct. Placing hands on the lower half of the sternum ensures effective chest compressions without damaging other structures.
Synchronized cardioversion is indicated for unstable ventricular tachycardia with a pulse.
Incorrect. Synchronized cardioversion restores organized cardiac activity in unstable VT with a pulse, preventing progression to VF.
Correct. Synchronized cardioversion restores organized cardiac activity in unstable VT with a pulse, preventing progression to VF.
What is the first action when you see an unresponsive patient?
Incorrect. Shouting for help ensures additional resources and a defibrillator are quickly available.
Correct. Shouting for help ensures additional resources and a defibrillator are quickly available.
What is the target oxygen saturation during CPR?
Incorrect. Maintaining oxygen saturation within this range ensures adequate oxygenation without the risk of hyperoxia.
Correct. Maintaining oxygen saturation within this range ensures adequate oxygenation without the risk of hyperoxia.
The initial dose of epinephrine for cardiac arrest is 1 mg IV.
Incorrect. Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO is administered every 3-5 minutes during cardiac arrest to improve coronary and cerebral perfusion.
Correct. Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO is administered every 3-5 minutes during cardiac arrest to improve coronary and cerebral perfusion.
What is the best indicator of effective ventilation during CPR?
Incorrect. PETCO2 monitoring provides real-time feedback on ventilation and the effectiveness of chest compressions.
Correct. PETCO2 monitoring provides real-time feedback on ventilation and the effectiveness of chest compressions.
Defibrillation should be delayed until after administering epinephrine in ventricular fibrillation.
Incorrect. Defibrillation is the priority for VF and should not be delayed for drug administration, as it is the definitive treatment.
Correct. Defibrillation is the priority for VF and should not be delayed for drug administration, as it is the definitive treatment.
Continuous compressions should be provided during CPR with an advanced airway in place.
Incorrect. With an advanced airway, compressions continue uninterrupted while ventilation is provided at a rate of 10 breaths per minute.
Correct. With an advanced airway, compressions continue uninterrupted while ventilation is provided at a rate of 10 breaths per minute.
What is the recommended interval for ventilation during advanced airway CPR?
Incorrect. Ventilation with an advanced airway should be provided at a rate of 1 breath every 6 seconds, or 10 breaths per minute.
Correct. Ventilation with an advanced airway should be provided at a rate of 1 breath every 6 seconds, or 10 breaths per minute.
What is the recommended initial dose of epinephrine in anaphylaxis?
Incorrect. IM epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis, administered into the mid-thigh for rapid absorption.
Correct. IM epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis, administered into the mid-thigh for rapid absorption.
ROSC should be followed by immediate optimization of oxygenation and ventilation.
Incorrect. Post-ROSC care focuses on optimizing oxygenation, ventilation, and hemodynamic stability to prevent further organ damage.
Correct. Post-ROSC care focuses on optimizing oxygenation, ventilation, and hemodynamic stability to prevent further organ damage.
What is the appropriate rate of chest compressions for pediatric CPR?
Incorrect. A rate of 100-120 compressions per minute ensures adequate circulation in pediatric patients.
Correct. A rate of 100-120 compressions per minute ensures adequate circulation in pediatric patients.
What is the maximum time allowed for interruption of chest compressions?
Incorrect. Interruptions in chest compressions should not exceed 10 seconds to maintain adequate perfusion to vital organs.
Correct. Interruptions in chest compressions should not exceed 10 seconds to maintain adequate perfusion to vital organs.
What is the next step if VF persists after 2 defibrillation attempts?
Incorrect. If VF persists after defibrillation and epinephrine, amiodarone is administered to stabilize the rhythm.
Correct. If VF persists after defibrillation and epinephrine, amiodarone is administered to stabilize the rhythm.
What is the primary treatment for symptomatic bradycardia?
Incorrect. Atropine is the first-line drug for treating symptomatic bradycardia by increasing heart rate through vagal inhibition.
Correct. Atropine is the first-line drug for treating symptomatic bradycardia by increasing heart rate through vagal inhibition.
What is the recommended treatment for tension pneumothorax?
Incorrect. Needle decompression relieves pressure caused by tension pneumothorax, improving ventilation and circulation.
Correct. Needle decompression relieves pressure caused by tension pneumothorax, improving ventilation and circulation.
What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for pediatric CPR with two rescuers?
Incorrect. A 15:2 ratio is used during pediatric CPR with two rescuers to optimize ventilation and circulation.
Correct. A 15:2 ratio is used during pediatric CPR with two rescuers to optimize ventilation and circulation.
What is the dose of epinephrine for adult cardiac arrest?
Incorrect. Epinephrine at 1 mg IV every 3-5 minutes is used to enhance perfusion during cardiac arrest.
Correct. Epinephrine at 1 mg IV every 3-5 minutes is used to enhance perfusion during cardiac arrest.
ROSC is defined as the return of a detectable pulse and effective blood circulation.
Incorrect. ROSC signifies the resumption of spontaneous cardiac activity with effective circulation, improving patient survival.
Correct. ROSC signifies the resumption of spontaneous cardiac activity with effective circulation, improving patient survival.
How often should rhythm checks occur during ongoing CPR?
Incorrect. Rhythm checks are performed every 2 minutes to evaluate for shockable rhythms and assess the effectiveness of interventions.
Correct. Rhythm checks are performed every 2 minutes to evaluate for shockable rhythms and assess the effectiveness of interventions.
What is the most common cause of PEA?
Incorrect. Hypoxia is a reversible cause of PEA; it must be treated immediately with oxygenation and ventilation.
Correct. Hypoxia is a reversible cause of PEA; it must be treated immediately with oxygenation and ventilation.
The goal oxygen saturation during post-cardiac arrest care is 100%.
Incorrect. The target oxygen saturation is 92-96% to avoid hyperoxia, which can contribute to oxidative injury.
Correct. The target oxygen saturation is 92-96% to avoid hyperoxia, which can contribute to oxidative injury.
Epinephrine is administered every 5-10 minutes during cardiac arrest.
Incorrect. Epinephrine is administered every 3-5 minutes during cardiac arrest to maximize coronary and cerebral perfusion.
Correct. Epinephrine is administered every 3-5 minutes during cardiac arrest to maximize coronary and cerebral perfusion.
What rhythm requires immediate defibrillation?
Incorrect. VF is a shockable rhythm requiring immediate defibrillation to restore organized cardiac activity.
Correct. VF is a shockable rhythm requiring immediate defibrillation to restore organized cardiac activity.
Incorrect. VF is a shockable rhythm requiring immediate defibrillation to restore organized electrical activity.
Correct. VF is a shockable rhythm requiring immediate defibrillation to restore organized electrical activity.
How many rescuers are required for high-quality CPR with advanced airway management?
Incorrect. Two rescuers are needed to maintain high-quality CPR with an advanced airway: one for compressions and one for ventilation.
Correct. Two rescuers are needed to maintain high-quality CPR with an advanced airway: one for compressions and one for ventilation.
How soon should defibrillation be attempted in a witnessed VF arrest?
Incorrect. Early defibrillation within 30 seconds of a witnessed VF arrest increases survival rates significantly.
Correct. Early defibrillation within 30 seconds of a witnessed VF arrest increases survival rates significantly.
Which rhythm is not shockable?
Incorrect. Asystole is a non-shockable rhythm requiring high-quality CPR and epinephrine administration.
Correct. Asystole is a non-shockable rhythm requiring high-quality CPR and epinephrine administration.
ROSC stands for Return of Circulation Success.
Incorrect. ROSC stands for "Return of Spontaneous Circulation," indicating the resumption of a perfusing rhythm.
Correct. ROSC stands for "Return of Spontaneous Circulation," indicating the resumption of a perfusing rhythm.
What is the appropriate treatment for VF in cardiac arrest?
Incorrect. VF is a shockable rhythm, and defibrillation is the most effective intervention to restore a normal rhythm.
Correct. VF is a shockable rhythm, and defibrillation is the most effective intervention to restore a normal rhythm.
Hypothermia is one of the "H's" in the reversible causes of cardiac arrest.
Incorrect. Hypothermia is a reversible cause of cardiac arrest and is treated by warming the patient to improve outcomes.
Correct. Hypothermia is a reversible cause of cardiac arrest and is treated by warming the patient to improve outcomes.
Which drug can increase the heart rate in symptomatic bradycardia?
Incorrect. Atropine blocks vagal stimulation, increasing heart rate in cases of symptomatic bradycardia.
Correct. Atropine blocks vagal stimulation, increasing heart rate in cases of symptomatic bradycardia.
A jaw-thrust maneuver is preferred over a head tilt-chin lift for trauma patients.
Incorrect. The jaw-thrust avoids neck movement, making it the preferred airway technique for patients with suspected cervical spine injuries.
Correct. The jaw-thrust avoids neck movement, making it the preferred airway technique for patients with suspected cervical spine injuries.
What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for pediatric CPR with one rescuer?
Incorrect. A single rescuer performs 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths to maximize perfusion and oxygenation in pediatric CPR.
Correct. A single rescuer performs 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths to maximize perfusion and oxygenation in pediatric CPR.
What is the recommended ventilation rate during CPR for adults with an advanced airway?
Incorrect. Delivering 6-8 breaths per minute minimizes interruptions in chest compressions and prevents hyperventilation.
Correct. Delivering 6-8 breaths per minute minimizes interruptions in chest compressions and prevents hyperventilation.
What is the most reliable indicator of effective chest compressions?
Incorrect. PETCO2 values greater than 10 mmHg during CPR indicate adequate chest compressions and blood circulation.
Correct. PETCO2 values greater than 10 mmHg during CPR indicate adequate chest compressions and blood circulation.
ROSC should be followed by immediate reassessment of the patient’s rhythm and ventilation.
Incorrect. Following ROSC, immediate reassessment ensures stability of the patient’s rhythm, oxygenation, and ventilation.
Correct. Following ROSC, immediate reassessment ensures stability of the patient’s rhythm, oxygenation, and ventilation.
What is the recommended rate of chest compressions per minute?
Incorrect. Optimal for maintaining adequate circulation without risking poor perfusion due to excessive speed.
Correct. Optimal for maintaining adequate circulation without risking poor perfusion due to excessive speed.
Adenosine is the drug of choice for pulseless electrical activity (PEA).
Incorrect. PEA is not treated with adenosine; it is managed with CPR, epinephrine, and identifying and treating reversible causes.
Correct. PEA is not treated with adenosine; it is managed with CPR, epinephrine, and identifying and treating reversible causes.
Which rhythm is non-shockable during cardiac arrest?
Incorrect. PEA is treated with CPR and epinephrine, as defibrillation is ineffective for non-shockable rhythms.
Correct. PEA is treated with CPR and epinephrine, as defibrillation is ineffective for non-shockable rhythms.
What is the primary intervention for symptomatic bradycardia?
Incorrect. Atropine is the first-line treatment for symptomatic bradycardia, increasing the heart rate by blocking vagal stimulation.
Correct. Atropine is the first-line treatment for symptomatic bradycardia, increasing the heart rate by blocking vagal stimulation.
How should you treat VF if it persists after 3 shocks?
Incorrect. Epinephrine is given to improve perfusion pressure and increase the chance of ROSC in persistent VF.
Correct. Epinephrine is given to improve perfusion pressure and increase the chance of ROSC in persistent VF.
The correct dose of epinephrine for pediatric cardiac arrest is 1 mg/kg IV/IO.
Incorrect. The correct dose of epinephrine for pediatric cardiac arrest is 0.01 mg/kg IV/IO, not 1 mg/kg.
Correct. The correct dose of epinephrine for pediatric cardiac arrest is 0.01 mg/kg IV/IO, not 1 mg/kg.
The recommended compression depth for adult CPR is 2-2.4 inches.
Incorrect. Compressing to a depth of 2-2.4 inches ensures adequate circulation without causing damage to internal organs.
Correct. Compressing to a depth of 2-2.4 inches ensures adequate circulation without causing damage to internal organs.
What is the drug of choice for wide-complex tachycardia in stable patients?
Incorrect. Amiodarone is the preferred antiarrhythmic for stabilizing wide-complex tachycardia in stable patients.
Correct. Amiodarone is the preferred antiarrhythmic for stabilizing wide-complex tachycardia in stable patients.
How should you assess effective CPR in real-time?
Incorrect. PETCO2 monitoring provides continuous feedback on the quality of chest compressions and the effectiveness of resuscitation.
Correct. PETCO2 monitoring provides continuous feedback on the quality of chest compressions and the effectiveness of resuscitation.
What is the shockable rhythm in cardiac arrest?
Incorrect. Requires immediate defibrillation to restore organized cardiac activity.
Correct. Requires immediate defibrillation to restore organized cardiac activity.
Naloxone should be administered to all cardiac arrest patients.
Incorrect. Naloxone is only used in cases of suspected opioid overdose and is not universally administered in cardiac arrest.
Correct. Naloxone is only used in cases of suspected opioid overdose and is not universally administered in cardiac arrest.
What is the proper treatment for pulseless ventricular tachycardia?
Incorrect. Defibrillation is the primary treatment for pulseless VT, aiming to restore organized cardiac activity.
Correct. Defibrillation is the primary treatment for pulseless VT, aiming to restore organized cardiac activity.
What is the recommended action for a choking infant who becomes unresponsive?
Incorrect. Chest compressions are performed to dislodge the obstruction and restore effective ventilation in an unresponsive infant.
Correct. Chest compressions are performed to dislodge the obstruction and restore effective ventilation in an unresponsive infant.
The initial dose of amiodarone for refractory VF is 300 mg IV/IO.
Incorrect. Amiodarone 300 mg IV/IO is administered after defibrillation and epinephrine to treat refractory VF or pulseless VT.
Correct. Amiodarone 300 mg IV/IO is administered after defibrillation and epinephrine to treat refractory VF or pulseless VT.
What is the initial dose of adenosine for pediatric SVT?
Incorrect. Adenosine is administered as a 0.1 mg/kg rapid IV push for pediatric SVT, followed by a saline flush.
Correct. Adenosine is administered as a 0.1 mg/kg rapid IV push for pediatric SVT, followed by a saline flush.
What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for adult CPR without an advanced airway?
Incorrect. A 30:2 ratio ensures adequate oxygenation and circulation when no advanced airway is present.
Correct. A 30:2 ratio ensures adequate oxygenation and circulation when no advanced airway is present.
How many cycles of CPR should be completed before reassessing the rhythm?
Incorrect. Two minutes of CPR (about 5 cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths) should be completed before checking the rhythm.
Correct. Two minutes of CPR (about 5 cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths) should be completed before checking the rhythm.
What is the primary focus during the first few minutes of ROSC?
Incorrect. Adequate oxygenation and ventilation are critical to preventing hypoxia or hyperoxia after ROSC.
Correct. Adequate oxygenation and ventilation are critical to preventing hypoxia or hyperoxia after ROSC.
Asystole is a non-shockable rhythm in ACLS.
Incorrect. Asystole is a non-shockable rhythm requiring immediate CPR and epinephrine administration.
Correct. Asystole is a non-shockable rhythm requiring immediate CPR and epinephrine administration.
What is the recommended dose of dopamine infusion for bradycardia?
Incorrect. Dopamine is used when atropine is ineffective, improving heart rate and contractility by stimulating beta receptors.
Correct. Dopamine is used when atropine is ineffective, improving heart rate and contractility by stimulating beta receptors.
Ventricular fibrillation is considered a shockable rhythm.
Incorrect. VF is a shockable rhythm requiring immediate defibrillation to restore an organized cardiac rhythm.
Correct. VF is a shockable rhythm requiring immediate defibrillation to restore an organized cardiac rhythm.
What is the first-line drug for narrow-complex SVT?
Incorrect. Adenosine is used to terminate reentrant arrhythmias in narrow-complex SVT by slowing conduction through the AV node.
Correct. Adenosine is used to terminate reentrant arrhythmias in narrow-complex SVT by slowing conduction through the AV node.
What is the correct ventilation rate for CPR with an advanced airway?
Incorrect. Providing 6-8 breaths per minute ensures adequate oxygenation and ventilation without interfering with chest compressions.
Correct. Providing 6-8 breaths per minute ensures adequate oxygenation and ventilation without interfering with chest compressions.
The correct energy setting for synchronized cardioversion of atrial fibrillation is 120-200 J.
Incorrect. Atrial fibrillation is cardioverted starting at 120-200 J in synchronized mode to avoid delivering the shock during ventricular repolarization.
Correct. Atrial fibrillation is cardioverted starting at 120-200 J in synchronized mode to avoid delivering the shock during ventricular repolarization.
