Life support quiz – The Emergency Medicine Manual

This is a 15 question single best answer MCQ quiz on aspects of BLS and ALS.
Questions are taken from a bank so will be different each time the quiz is taken.

Report a question

What's wrong with this question?
You cannot submit an empty report. Please add some details.

0%

1 votes, 4 avg
23

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

Created on November 16, 2025 By Bob Dunn

Life support

BLS and ALS

1 / 15

1. Pulseless VT comprises approximately what percentage of shockable rhythms in out of hospital cardiac arrest in adults?

a) 2%

b) 10%

c) 30%

d) 20%

Pulseless VT comprises approximately 1-2% of shockable rhythms in out of hospital cardiac arrest in adults. So shockable rhythms are nearly all VF.

Pulseless VT comprises approximately 1-2% of shockable rhythms in out of hospital cardiac arrest in adults. So shockable rhythms are nearly all VF.

2 / 15

2. In paediatric cardiac arrest with a shockable rhythm the defibrillator energy setting is

a) 2J/kg

b) 1J/kg

c) 3J/kg

d) 4J/kg

In paediatric cardiac arrest with a shockable rhythm the defibrillator energy setting is 4J/Kg.

In paediatric cardiac arrest with a shockable rhythm the defibrillator energy setting is 4J/Kg.

3 / 15

3. In an adult patient with cardiac arrest, defibrillation pads should be placed

a) Basal posterior

b) Anterior posterior - with anterior being negative

c) Anterior posterior

d) Apical basal

In an adult patient with cardiac arrest, defibrillation pads should be placed apical basal. Anteroposterior placement would require interruption of CPR, which should be avoided.

In an adult patient with cardiac arrest, defibrillation pads should be placed apical basal. Anteroposterior placement would require interruption of CPR, which should be avoided.

4 / 15

4. Which of the following statements about a precordial thump are correct

a) it delivers about 70 J of energy

b) It is indicated in monitored VF

c) It is less effective in victims of high voltage electrocution

d) It is indicated in children

Precordial thump is only indicated in monitored VF as if applied to pulseless VT it could precipitate VF (although pVT is only 2% of shockable rhythms). It delivers about 10-20J of energy and appears to be more effective in victims of high voltage electrocution, making it useful in mass arrests due to lightning strike.

Precordial thump is only indicated in monitored VF as if applied to pulseless VT it could precipitate VF (although pVT is only 2% of shockable rhythms). It delivers about 10-20J of energy and appears to be more effective in victims of high voltage electrocution, making it useful in mass arrests due to lightning strike.

5 / 15

5. Regarding cardiac arrest in severe hypothermia which one of the following is incorrect:

a) Active core rewarming techniques should be used until body temperature exceeds 31 C before defibrillation should be attempted

b) The pulse should be felt for 30 seconds before deciding it is absent

c) Anti-arrhthymic drugs are usually ineffective in severe hypothermia

d) Oxygen consumption is much lower in the hypothermic patient and therefore may be able to survive a more prolonged arrest than a normothermic patient

Initial defibrillation should be attempted at any temperature, but if unsuccessful, active core rewarming techniques should be used until body temperature exceeds 30 degrees then recommence defibrillation as required.

Initial defibrillation should be attempted at any temperature, but if unsuccessful, active core rewarming techniques should be used until body temperature exceeds 30 degrees then recommence defibrillation as required

6 / 15

6. The appropriate rate of chest compressions in BLS in adults is

a) 120/min

b) 140/min

c) 80/min

d) 90/min

The appropriate rate of chest compressions in BLS in adults is 100-120/min with most people preferring around 120/min.

The appropriate rate of chest compressions in BLS in adults is 100-120/min with most people preferring around 120/min.

7 / 15

7. Regarding BLS in adults which one of the following statements is incorrect:

a) The correct location for cardiac compression is over the lower 1/2 of the sternum

b) Expired air contains approximately 4% carbon dioxide

c) Head tilt is contraindicated in suspected cervical spine injury

d) Initially 5 breaths should be given

2 breaths should be given initially. Old BLS guidelines advocated 5 initial breaths.

2 breaths should be given initially. Old BLS guidelines advocated 5 initial breaths.

8 / 15

8. In cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation in adults, which one of the following management sequences is preferred:

a) Commence CPR / apply monitor to determine rhythm / perform endotracheal intubation / defibrillate

b) Commence CPR / establish IV access / apply monitor to determine rhythm / defibrillate

c) Commence CPR / apply monitor to determine rhythm / defibrillate

d) Perform endotracheal intubation / commence CPR / apply monitor to determine rhythm / defibrillate

In cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation in adults the following sequence is preferred: Commence external cardiac massage / apply monitor to determine rhythm / defibrillate.

In cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation in adults the following sequence is preferred: Commence external cardiac massage / apply monitor to determine rhythm / defibrillate.

9 / 15

9. The actual correct management sequence of BLS in cardiac arrest is as follows

a) DRSCAB

b) SDRABC

c) DABRCS

d) DRSABC

The actual correct sequence is Danger Response Send for help Compressions Airway Breathing. The ‘S’ was added in 2011 but unfortunately the ‘ABC’ sequence was not changed in the acronym did not change from DRSABC as this was thought to be potentially confusing for people already familiar with the ‘ABC’ sequence.

The actual correct sequence is Danger Response Send for help Compressions Airway Breathing. The ‘S’ was added in 2011 but unfortunately the ‘ABC’ sequence was not changed in the acronym did not change from DRSABC as this was thought to be potentially confusing for people already familiar with the ‘ABC’ sequence.

10 / 15

10. Regarding cardiac arrest following poisoning which one of the following statements is incorrect:

a) HCO3 therapy may be indicated

b) Naloxone is an antidote for clonidine toxicity

c) Diazepam and adrenaline are antidotes for chloroquine toxicity

d) The prognosis for most patients with poisoning is worse than that of older patients with cardiogenic cardiac arrest

11 / 15

11. In adult cardiac arrest with a shockable rhythm adrenaline should first be given

a) 2 minutes after CPR has commenced

b) 4 minutes after CPR has commenced

c) 6 minutes after CPR has commenced

d) Immediately on recognition of cardiac arrest

In adult cardiac arrest with a shockable rhythm adrenaline should first be given 2 minutes after CPR has commenced.

In adult cardiac arrest with a shockable rhythm adrenaline should first be given 2 minutes after CPR has commenced.

12 / 15

12. Regarding cardiac arrest in pregnancy which one of the following is correct

a) Displacement of the uterus to the left should occur during (and after) CPR

b) The risk of pulmonary aspiration decreases with advancing gestational age

c) Chest compression should occur over the mid sternum to prevent damage to the fetus

d) A postmortem Caesarean section may be considered if the fetus has a gestational age of > 20 weeks / the time from arrest is < 15 min / the cause of maternal death is not haemorrhagic shock or obstetric related

13 / 15

13. In out of hospital adult cardiac arrest with a shockable rhythm the third shock will be delivered at

a) 4 minutes after CPR has commenced

b) 6 minutes after CPR has commenced

c) 2 minutes after CPR has commenced

d) 8 minutes after CPR has commenced

In out of hospital adult cardiac arrest with a shockable rhythm the third shock will be delivered at 4 minutes after CPR has commenced.

In out of hospital adult cardiac arrest with a shockable rhythm the third shock will be delivered at 4 minutes after CPR has commenced.

14 / 15

14. Which one of the following statements is indicative of the correct CPR technique in an adult:

a) The ventilation : compression ratio should be 2:5

b) The depth of compression should be approximately 1/5 of the thoracic diameter

c) The rate of compression should be at least 80/min in adults

d) Compression should comprise 50% of the cycle

Depth of compression should be 5 – 6cm (>1/3 of the thoracic diameter). Ventilation compression ratio should be 2:30. The compression rate should be 100-120/min.

Depth of compression should be 5 – 6cm (>1/3 of the thoracic diameter). Ventilation compression ratio should be 2:30. The compression rate should be 100-120/min.

15 / 15

15. The most appropriate sedation agent for a patient with VF about to be defibrillated but who is still aware during CPR is

a) Ketamine

b) Propofol

c) Nothing

d) Midazolam

The most appropriate sedation agent for a patient with VF who is still aware during CPR is nothing. Whilst this may seem harsh, the delay to administration of any agent (allowing for circulation time) will decrease the probability of survival too much to justify.

The most appropriate sedation agent for a patient with VF who is still aware during CPR is nothing. Whilst this may seem harsh, the delay to administration of any agent (allowing for circulation time) will decrease the probability of survival too much to justify.

Your score is
The average score is 57%
0%