TL;DR
Study cardiac arrest management protocols including CPR, defibrillation, and advanced resuscitation algorithms. These life-saving interventions are among the most critical and heavily tested topics.
Free ACLS Algorithms & Drugs Practice Questions
NREMT Paramedic Certification · Cardiology & Electrophysiology
This module covers ACLS Algorithms & Drugs as part of the Cardiology & Electrophysiology section, testing your understanding of core concepts and their practical application.
| Exam | NREMT Paramedic Certification |
| Pass Rate | 67% |
| Duration | 150 minutes |
| Module | ACLS Algorithms & Drugs |
Why ACLS Algorithms & Drugs matters
ACLS Algorithms & Drugs is one of the most tested areas because medication errors are among the most preventable causes of patient harm.
Sample Practice Questions (5)
1. A drowning victim is pulled from cold water (estimated submersion 20 minutes). The patient is in cardiac arrest with a core temperature of 28°C (82.4°F). How does hypothermia modify the standard ACLS algorithm?
- Limit to one defibrillation attempt and withhold medications until core temperature is above 30°C; focus on rewarming
- Follow the standard ACLS algorithm exactly as for normothermic patients
- Defibrillation is contraindicated in hypothermia; only perform CPR
- Administer double doses of all medications to account for slowed metabolism
2. A patient in PEA cardiac arrest has a heart rate of 40 bpm on the monitor, narrow QRS complexes, and no pulse. The patient was recently dialysis-dependent and missed their last two sessions. You suspect hyperkalemia. What is the MOST appropriate immediate treatment in addition to standard ACLS?
- Calcium chloride 1-2 g IV/IO to stabilize the myocardium, followed by sodium bicarbonate 50 mEq IV/IO
- Insulin 10 units IV with D50W to shift potassium intracellularly
- Albuterol 10-20 mg nebulized
- Kayexalate 30 g orally
3. A 28-year-old female in the third trimester of pregnancy goes into cardiac arrest (VF). In addition to standard ACLS, what unique intervention must be performed to improve the effectiveness of CPR?
- Left uterine displacement (manually push the uterus to the left or tilt the patient to relieve aortocaval compression)
- Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
- Reduce the defibrillation energy to protect the fetus
- Delay CPR until an emergency cesarean section can be performed
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- Mechanical causes (cardiac tamponade, tension pneumothorax, massive PE) preventing cardiac output despite electrical activity
- Profound hypovolemia causing an inability to generate any electrical activity
- Hyperkalemia causing wide-complex bradycardia
- Massive anterior STEMI causing ventricular tachycardia
5. A patient in cardiac arrest from suspected opioid overdose is found in VF. According to current guidelines, how should this arrest be managed differently from a standard VF arrest?
- Follow standard ACLS VF algorithm; naloxone alone is not sufficient to treat VF and standard resuscitation takes priority
- Administer naloxone 2 mg IV first, then begin CPR only if the patient does not respond
- Skip defibrillation and focus only on naloxone administration
- Administer naloxone instead of epinephrine in the VF algorithm
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