Question 1

Automatic defibrillation is NOT appropriate in most cases of infant cardiac arrest due to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Ventricular fibrillation is not the primary cause of cardiac arrest in pediatric patients. The most common cause of pediatric cardiac arrest is a lack of oxygen or inadequate blood flow to the heart, which cannot be treated with defibrillation. Therefore, automatic defibrillation is not appropriate in most cases of infant cardiac arrest.

Question 2

Mechanical CPR devices are used by EMS agencies in order to provide ________.

Accepted Answer

Mechanical CPR devices are designed to provide high-quality compressions during resuscitation efforts, as they can consistently deliver compressions at the correct depth, rate, and duration. They can be used to support or replace manual CPR, but they do not guarantee a 100% success rate or faster response time to the scene, nor do they necessarily improve the efficiency of breaths.

Question 3

In which of the following ways does cardiac arrest in children differ from cardiac arrest in adults?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac arrest in children is more likely to be due to respiratory failure, while in adults it is more commonly due to a cardiac cause such as a heart attack or arrhythmia. Ventricular fibrillation can occur in both children and adults, but it is not more common in children.

Question 4

Which of the following patients should have an automated external defibrillator applied?

Accepted Answer

The 19-year-old athlete who has collapsed and is pulseless and apneic is suspected to have suffered a sudden cardiac arrest, which is a shockable rhythm requiring defibrillation. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are used to analyze the heart rhythm and deliver a shock to restore normal cardiac rhythm in patients who are experiencing cardiac arrest. AEDs are not useful in the other scenarios described.

Question 5

You are on the scene of a 65-year-old female patient in cardiac arrest.CPR is in progress and the AED has been applied.The AED advises shock.After defibrillating the patient,what is your next intervention?

Accepted Answer

After defibrillating the patient, the next intervention should be to continue CPR. It is important to maintain high-quality chest compressions and ventilations to support the patient's circulation and oxygenation. Checking for a pulse can be difficult during CPR, so it is not recommended to pause compressions to do so. Placing the patient in the recovery position or inserting a Combitube may be indicated later in the resuscitation process, but continuing CPR is the most critical intervention at this time.

Question 6

Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a continuous quality improvement program for AED?

Accepted Answer

The purpose of a continuous quality improvement program for AED is to improve patient outcomes in the community. It is focused on identifying ways to enhance the delivery of care, identifying gaps in patient care, and implementing solutions that improve patient outcomes. It is an ongoing process designed to improve the overall quality of care provided by the AED. Option A is incorrect because a CQI program is not focused on disciplinary actions but rather on identifying areas for improvement. Option B is incorrect because a CQI program does not eliminate the need for medical direction. Option C is incorrect because a CQI program is not a replacement for continuing education, but rather complements it.

Question 7

You are transporting a 50-year-old male patient whom you successfully defibrillated at the scene.You are 5 minutes away from the hospital when the patient goes back into cardiac arrest.Which of the following is the best course of action?

Accepted Answer

In the event of a cardiac arrest, especially while transporting a patient, it's crucial to immediately address the situation by stopping the vehicle. This allows for a safe environment to analyze the cardiac rhythm and deliver shocks as necessary, without the added risk of performing these actions while the vehicle is in motion. Safety and efficacy of care are paramount, and stopping the vehicle ensures both.

Question 8

You are the first on the scene of a 72-year-old patient in cardiac arrest.You have your medical supply kit,oxygen,and an AED.At least 4 to 5 minutes of high-quality CPR has been provided by the police officer who arrived before you.You have confirmed an open airway,apnea,and pulselessness.Which of the following should you do next?

Accepted Answer

The next step is to apply the defibrillator pads and shock as indicated. The patient is in cardiac arrest, and defibrillation is the most effective treatment for shockable rhythms like ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT). The AED will analyze the patient's rhythm and determine if a shock is indicated. The sooner defibrillation is performed, the better the chances of survival.

Question 9

You are on the scene of a 65-year-old female patient in cardiac arrest.CPR is in progress and the AED has been applied.The AED does not advise shock.What is your next intervention?

Accepted Answer

Continuing CPR is the best option as the AED has not advised shock. CPR should be continued until advanced medical personnel arrive or further interventions are advised. The other options are not appropriate in this scenario.

Question 10

Your patient is a 66-year-old female who has regained a pulse after a shock with an AED; however,she remains unresponsive and is not breathing adequately.Which of the following should be done next?

Accepted Answer

The patient is still unresponsive and not breathing adequately, so the next step should be to assist ventilations with a bag-valve-mask device and supplemental oxygen. It is important to continue monitoring the pulse and be prepared for the possibility of the patient going back into cardiac arrest. Delivering another shock would not address the patient's respiratory status, and removing the AED would remove the ability to monitor the patient's cardiac rhythm. Applying a nonrebreather mask would provide high-concentration oxygen, but would not address the need for assisted ventilations.

Quiz 18: Cardiac Emergencies