AHA ACLS Provider Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
American Heart Association (AHA) | Verified Q&A | Healthcare
Professionals and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
Candidates
Section 1: High-Quality BLS & CPR Foundation
1. During adult CPR, what is the recommended chest compression rate per the
2025 AHA Guidelines?
A. 80–100 compressions per minute
B. 100–120 compressions per minute
C. 120–140 compressions per minute
D. 60–80 compressions per minute
Correct Answer: B. The AHA recommends a compression rate of 100–120 per minute
for adults. Rates faster than 120/min reduce coronary perfusion and compression depth,
while rates below 100/min reduce cardiac output.
2. What is the recommended chest compression depth for an average adult during
CPR?
A. At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B. At least 1.5 inches (4 cm)
C. At least 2 inches (5 cm) and no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
D. At least 3 inches (7.5 cm)
,Correct Answer: C. For an average adult, compress at least 2 inches (5 cm) but avoid
exceeding 2.4 inches (6 cm), where injury risk rises without added benefit.
3. How often should compressors switch roles during a prolonged resuscitation to
limit fatigue?
A. Every 30 seconds
B. Every 5 minutes
C. Every 2 minutes (or sooner if fatigued)
D. Only when visibly exhausted
Correct Answer: C. Rescuers should rotate the compressor role about every 2 minutes
(coinciding with rhythm checks) or sooner if fatigued. Fatigue degrades depth and rate
within minutes, often before the rescuer perceives it.
4. Allowing complete chest recoil between compressions is important primarily
because it:
A. Reduces rescuer fatigue
B. Allows venous return and ventricular refilling, improving perfusion
C. Prevents rib fractures
D. Increases compression rate
Correct Answer: B. Full recoil lets the heart refill by allowing venous return; leaning on
the chest raises intrathoracic pressure and reduces coronary perfusion.
5. A high-quality CPR rescuer should limit interruptions in compressions to no
more than what duration?
A. Less than 60 seconds
B. Less than 30 seconds
C. Less than 10 seconds
D. Interruptions do not matter if compressions are deep
,Correct Answer: C. Interruptions in chest compressions should be kept to less than 10
seconds, except for specific interventions such as advanced airway placement or
defibrillation.
6. For an adult in cardiac arrest with NO advanced airway, what compression-to-
ventilation ratio should a two-rescuer team use?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
C. 10:1
D. Continuous compressions with no ventilations
Correct Answer: B. With no advanced airway, the adult compression-to-ventilation
ratio is 30:2 for one or two rescuers. Once an advanced airway is placed, compressions
become continuous with ventilation every 6 seconds.
7. What is the most reliable method to confirm endotracheal tube placement?
A. Chest rise and fall
B. Bilateral breath sounds
C. Continuous waveform capnography
D. Pulse oximetry
Correct Answer: C. Continuous waveform capnography is the most reliable method to
confirm and monitor endotracheal tube placement.
8. During bag-mask ventilation for a patient with a pulse, what is the
recommended ventilation rate?
A. 1 breath every 2 seconds
B. 1 breath every 5–6 seconds
C. 2 breaths every 30 compressions
D. 20 breaths per minute
, Correct Answer: B. For a patient with a pulse, provide 1 breath every 5–6 seconds (10–
12 breaths per minute).
9. What is the best way to relieve severe choking in a responsive adult?
A. Start CPR immediately
B. Perform abdominal thrusts
C. Give 5 back slaps followed by 2 breaths
D. Give 2 breaths, repositioning the airway after each breath
Correct Answer: B. Abdominal thrusts are the recommended first-line intervention for a
responsive adult with severe choking.
10. To optimize the chest compression fraction during resuscitation, rescuers
should aim to keep the fraction at what minimum target?
A. At least 40%
B. At least 60% (ideally 80% or higher)
C. At least 50%
D. Exactly 100%
Correct Answer: B. Chest compression fraction should be at least 60%, with a goal of
80% or higher. Minimizing interruptions preserves coronary and cerebral perfusion.
Section 2: Cardiac Arrest Algorithms & Defibrillation
11. What is the single most important factor for survival in witnessed adult
ventricular fibrillation arrest?
A. Early epinephrine administration
B. Early advanced airway placement
American Heart Association (AHA) | Verified Q&A | Healthcare
Professionals and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
Candidates
Section 1: High-Quality BLS & CPR Foundation
1. During adult CPR, what is the recommended chest compression rate per the
2025 AHA Guidelines?
A. 80–100 compressions per minute
B. 100–120 compressions per minute
C. 120–140 compressions per minute
D. 60–80 compressions per minute
Correct Answer: B. The AHA recommends a compression rate of 100–120 per minute
for adults. Rates faster than 120/min reduce coronary perfusion and compression depth,
while rates below 100/min reduce cardiac output.
2. What is the recommended chest compression depth for an average adult during
CPR?
A. At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B. At least 1.5 inches (4 cm)
C. At least 2 inches (5 cm) and no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
D. At least 3 inches (7.5 cm)
,Correct Answer: C. For an average adult, compress at least 2 inches (5 cm) but avoid
exceeding 2.4 inches (6 cm), where injury risk rises without added benefit.
3. How often should compressors switch roles during a prolonged resuscitation to
limit fatigue?
A. Every 30 seconds
B. Every 5 minutes
C. Every 2 minutes (or sooner if fatigued)
D. Only when visibly exhausted
Correct Answer: C. Rescuers should rotate the compressor role about every 2 minutes
(coinciding with rhythm checks) or sooner if fatigued. Fatigue degrades depth and rate
within minutes, often before the rescuer perceives it.
4. Allowing complete chest recoil between compressions is important primarily
because it:
A. Reduces rescuer fatigue
B. Allows venous return and ventricular refilling, improving perfusion
C. Prevents rib fractures
D. Increases compression rate
Correct Answer: B. Full recoil lets the heart refill by allowing venous return; leaning on
the chest raises intrathoracic pressure and reduces coronary perfusion.
5. A high-quality CPR rescuer should limit interruptions in compressions to no
more than what duration?
A. Less than 60 seconds
B. Less than 30 seconds
C. Less than 10 seconds
D. Interruptions do not matter if compressions are deep
,Correct Answer: C. Interruptions in chest compressions should be kept to less than 10
seconds, except for specific interventions such as advanced airway placement or
defibrillation.
6. For an adult in cardiac arrest with NO advanced airway, what compression-to-
ventilation ratio should a two-rescuer team use?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
C. 10:1
D. Continuous compressions with no ventilations
Correct Answer: B. With no advanced airway, the adult compression-to-ventilation
ratio is 30:2 for one or two rescuers. Once an advanced airway is placed, compressions
become continuous with ventilation every 6 seconds.
7. What is the most reliable method to confirm endotracheal tube placement?
A. Chest rise and fall
B. Bilateral breath sounds
C. Continuous waveform capnography
D. Pulse oximetry
Correct Answer: C. Continuous waveform capnography is the most reliable method to
confirm and monitor endotracheal tube placement.
8. During bag-mask ventilation for a patient with a pulse, what is the
recommended ventilation rate?
A. 1 breath every 2 seconds
B. 1 breath every 5–6 seconds
C. 2 breaths every 30 compressions
D. 20 breaths per minute
, Correct Answer: B. For a patient with a pulse, provide 1 breath every 5–6 seconds (10–
12 breaths per minute).
9. What is the best way to relieve severe choking in a responsive adult?
A. Start CPR immediately
B. Perform abdominal thrusts
C. Give 5 back slaps followed by 2 breaths
D. Give 2 breaths, repositioning the airway after each breath
Correct Answer: B. Abdominal thrusts are the recommended first-line intervention for a
responsive adult with severe choking.
10. To optimize the chest compression fraction during resuscitation, rescuers
should aim to keep the fraction at what minimum target?
A. At least 40%
B. At least 60% (ideally 80% or higher)
C. At least 50%
D. Exactly 100%
Correct Answer: B. Chest compression fraction should be at least 60%, with a goal of
80% or higher. Minimizing interruptions preserves coronary and cerebral perfusion.
Section 2: Cardiac Arrest Algorithms & Defibrillation
11. What is the single most important factor for survival in witnessed adult
ventricular fibrillation arrest?
A. Early epinephrine administration
B. Early advanced airway placement
