True

Option A: Asystole is not amenable to correction by defibrillation. But there is a school of thought that holds that asystole should be treated like V-fib, i.e., defibrillate it. The thinking is that human error or equipment malfunction may result in misidentifying V-fib as asystole. Missing V-fib can have deadly consequences for the patient because V-fib is highly amenable to correction by defibrillation.

Has a maximum total dosage of 0.03-0.04 mg/kg IV in the setting of cardiac arrest.

Option A: Only give atropine for symptomatic bradycardias. Many physically fit people have resting heart rates less than 60 bpm.

Option B: Atropine may be given via an endotracheal tube.

Option D: Administering atropine slowly may cause paradoxical bradycardia.

It may cause a drop in blood pressure.

Option B: Verapamil usually decreases blood pressure, which is why it is sometimes used as an antihypertensive agent.

Option A: Verapamil may be lethal if given to a patient with V-tach, therefore it should not be given to a tachycardic patient with a wide complex QRS.

Option C: Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker and may actually cause PEA if given too fast intravenously or if given in excessive amounts. The specific antidote for overdose from verapamil, or any other calcium channel blocker, is calcium.

Option D: Verapamil may cause hypotension.

Ventricular fibrillation

Option C: Moreover, ventricular fibrillation is 15 times more likely to occur during the first hour of an acute MI than the following twelve hours which is why it is vital to decrease the delay between onset of chest pain and arrival at a medical facility. First-degree heart block is not a lethal arrhythmia.

A patient may have a normal appearing ECG.

Option A: Which is why a normal ECG alone cannot be relied upon to rule out an MI.

Option B: Chest pain does not always accompany an MI. This is especially true of patients with diabetes.

Option C: A targeted history is often crucial in making the diagnosis of acute MI.

Option D: The chest pain associated with an acute MI is often described as heavy, crushing pressure, ‘like an elephant sitting on my chest.’

Should not be used with a conscious person, pediatric patients, or patients who have swallowed caustic substances.

Option A: EOA insertion should only be attempted by persons highly proficient in their use.

Option B: Moreover, since visualization is not required the EOA may be very useful in patient’s when intubation is contraindicated or not possible.

Option C: Vomiting and aspiration are possible complications of insertion and removal of an EOA.

Pull the tube back and listen again.

Option D: Most likely you have a right mainstem bronchus intubation. Pulling the tube back a few centimeters may be all you need to do.

Cricoid pressure may prevent gastric inflation during ventilations.

Option C: Cricoid pressure may prevent gastric inflation during ventilations and may also prevent regurgitation by compressing the esophagus.

Option A: This may cause gastric insufflation thus increasing the risk for regurgitation and aspiration. With adults, breaths should be delivered slowly and steadily over 2 seconds.

Option B: Effective ventilation using bag-valve mask usually requires at least two well-trained rescuers.

Option D: A frequent problem with bag-valve mask ventilations is the inability to provide adequate tidal volumes.

Reduces the risk of aspiration of gastric contents.

Option A: This is wrong because an attempt should not last longer than 30 seconds.

Option C: Unless the injury is suspected the neck should be slightly flexed and the head extended the ‘sniffing position’.

Option D: After securing an airway and successfully ventilating the patient with two breaths you should then check for a pulse. If there is no pulse begin chest compressions. Intubation is part of the secondary survey ABC’s.

All of the above.

Option E: An oropharyngeal airway should be used in an unconscious patient. In a conscious or semiconscious patient, its use may cause laryngospasm or vomiting. An oropharyngeal airway that is too long may push the epiglottis into a position that obstructs the airway. It is often used with an ETT to prevent biting and occlusion. It is usually inserted upside down and then rotated into the correct orientation as it approaches full insertion.