ICEMA Protocol Practice Test 2025 - Free Protocol Practice Questions and Study Guide

Hyperkalemia, hypothermia, and tension pneumothorax are all recognized conditions that can contribute to cardiac arrest, and they are explicitly mentioned as part of the "Hs and Ts" mnemonic used in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS). Hyperkalemia refers to elevated potassium levels in the blood, which can disrupt normal heart rhythms and lead to cardiac arrest. Hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops significantly, impairing the heart's electrical activity and function. Tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening condition where air trapped in the pleural space exerts pressure on the lungs and heart, potentially leading to arrest.

Dehydration, while serious and potentially leading to a range of cardiovascular issues, is not typically included in the Hs and Ts mnemonic as a direct cause of cardiac arrest. Instead, it may be viewed as a contributing factor that can exacerbate other conditions but does not directly lead to cardiac arrest in the same immediate way that the other mentioned conditions can.