AHA ACLS POST-TEST EXAM 2026–2027:
COMPREHENSIVE ADVANCED CARDIOVASCULAR
LIFE SUPPORT REVIEW | VERIFIED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS, DETAILED RATIONALES & COMPLETE
CERTIFICATION EXAM PREPARATION GUIDE
SECTION 1: BASIC LIFE SUPPORT AND HIGH-QUALITY CPR
Instructions: Select the single best answer for each question.
1. 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. Open the airway with a head tilt-chin lift
B. Administer epinephrine 1 mg IV
C. Deliver 2 rescue breaths each over 1 second
D. Start chest compressions at a rate of at least 100/min
Correct Answer: D
2. What is the recommended compression depth for adult CPR according to the 2026 AHA
guidelines?
,A. At least 1.5 inches (4 cm)
B. At least 2 inches (5 cm) but not exceeding 2.4 inches (6 cm)
C. At least 2.4 inches (6 cm) but not exceeding 3 inches (7.5 cm)
D. Exactly 2 inches (5 cm)
Correct Answer: B
3. What is the recommended chest compression rate for adult CPR?
A. 60-80 compressions per minute
B. 80-100 compressions per minute
C. 100-120 compressions per minute
D. 120-140 compressions per minute
Correct Answer: C
4. Which action is a component of high-quality chest compressions?
A. Allowing complete chest recoil after each compression
B. Delivering compressions at a rate of 80/min
C. Pausing for pulse checks every 30 seconds
D. Compressing to a depth of 1.5 inches
Correct Answer: A
, 5. What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer
performing CPR on an adult without an advanced airway?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
C. 30:1
D. 15:1
Correct Answer: B
6. How often should the person performing chest compressions be rotated to avoid fatigue
and maintain compression quality?
A. Every 1 minute
B. Every 2 minutes or sooner if fatigued
C. Every 5 minutes
D. Only when a new rescuer arrives
Correct Answer: B
7. What is the maximum recommended pause in chest compressions during a rhythm
check?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 15 seconds
D. 20 seconds
COMPREHENSIVE ADVANCED CARDIOVASCULAR
LIFE SUPPORT REVIEW | VERIFIED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS, DETAILED RATIONALES & COMPLETE
CERTIFICATION EXAM PREPARATION GUIDE
SECTION 1: BASIC LIFE SUPPORT AND HIGH-QUALITY CPR
Instructions: Select the single best answer for each question.
1. 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. Open the airway with a head tilt-chin lift
B. Administer epinephrine 1 mg IV
C. Deliver 2 rescue breaths each over 1 second
D. Start chest compressions at a rate of at least 100/min
Correct Answer: D
2. What is the recommended compression depth for adult CPR according to the 2026 AHA
guidelines?
,A. At least 1.5 inches (4 cm)
B. At least 2 inches (5 cm) but not exceeding 2.4 inches (6 cm)
C. At least 2.4 inches (6 cm) but not exceeding 3 inches (7.5 cm)
D. Exactly 2 inches (5 cm)
Correct Answer: B
3. What is the recommended chest compression rate for adult CPR?
A. 60-80 compressions per minute
B. 80-100 compressions per minute
C. 100-120 compressions per minute
D. 120-140 compressions per minute
Correct Answer: C
4. Which action is a component of high-quality chest compressions?
A. Allowing complete chest recoil after each compression
B. Delivering compressions at a rate of 80/min
C. Pausing for pulse checks every 30 seconds
D. Compressing to a depth of 1.5 inches
Correct Answer: A
, 5. What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer
performing CPR on an adult without an advanced airway?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
C. 30:1
D. 15:1
Correct Answer: B
6. How often should the person performing chest compressions be rotated to avoid fatigue
and maintain compression quality?
A. Every 1 minute
B. Every 2 minutes or sooner if fatigued
C. Every 5 minutes
D. Only when a new rescuer arrives
Correct Answer: B
7. What is the maximum recommended pause in chest compressions during a rhythm
check?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 15 seconds
D. 20 seconds
