ACLS POST TEST VERSION 5 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ What is the BEST strategy for performing high-quality CPR on a
patient with an advanced airway in place? Answer: Provide
continuous chest compressions without pauses and 10 ventilations
per minute.
◉ Three minutes after witnessing a cardiac arrest, one member of
your team inserts an endotracheal tube while another performs
continuous chest compressions. During subsequent ventilation, you
notice the presence of a waveform on the capnography screen and a
PETCO2 level of 8 mm Hg. What is the significance of this finding?
Answer: Chest compressions may not be effective.
◉ The use of quantitative capnography in intubated patients
Answer: allows for monitoring of CPR quality.
◉ For the past 25 minutes, an EMS crew has attempted resuscitation
of a patient who originally presented in ventricular fibrillation. After
the first shock, the ECG screen displayed asystole, which has
persisted despite 2 doses of epinephrine, a fluid bolus, and high-
quality CPR. What is your next treatment? Answer: Consider
terminating resuscitive efforts after consulting medical control.
,◉ Which is a safe and effective practice within the defibrillation
sequence? Answer: Be sure oxygen is not blowing over the patient's
chest during the shock.
◉ During your assessment, your patient suddenly loses
consciousness. After calling for help and determining that the
patient is not breathing, you are unsure whether the patient has a
pulse. What is your next action? Answer: Begin chest compressions.
◉ What is an advantage of using hands-free defibrillation pads
instead of defibrillation paddles? Answer: Hands-free pads allow for
a more rapid defibrillation.
◉ What action is recommended to help minimize interruptions in
chest compressions during CPR? Answer: Continue CPR while
charging the defibrillator.
◉ Which action is included in the BLS survey? Answer: Early
defibrillation
◉ Which drug and dose are recommended for the management of a
patient in refractory ventricular fibrillation? Answer: Amioderone
300mg
, ◉ What is the appropriate interval for an interruption in chest
compressions? Answer: 10 seconds or less
◉ Which of the following is a sign of effective CPR? Answer: PETCO2
≥10 mm Hg
◉ What is the primary purpose of a medical emergency team (MET)
or rapid response team (RRT)? Answer: Identifying and treating
early clinical deterioration.
◉ Which action improves the quality of chest compressions
delivered during a resuscitation attempt? Answer: Switch providers
about every 2 minutes or every 5 compression cycles.
◉ What is the appropriate ventilation strategy for an adult in
respiratory arrest with a pulse rate of 80/min? Answer: 1 breath
every 5-6 seconds
◉ A patient presents to the emergency department with new onset
of dizziness and fatigue. On examination, the patient's heart rate is
35/min, the blood pressure is 70/50 mm Hg, the respiratory rate is
22 breaths/min, and the oxygen saturation is 95%. What is the
appropriate first medication? Answer: Atropine 0.5mg
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ What is the BEST strategy for performing high-quality CPR on a
patient with an advanced airway in place? Answer: Provide
continuous chest compressions without pauses and 10 ventilations
per minute.
◉ Three minutes after witnessing a cardiac arrest, one member of
your team inserts an endotracheal tube while another performs
continuous chest compressions. During subsequent ventilation, you
notice the presence of a waveform on the capnography screen and a
PETCO2 level of 8 mm Hg. What is the significance of this finding?
Answer: Chest compressions may not be effective.
◉ The use of quantitative capnography in intubated patients
Answer: allows for monitoring of CPR quality.
◉ For the past 25 minutes, an EMS crew has attempted resuscitation
of a patient who originally presented in ventricular fibrillation. After
the first shock, the ECG screen displayed asystole, which has
persisted despite 2 doses of epinephrine, a fluid bolus, and high-
quality CPR. What is your next treatment? Answer: Consider
terminating resuscitive efforts after consulting medical control.
,◉ Which is a safe and effective practice within the defibrillation
sequence? Answer: Be sure oxygen is not blowing over the patient's
chest during the shock.
◉ During your assessment, your patient suddenly loses
consciousness. After calling for help and determining that the
patient is not breathing, you are unsure whether the patient has a
pulse. What is your next action? Answer: Begin chest compressions.
◉ What is an advantage of using hands-free defibrillation pads
instead of defibrillation paddles? Answer: Hands-free pads allow for
a more rapid defibrillation.
◉ What action is recommended to help minimize interruptions in
chest compressions during CPR? Answer: Continue CPR while
charging the defibrillator.
◉ Which action is included in the BLS survey? Answer: Early
defibrillation
◉ Which drug and dose are recommended for the management of a
patient in refractory ventricular fibrillation? Answer: Amioderone
300mg
, ◉ What is the appropriate interval for an interruption in chest
compressions? Answer: 10 seconds or less
◉ Which of the following is a sign of effective CPR? Answer: PETCO2
≥10 mm Hg
◉ What is the primary purpose of a medical emergency team (MET)
or rapid response team (RRT)? Answer: Identifying and treating
early clinical deterioration.
◉ Which action improves the quality of chest compressions
delivered during a resuscitation attempt? Answer: Switch providers
about every 2 minutes or every 5 compression cycles.
◉ What is the appropriate ventilation strategy for an adult in
respiratory arrest with a pulse rate of 80/min? Answer: 1 breath
every 5-6 seconds
◉ A patient presents to the emergency department with new onset
of dizziness and fatigue. On examination, the patient's heart rate is
35/min, the blood pressure is 70/50 mm Hg, the respiratory rate is
22 breaths/min, and the oxygen saturation is 95%. What is the
appropriate first medication? Answer: Atropine 0.5mg
