ACLS - Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Post-Cardiac Arrest Care Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 58-year-old male has return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after a witnessed cardiac arrest.
He is intubated and remains unresponsive to verbal commands.
Which of the following is a primary goal for ventilation and oxygenation in the immediate post-cardiac arrest period?

Accepted Answer

Titrate FiO2 to maintain SpO2 between 92% and 98%.

Answer

Maintain SpO2 at 100% to maximize cerebral oxygen delivery.

Answer

Induce hypocapnia by hyperventilating the patient to a PaCO2 of 25-30 mmHg.

Answer

Set the ventilator to 20 breaths per minute to ensure adequate minute ventilation.

Question 2

Following ROSC, a patient is found to be hypotensive with a blood pressure of 80/50 mmHg. According to ACLS guidelines, what is the initial mean arterial pressure (MAP) target for hemodynamic support?

Accepted Answer

Greater than or equal to 65 mmHg

Answer

Greater than 80 mmHg

Answer

Less than 60 mmHg

Answer

Exactly 70 mmHg

Question 3

Which of the following is the most appropriate indication for initiating Targeted Temperature Management (TTM) in a patient who has achieved ROSC?

Accepted Answer

The patient is comatose and not following verbal commands.

Answer

The patient is awake and following commands but has a fever.

Answer

The patient had a cardiac arrest with an initial rhythm of asystole.

Answer

The patient has a history of neurological disease.

Question 4

A patient with ROSC after a VF arrest has a 12-lead ECG that shows ST-segment elevation. Which of the following interventions should be considered a high priority?

Accepted Answer

Immediate transport for coronary angiography

Answer

Administering a bolus of amiodarone

Answer

Obtaining a CT scan of the head

Answer

Starting a therapeutic hypothermia protocol at 30°C

Question 5

When managing a post-cardiac arrest patient who is comatose, what is the recommended target range for PaCO2 (partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood)?

Accepted Answer

35-45 mmHg

Answer

25-30 mmHg

Answer

30-35 mmHg

Answer

50-55 mmHg

Question 6

You are managing a patient post-ROSC who remains comatose. You have initiated targeted temperature management. Which of the following is a key component of continued management for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Continuous EEG monitoring to detect seizures.

Answer

Administering prophylactic antibiotics to all patients.

Answer

Routinely inducing a barbiturate coma.

Answer

Maintaining a blood glucose level above 200 mg/dL.