ACLS WRITTEN EXAM 2026 COMPLETE
STUDY GUIDE PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES ADVANCED CARDIAC LIFE
SUPPORT CERTIFICATION EXAM
PREPARATION
You are monitoring a patient with chest discomfort who suddenly becomes
unresponsive. You observe the following rhythm on the cardiac monitor. A
defibrillator is present. What is your first action? - CORRECT ANSWER-Give
a single shock
what do you do after return of spontaneous circulation - CORRECT
ANSWER-maintain O2 sat at 94%
treat hypotension (fluids vasopressor)
12 lead EKG
if in coma consider hypothermia
if not in coma and ekg shows STEMI or AMI consider re-perfusion
what are the 5 h's and 5 t's - CORRECT ANSWER-hypovolemia
hypoxia
hydrogen ion (acidosis)
hypo/hyperkalemia
hypothermia
,tension pneumothorax
tamponade, cardiac
toxins
thrombosis, pulmonary
thrombosis, coronary
Bradycardia require treatment when? - CORRECT ANSWER-chest pain or
shortness of breath is present
how do you treat non-symptomatic bradycardia - CORRECT ANSWER-
monitor and observe
what constitutes symptomatic bradycardia - CORRECT ANSWER-
hypotension
altered mental status
signs of shock
chest pain
acute heart failure
A patient with sinus bradycardia and a heart rate of 42 has diaphoresis and
blood pressure of 80/60. What is the initial dose of atropine? - CORRECT
ANSWER-0.5 mg
how do you treat symptomatic bradycardia - CORRECT ANSWER-give 0.5mg
atropine every 3-5 mins to max of 3mg
, if that doesn't work try one of the following:
transcutaneous pacing
2-10mcg/kg / minute dopamine infusion
2-10mcg per minute epinephrine infusion
what is considered a tachycardia requiring treatment - CORRECT ANSWER-
over 150 per minute
when do you consider cardioversion - CORRECT ANSWER-if persistent
tachycardia is causing:
hypotension
altered mental status
signs of shock
chest pain
acute heart failure
if persistent tachycardia does not present with symptoms what do you need
to consider - CORRECT ANSWER-wide QRS?
greater than 0.12 seconds
Your patient has been intubated. IV/IVO access is not available. Which
combination of drugs can be administered by endotracheal route? -
CORRECT ANSWER-Lidocaine, epinephrine, vasopressin
STUDY GUIDE PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES ADVANCED CARDIAC LIFE
SUPPORT CERTIFICATION EXAM
PREPARATION
You are monitoring a patient with chest discomfort who suddenly becomes
unresponsive. You observe the following rhythm on the cardiac monitor. A
defibrillator is present. What is your first action? - CORRECT ANSWER-Give
a single shock
what do you do after return of spontaneous circulation - CORRECT
ANSWER-maintain O2 sat at 94%
treat hypotension (fluids vasopressor)
12 lead EKG
if in coma consider hypothermia
if not in coma and ekg shows STEMI or AMI consider re-perfusion
what are the 5 h's and 5 t's - CORRECT ANSWER-hypovolemia
hypoxia
hydrogen ion (acidosis)
hypo/hyperkalemia
hypothermia
,tension pneumothorax
tamponade, cardiac
toxins
thrombosis, pulmonary
thrombosis, coronary
Bradycardia require treatment when? - CORRECT ANSWER-chest pain or
shortness of breath is present
how do you treat non-symptomatic bradycardia - CORRECT ANSWER-
monitor and observe
what constitutes symptomatic bradycardia - CORRECT ANSWER-
hypotension
altered mental status
signs of shock
chest pain
acute heart failure
A patient with sinus bradycardia and a heart rate of 42 has diaphoresis and
blood pressure of 80/60. What is the initial dose of atropine? - CORRECT
ANSWER-0.5 mg
how do you treat symptomatic bradycardia - CORRECT ANSWER-give 0.5mg
atropine every 3-5 mins to max of 3mg
, if that doesn't work try one of the following:
transcutaneous pacing
2-10mcg/kg / minute dopamine infusion
2-10mcg per minute epinephrine infusion
what is considered a tachycardia requiring treatment - CORRECT ANSWER-
over 150 per minute
when do you consider cardioversion - CORRECT ANSWER-if persistent
tachycardia is causing:
hypotension
altered mental status
signs of shock
chest pain
acute heart failure
if persistent tachycardia does not present with symptoms what do you need
to consider - CORRECT ANSWER-wide QRS?
greater than 0.12 seconds
Your patient has been intubated. IV/IVO access is not available. Which
combination of drugs can be administered by endotracheal route? -
CORRECT ANSWER-Lidocaine, epinephrine, vasopressin
