ACLS#1
Your patient has been unable to lay in a supine position because he experiences an increased level of difficulty breathing. What term describes this phenomenon?
Nocturnal paroxysmal dyspnea
Orthopnea
Eupnea
Apnea
You are treating a patient with a history of congestive heart failure who is complaining of chest pain. Upon auscultation of heart sounds, you note an extra sound that seems to occur late in diastole. What is the designation for this finding?
S1
S2
S3
S4
True or False. When the myocardial cells depolarize and the resulting electrical impulses are moving toward a positive electrode, the resulting deflection on the ECG will be positive.
True
False
Based on your understanding of Einthoven?s triangle, you know that the positive lead for lead II is:
On the right arm
On the left arm
On the right leg
On the left leg
You have just placed your patient on the ECG monitor. After assessing vital signs you turn your attention to the small screen that shows the ECG tracing. There is only one lead visible on the screen and based on common practice, would most likely be lead:
aVR
V-4
aVL
II
One small box measured horizontally on the ECG graph paper is equal to:
0.04 seconds
0.20 seconds
0.1 mV
10 mV
One large box measured horizontally on the ECG graph paper is equal to:
0.04 seconds
0.20 seconds
0.1 mV
10 mV
The first negative deflection occurring during the depolarization of the ventricles is known as the:
Q-wave
R-wave
S-wave
P-wave
The first positive deflection occurring during the depolarization of the atria is known as the:
Q-wave
R-wave
S-wave
P-wave
Atrial contraction occurs during the PR interval and cannot be measured by the ECG graph paper. What is the normal time span for the PR interval?
0.04 - 0.12
0.08 - 0.16
0.12 - 0.20
0.20 - 0.24
If you were measuring the PR interval using the boxes on the ECG graph paper, what would be the correct measurement for a normal interval?
3 - 5 large boxes, measure horizontally
3 - 5 small boxes, measured horizontally
3 - 5 large boxes, measured vertically
3 - 5 small boxes, measured vertically
The positive deflection of the complex that represents depolarization of the ventricles is known as the:
Q-wave
T-wave
S-wave
R-wave
Which of the following ECG tracings would represent the repolarization of the ventricles?
Q-wave
T-wave
S-wave
R-wave
If you have two corresponding positive deflections of the complex that represents ventricular depolarization, the second wave is called an:
R prime
S prime
T prime
P prime
The exact spot where the QRS meets the ST segment is known as the:
QRS junction
Osborne wave
J-point
U-wave
Which interval lasts from the onset of ventricular depolarization until the end of ventricular repolarization?
PR interval
ST interval
RR interval
QT interval
Which of the following can cause the ECG tracing to be obscured by the presence of artifacts?
Muscle tremor
60-cycle interference
Loose electrodes
All of the above
To determine the rate on the ECG you have counted all the QRS complexes that fall within a set timeframe and multiplied that number by 10. This is known as the:
6-second method
Triplicate method
R-R method
Rule of thumb method
The American Heart Association would assign which class for a medication that has no evidence of benefit?
Class I
Class IIa
Class IIb
Class III
The American Heart Association would assign which class for a medication supported by good research-based evidence?
Class I
Class IIa
Class IIb
Class III
Your patient is suffering from hypoxia secondary to a bacterial pneumonia. Sinus bradycardia which medication would be administered first for this patient given the following vital signs: B/P 88/60, Respiratory rate 28, and pulse oximetry of 96%.
Atropine 0.5 - 1.0 mg
Epinephrine 2 - 10 mcg/min
Adenosine 6 mg
Dopamine 5 - 20 mcg/kg/min
You administered the first line therapy for the patient, but it did not result in any significant changes. Assuming you gave the maximum dose, what would be the next indicated therapy?
Atropine 0.5 - 1.0 mg
Epinephrine 2 - 10 mcg/min
Cardizem 0.25 mg/kg
Dopamine 5 - 20 mcg/kg/min
You are treating a patient who is complaining of feeling, lightheaded as your partners are connecting the pulse oximetry you connect the ECG leads and recognize Ventricular tachycardia and you obtain the first set of vital signs for the patient and find that the patient is Hypotensive, Diaphoretic, with cool skin. She has an altered level of consciousness but responds to painful stimulus. Your first intervention based on the ECG recording and assessment findings is to:
Administer Lidocaine at 1 - 1.5 mg/kg
Administer adenosine at 6 mg
Administer Procainamide at 30 mg/min
Sedate then synchronized cardioversion at 100 joules
During the course of your assessment you obtain the following ECG tracing and interpret it to be: Sinus rhythm with PJCs
Based on your understanding of the previous ECG you advise your partner that:
The patient will likely need to have transcutaneous pacing
The rhythm generally does not need to be treated
The patient will likely need Cardizem
The patient will likely need synchronized cardioversion
You are assessing a 32 year-old male who is complaining of a fluttering sensation in the center of his chest. You obtain the following ECG and interpret it as: Atrial tachycardia You have determined that the patient in the previous question is stable enough for medication therapy with normal cardiac function. Which of the following therapies should be performed first?
Adenosine 6 mg rapid IVP
Amiodarone 150 mg infusion over 10 minutes
Verapamil 2.5 - 5 mg IVP
Valsalva maneuver
The therapy you selected from the prior choice was unsuccessful in terminating the Dysrhythmia. What treatment is indicated next if there has been no significant change in the patient?s hemodynamic status?
Adenosine 6 mg rapid IVP
Amiodarone 150 mg infusion over 10 minutes
Verapamil 2.5 - 5 mg IVP
Valsalva maneuver
In the absence of invasive hemodynamic monitoring, how can the medical professional determine poor ejection fraction or hemodynamic compromise?
By contacting the receiving facility
By evaluating the clinical signs and symptoms
The paramedic is unable to determine and thus must render supportive care only
By inserting a catheter into the internal jugular vein
You are called to a nursing home for a patient with an unknown Dysrhythmia. You arrive at the patient?s bedside and are presented with the following ECG. Your interpretation is: Atrial flutter if the patient were symptomatic with the previous ECG, what therapy would be indicated in the setting of a poor ejection fraction?
Verapamil 2.5 - 5 mg
Amiodarone 150 mg
Cardizem 0.25 mg/kg
Adenosine 6 mg
If you were treating a patient with Atrial fibrillation, what main concern do you have if it has been greater than 48 hours since its onset?
Cardiac toxicity
Embolization
The likelihood of an inferior myocardial infarction
The chance of an aortic aneurysm
You are treating a patient that has been complaining of substernal chest pain for the past two hours. He has had several prior episodes that went away with rest, but this event is more severe. The pain is described as aching, is an 8 on a 1-10 scale, and does not radiate. His vital signs are within normal limits. What treatments are appropriate?
Oxygen, Aspirin, Morphine, and Heparin
Oxygen, Aspirin, Nitroglycerin, and Dopamine
Oxygen, Nitroglycerin and Epinephrine
Oxygen, Aspirin, Nitroglycerin and Morphine
For the patient in the previous question, you obtained an ECG tracing and found the following rhythm. Sinus rhythm with couplet PVC?s what medication would be appropriate for treating the previous arrhythmia given the fact that they are occurring as a result of ischemia?
Atropine
Lidocaine
Morphine
Epinephrine
In the course of your treatment for the chest pain patient you place the electrodes to perform a 12-lead ECG. You note that there is ST elevation in leads II, III, and a VF. There is inverted T-wave in leads V-2 through V-4. This is most consistent with:
Myocardial ischemia only
Anterior wall myocardial infarction
Inferior wall myocardial infarction
Lateral wall myocardial infarction
Use the following information for questions 45 - 50.
You arrive to find a 54 year-old female lying supine on her kitchen floor with no signs or history of trauma. The husband reports that she clutched her chest fell into his arms and were lowered to the ground by him. She does not appear to be moving.
How would you open her airway if you determined that she is unconscious?
Jaw thrust
Head-tilt chin-lift
Modified jaw thrust
Head-tilt neck-lift
You have determined that she is not breathing, which prompted you to provide positive pressure ventilations. Your partner advises that there is no carotid pulse. CPR is being performed and the fast patch combination pads are placed on her chest. You obtain the following ECG and interpret it as: Ventricular fibrillation - What is the first priority in treating a patient with this Dysrhythmia?
Immediate unsynchronized cardioversion
Immediate synchronized cardioversion
Administration of epinephrine
Administration of atropine
High quality CPR is being performed, an IV is established and the Pt is being Bag mask Ventilated the first appropriate medication has been administered via IV push. What is the next step?
Reassess, unsynchronized cardioversion if not a narrow QRS complex and 5 cycles of CPR
Reassess, administer Cordarone, and check pulses after
Reassess, administer sodium bicarbonate, and check pulses after
Reassess, administer atropine and check pulses after
You have converted the patient into a perfusing rhythm, but the patient remains hypotensive despite positioning and fluids. What drug is indicated to increase the patient?s blood pressure to an acceptable level?
Norvasc
Dopamine
Isuprel
Epinephrine
Which of the following treatable causes of pulseless electrical activity is paired correctly?
Pericardial Tamponade - needle decompression
Hypoxia - decrease tidal volumes
Hyperkalemia -bicarbonate administration
Acidosis - hypoventilation
An anterior hemi block is evidenced by:
Upright QRS complexes in leads I, II and aVF
Downward QRS complexes in leads I, II and aVF
Downward QRS complex in lead I, and upright in leads II and aVF
Upright QRS complex in lead I, and downward in leads II and aVF
Which ECG finding is consistent with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome?
Wide QRS complexes
The presence of Osborne waves
The presence of delta waves
Bradycardia
What is the most common cause of angina pectoris?
Coronary vasospasm
Coronary atherosclerosis
Coronary thrombosis
Coronary Embolization
The most common cause of death for patient?s suffering from an acute myocardial infarction is:
Dysrhythmia
Atherosclerosis
Myocardial tissue rupture
Pump failure
Which of the following conditions is an absolute contraindication for the administration of fibrinolytic?
70 year-old male
Chest pain for 8 hours
History of stroke 6 months ago
Blood pressure reading of 160/100
You are treating a patient with cardiogenic pulmonary edema. His blood pressure is 200/108, pulse rate is 118, and respirations are 36. You have administered oxygen at 15 liters/min via non-rebreather mask. What is the next appropriate therapy?
Dopamine
Lasix
Levophed
Aramine
What other medication may be administered to the patient in the prior question if the first therapy is unsuccessful?
Nitroglycerin
Dopamine
Calcium Channel Blocker
Atropine
Which of the following signs are associated with right ventricular failure?
Shortness of Breath
Pulmonary edema
Distended neck veins
Ascites
3 and 4
An aneurysm often results from long-standing hypertension. If it is located in the abdominal area, it?s most common location is:
Superior to the celiac artery
Inferior to the renal arteries
At the bifurcation of the iliac arteries
In the arch of the aorta
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