CPR Post-Cardiac Arrest Care 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended target SpO2 range during post-cardiac arrest care to avoid hyperoxia?
- 94–99% (Correct answer)
- 100%
- 88–92%
- 90–93%
Correct answer: 94–99%
Titrating oxygen to maintain SpO2 between 94–99% avoids both hypoxia and the harmful effects of hyperoxia on reperfused brain tissue.
Question 2: During targeted temperature management (TTM), which physiological effect of cooling must be actively managed?
- Shivering (Correct answer)
- Bradypnea
- Hyperthermia
- Hypertension
Correct answer: Shivering
Shivering counteracts cooling efforts and must be suppressed with sedation, neuromuscular blockade, or magnesium sulfate.
Question 3: A post-arrest patient develops a MAP of 58 mmHg despite 2L of IV fluid. What is the next best intervention?
- Start vasopressor therapy (Correct answer)
- Give additional fluid bolus
- Administer sodium bicarbonate
- Increase ventilator rate
Correct answer: Start vasopressor therapy
When fluid resuscitation fails to achieve MAP ≥65 mmHg, vasopressors such as norepinephrine should be initiated.
Question 4: Which ECG finding in a ROSC patient is the strongest indication for emergent coronary angiography?
- ST-segment elevation in two contiguous leads (Correct answer)
- Sinus tachycardia with PVCs
- First-degree AV block
- Right bundle branch block alone
Correct answer: ST-segment elevation in two contiguous leads
ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) pattern is a class I indication for immediate percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after ROSC.
Question 5: What is the primary reason arterial line placement is recommended in post-cardiac arrest patients?
- Continuous, beat-to-beat blood pressure monitoring (Correct answer)
- Central venous pressure measurement
- Rapid fluid administration
- Easier blood draws for glucose monitoring only
Correct answer: Continuous, beat-to-beat blood pressure monitoring
Arterial lines provide real-time blood pressure monitoring essential for titrating vasopressors and detecting hemodynamic instability after ROSC.
Question 6: Which electrolyte abnormality is most commonly associated with post-resuscitation arrhythmias and should be corrected promptly?
- Hypokalemia (Correct answer)
- Hypernatremia
- Hypercalcemia
- Hypermagnesemia
Correct answer: Hypokalemia
Hypokalemia lowers the threshold for ventricular arrhythmias and should be corrected to maintain serum potassium ≥4.0 mEq/L post-arrest.
Question 7: A post-arrest patient's end-tidal CO2 suddenly drops from 35 to 10 mmHg without a ventilator change. What does this most likely indicate?
- Re-arrest or severe drop in cardiac output (Correct answer)
- Hyperventilation by the ventilator
- Improvement in pulmonary perfusion
- Esophageal intubation confirmed
Correct answer: Re-arrest or severe drop in cardiac output
A sudden, dramatic fall in EtCO2 during the post-arrest period signals loss of cardiac output, indicating re-arrest or severe hemodynamic collapse.
CPR Post-Cardiac Arrest Care 2
What is the recommended target SpO2 range during post-cardiac arrest care to avoid hyperoxia?