AHA ACLS Final Exam Actual Exam
2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style
Questions | 100% Verified Detailed
Rationales – Pass Guaranteed – A+
Graded
CARDIAC ARREST & CPR QUALITY
1. A 62-year-old man collapses in the hospital hallway. He is
unresponsive, not breathing, and has no pulse. The first rescuer
begins high-quality CPR. What is the priority next step?
A) Insert an advanced airway
B) Obtain IV access
C) Attach an AED/defibrillator
D) Administer epinephrine 1 mg IV
Correct ,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: After starting CPR, the next priority is to attach an AED or
defibrillator to analyze the rhythm and deliver a shock if indicated. Early
defibrillation is the most critical intervention for shockable rhythms and
offers the best chance for survival.
,2. A patient in the ICU has a witnessed cardiac arrest. The cardiac
monitor shows ventricular fibrillation (VF). The nurse calls a code
and starts CPR. After one cycle of CPR, the defibrillator is ready.
What is the appropriate energy for the first shock for a biphasic
defibrillator?
A) 120 J
B) 200 J
C) 360 J
D) Manufacturer's recommended dose (typically 120–200 J)
Correct ,,answer,,,: D
Rationale: For biphasic defibrillators, use the manufacturer's
recommended energy (usually 120 J or 150 J to 200 J). If the
manufacturer's recommendation is unknown, use the maximum available
(200 J).
3. A patient is unresponsive, pulseless, and the monitor shows
ventricular fibrillation (VF). What is the first treatment?
A) Administer epinephrine
B) Begin chest compressions and defibrillate as soon as possible
C) Administer amiodarone
D) Insert an advanced airway
Correct ,,answer,,,: B
,Rationale: VF is a shockable rhythm. Immediate high-quality CPR and
early defibrillation offer the best chance for survival. Defibrillation is the
priority treatment for VF/pulseless VT.
4. During cardiac arrest, what is the recommended compression
rate?
A) 80–100/min
B) 100–120/min
C) 120–140/min
D) 140–160/min
Correct ,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: The recommended compression rate is 100–120
compressions per minute with a depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm) in
adults. This rate optimizes coronary perfusion while allowing for
complete chest recoil.
5. A patient in pulseless VT remains in cardiac arrest after the
second shock. Which medication should be administered first?
A) Atropine 1 mg
B) Lidocaine 25 mg
C) Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO
D) Adenosine 6 mg
Correct ,,answer,,,: C
, Rationale: Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO is given every 3–5 minutes during
cardiac arrest. Amiodarone or lidocaine may be given for refractory
VF/pVT, but epinephrine is the first-line vasopressor in cardiac arrest.
6. You find an unresponsive patient who is not breathing. After
activating the emergency response system, you determine there is no
pulse. What is your next action?
A) Start chest compressions of at least 100 per minute
B) Insert an advanced airway
C) Attach the AED
D) Administer epinephrine
Correct ,,answer,,,: A
Rationale: After confirming cardiac arrest, high-quality chest
compressions should be started immediately at a rate of at least 100 per
minute. Early CPR is critical for maintaining perfusion to vital organs.
7. Which action is a component of high-quality chest compressions?
A) Allowing complete chest recoil
B) Compressing at a rate of 80/min
C) Compressing to a depth of 1.5 inches
D) Interrupting compressions for pulse checks every 30 seconds
Correct ,,answer,,,: A
2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style
Questions | 100% Verified Detailed
Rationales – Pass Guaranteed – A+
Graded
CARDIAC ARREST & CPR QUALITY
1. A 62-year-old man collapses in the hospital hallway. He is
unresponsive, not breathing, and has no pulse. The first rescuer
begins high-quality CPR. What is the priority next step?
A) Insert an advanced airway
B) Obtain IV access
C) Attach an AED/defibrillator
D) Administer epinephrine 1 mg IV
Correct ,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: After starting CPR, the next priority is to attach an AED or
defibrillator to analyze the rhythm and deliver a shock if indicated. Early
defibrillation is the most critical intervention for shockable rhythms and
offers the best chance for survival.
,2. A patient in the ICU has a witnessed cardiac arrest. The cardiac
monitor shows ventricular fibrillation (VF). The nurse calls a code
and starts CPR. After one cycle of CPR, the defibrillator is ready.
What is the appropriate energy for the first shock for a biphasic
defibrillator?
A) 120 J
B) 200 J
C) 360 J
D) Manufacturer's recommended dose (typically 120–200 J)
Correct ,,answer,,,: D
Rationale: For biphasic defibrillators, use the manufacturer's
recommended energy (usually 120 J or 150 J to 200 J). If the
manufacturer's recommendation is unknown, use the maximum available
(200 J).
3. A patient is unresponsive, pulseless, and the monitor shows
ventricular fibrillation (VF). What is the first treatment?
A) Administer epinephrine
B) Begin chest compressions and defibrillate as soon as possible
C) Administer amiodarone
D) Insert an advanced airway
Correct ,,answer,,,: B
,Rationale: VF is a shockable rhythm. Immediate high-quality CPR and
early defibrillation offer the best chance for survival. Defibrillation is the
priority treatment for VF/pulseless VT.
4. During cardiac arrest, what is the recommended compression
rate?
A) 80–100/min
B) 100–120/min
C) 120–140/min
D) 140–160/min
Correct ,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: The recommended compression rate is 100–120
compressions per minute with a depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm) in
adults. This rate optimizes coronary perfusion while allowing for
complete chest recoil.
5. A patient in pulseless VT remains in cardiac arrest after the
second shock. Which medication should be administered first?
A) Atropine 1 mg
B) Lidocaine 25 mg
C) Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO
D) Adenosine 6 mg
Correct ,,answer,,,: C
, Rationale: Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO is given every 3–5 minutes during
cardiac arrest. Amiodarone or lidocaine may be given for refractory
VF/pVT, but epinephrine is the first-line vasopressor in cardiac arrest.
6. You find an unresponsive patient who is not breathing. After
activating the emergency response system, you determine there is no
pulse. What is your next action?
A) Start chest compressions of at least 100 per minute
B) Insert an advanced airway
C) Attach the AED
D) Administer epinephrine
Correct ,,answer,,,: A
Rationale: After confirming cardiac arrest, high-quality chest
compressions should be started immediately at a rate of at least 100 per
minute. Early CPR is critical for maintaining perfusion to vital organs.
7. Which action is a component of high-quality chest compressions?
A) Allowing complete chest recoil
B) Compressing at a rate of 80/min
C) Compressing to a depth of 1.5 inches
D) Interrupting compressions for pulse checks every 30 seconds
Correct ,,answer,,,: A
