ACLS Provider Exam Version A – American Heart
Association (AHA) – 2026/2027 Academic Year –
Verified Questions and Answers for Healthcare
Providers and Resuscitation Professionals
Section 1: BLS and High-Quality CPR Principles
Question 1
You find an unresponsive patient who is not breathing. After activating the emergency
response system, you determine that there is no pulse. What is your next action?
A) Open the airway with a head-tilt/chin-lift
B) Administer epinephrine at a dose of 1 mg/kg
C) Deliver 2 rescue breaths each over 1 second
D) Start chest compressions at a rate of at least 100/min
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Once cardiac arrest is confirmed, high-quality chest compressions must be
started immediately. This is the priority intervention before airway maneuvers or drug
administration to maintain circulation to vital organs. The recommended rate is 100-120
compressions per minute .
,Question 2
What is the recommended compression depth for an adult during CPR?
A) 1.5 inches (4 cm)
B) 2-2.4 inches (5-6 cm)
C) 3 inches (7.5 cm)
D) 1 inch (2.5 cm)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The AHA guidelines recommend a compression depth of at least 2 inches (5
cm) but not exceeding 2.4 inches (6 cm) for adults. Adequate depth ensures effective
circulation, while excessive depth can cause injury .
Question 3
An activated AED does not promptly analyze the rhythm. What is your next action?
A) Begin chest compressions
B) Discontinue the resuscitation attempt
C) Check all AED connections and reanalyze
D) Rotate AED electrodes to an alternate position
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: If an AED does not analyze promptly, first check the electrode pad
connections and ensure good skin contact. Correcting mechanical or connection issues
allows rhythm analysis to occur. Discontinuing is inappropriate unless the patient is
obviously deceased .
,Question 4
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) Leaning on the chest between compressions
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: High-quality chest compressions require full chest recoil between
compressions to allow the heart chambers to refill adequately, maximizing venous
return and cardiac output. Leaning on the chest prevents complete recoil and reduces
effectiveness .
Question 5
What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-rescuer adult CPR?
A) 15:2
B) 30:2
C) 30:1
D) 15:1
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 30:2 is the standard ratio for single-rescuer adult CPR to maximize coronary
perfusion pressure while providing adequate ventilations .
, Question 6
What is the ideal chest compression fraction (CCF) during CPR?
A) At least 40%
B) At least 50%
C) At least 60%
D) At least 80%
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The ideal CCF is at least 80%. CCF is the proportion of time during cardiac
arrest that chest compressions are being performed, and higher CCF correlates with
improved survival outcomes .
Question 7
How often should rescuers switch roles during CPR to avoid fatigue?
A) Every 5 minutes
B) Every 1 minute
C) Every 2 minutes (or after 5 cycles)
D) Every 30 seconds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Compressors should be switched approximately every 2 minutes (5 cycles of
30:2) to prevent fatigue, which can compromise compression quality. The switch should
be performed within 10 seconds .
Association (AHA) – 2026/2027 Academic Year –
Verified Questions and Answers for Healthcare
Providers and Resuscitation Professionals
Section 1: BLS and High-Quality CPR Principles
Question 1
You find an unresponsive patient who is not breathing. After activating the emergency
response system, you determine that there is no pulse. What is your next action?
A) Open the airway with a head-tilt/chin-lift
B) Administer epinephrine at a dose of 1 mg/kg
C) Deliver 2 rescue breaths each over 1 second
D) Start chest compressions at a rate of at least 100/min
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Once cardiac arrest is confirmed, high-quality chest compressions must be
started immediately. This is the priority intervention before airway maneuvers or drug
administration to maintain circulation to vital organs. The recommended rate is 100-120
compressions per minute .
,Question 2
What is the recommended compression depth for an adult during CPR?
A) 1.5 inches (4 cm)
B) 2-2.4 inches (5-6 cm)
C) 3 inches (7.5 cm)
D) 1 inch (2.5 cm)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The AHA guidelines recommend a compression depth of at least 2 inches (5
cm) but not exceeding 2.4 inches (6 cm) for adults. Adequate depth ensures effective
circulation, while excessive depth can cause injury .
Question 3
An activated AED does not promptly analyze the rhythm. What is your next action?
A) Begin chest compressions
B) Discontinue the resuscitation attempt
C) Check all AED connections and reanalyze
D) Rotate AED electrodes to an alternate position
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: If an AED does not analyze promptly, first check the electrode pad
connections and ensure good skin contact. Correcting mechanical or connection issues
allows rhythm analysis to occur. Discontinuing is inappropriate unless the patient is
obviously deceased .
,Question 4
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) Leaning on the chest between compressions
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: High-quality chest compressions require full chest recoil between
compressions to allow the heart chambers to refill adequately, maximizing venous
return and cardiac output. Leaning on the chest prevents complete recoil and reduces
effectiveness .
Question 5
What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-rescuer adult CPR?
A) 15:2
B) 30:2
C) 30:1
D) 15:1
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 30:2 is the standard ratio for single-rescuer adult CPR to maximize coronary
perfusion pressure while providing adequate ventilations .
, Question 6
What is the ideal chest compression fraction (CCF) during CPR?
A) At least 40%
B) At least 50%
C) At least 60%
D) At least 80%
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The ideal CCF is at least 80%. CCF is the proportion of time during cardiac
arrest that chest compressions are being performed, and higher CCF correlates with
improved survival outcomes .
Question 7
How often should rescuers switch roles during CPR to avoid fatigue?
A) Every 5 minutes
B) Every 1 minute
C) Every 2 minutes (or after 5 cycles)
D) Every 30 seconds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Compressors should be switched approximately every 2 minutes (5 cycles of
30:2) to prevent fatigue, which can compromise compression quality. The switch should
be performed within 10 seconds .
