AHA ACLS Written Test 2026 | Questions & Verified
Answers | Latest Update | Graded A+
1. What is the recommended initial evaluation for a patient presenting with a
pulse rate of 200/min?
Administer epinephrine
Perform chest compressions
Check blood pressure
Obtain an ECG
2. Which of the following interventions are used to treat hypotension after
ROSC?
IV fluid bolus of normal saline or lactated ringers
Epinephrine or Norepinephrine infusion
Dopamine infusion
All of the above
3. Your patient exhibits a narrow-complex tachycardia at a rate of 180. She has a
weak carotid pulse with no distal pulses, and c/o chest pressure with
dyspnea. Of the following, what would be your most appropriate
intervention?
Immediate defibrillation
Synchronized cardioversion
Endotracheal intubation
Administer 6 mg of Adensoine rapid IV push
,4. In a scenario where a patient with narrow complex tachycardia becomes
unstable with hypotension, what would be the most appropriate next step?
Continue monitoring
Increase fluid intake
Synchronized cardioversion
Administer adenosine
5. Describe the rationale behind using vagal maneuvers for a patient with a
heart rate of 180 beats per minute.
Vagal maneuvers are used to increase blood pressure.
Vagal maneuvers can help slow down the heart rate by stimulating
the vagus nerve.
Vagal maneuvers are ineffective in managing tachycardia.
Vagal maneuvers are only used in cases of cardiac arrest.
6. Describe how hands-free defibrillator pads improve the efficiency of
defibrillation in ACLS scenarios.
Hands-free defibrillator pads improve efficiency by allowing
immediate application and reducing the time between assessment
and shock delivery.
Hands-free defibrillator pads are less effective than paddles in
delivering shocks.
Hands-free defibrillator pads require more personnel to operate
effectively.
Hands-free defibrillator pads can only be used on adults.
,7. In a scenario where a patient requires CPR, how would you implement
strategies to minimize interruptions in chest compressions?
By coordinating rhythm checks with compression cycles and using a
timer.
By performing rhythm checks every minute regardless of
compressions.
By assigning one rescuer to perform all checks while others compress.
By using verbal cues to signal when to stop compressions.
8. Describe the rationale behind using atropine for a patient with bradycardia
and low blood pressure.
Atropine is used to convert bradycardia to tachycardia directly.
Atropine enhances the effects of epinephrine.
Atropine decreases heart rate to stabilize blood pressure.
Atropine increases heart rate by blocking vagal effects on the heart.
9. In a scenario where an AED fails to analyze a rhythm after two attempts, what
should you do next to ensure patient care continues effectively?
Administer a second dose of epinephrine.
Resume high-quality CPR and reassess the patient.
Wait for the AED to reset before attempting again.
Call for additional medical personnel before proceeding.
10. In a scenario where a patient has achieved ROSC but is still unresponsive
and not breathing adequately, what should be your immediate action?
Provide supplemental oxygen and assist with ventilation.
, Prepare for defibrillation immediately.
Administer a second dose of epinephrine.
Continue chest compressions until the patient wakes up.
11. In a scenario where a patient in ventricular fibrillation is not responding to
CPR, what should be the next immediate step to improve outcomes?
Check the patient's pulse before proceeding
Continue CPR for an additional 5 minutes
Administer immediate defibrillation
Administer epinephrine before defibrillation
12. Describe the significance of synchronized cardioversion in the management
of certain cardiac rhythms.
Synchronized cardioversion is only effective in ventricular fibrillation.
Synchronized cardioversion is used only for patients in asystole.
Synchronized cardioversion is a method to perform CPR.
Synchronized cardioversion is crucial for restoring normal rhythm
in patients with unstable atrial fibrillation or other
tachyarrhythmias.
13. Why is obtaining a 12-lead ECG crucial for a patient with chest pain and low
blood pressure?
It assesses the patient's respiratory function.
It determines the patient's oxygen saturation levels.
It provides information about the patient's blood glucose levels.
Answers | Latest Update | Graded A+
1. What is the recommended initial evaluation for a patient presenting with a
pulse rate of 200/min?
Administer epinephrine
Perform chest compressions
Check blood pressure
Obtain an ECG
2. Which of the following interventions are used to treat hypotension after
ROSC?
IV fluid bolus of normal saline or lactated ringers
Epinephrine or Norepinephrine infusion
Dopamine infusion
All of the above
3. Your patient exhibits a narrow-complex tachycardia at a rate of 180. She has a
weak carotid pulse with no distal pulses, and c/o chest pressure with
dyspnea. Of the following, what would be your most appropriate
intervention?
Immediate defibrillation
Synchronized cardioversion
Endotracheal intubation
Administer 6 mg of Adensoine rapid IV push
,4. In a scenario where a patient with narrow complex tachycardia becomes
unstable with hypotension, what would be the most appropriate next step?
Continue monitoring
Increase fluid intake
Synchronized cardioversion
Administer adenosine
5. Describe the rationale behind using vagal maneuvers for a patient with a
heart rate of 180 beats per minute.
Vagal maneuvers are used to increase blood pressure.
Vagal maneuvers can help slow down the heart rate by stimulating
the vagus nerve.
Vagal maneuvers are ineffective in managing tachycardia.
Vagal maneuvers are only used in cases of cardiac arrest.
6. Describe how hands-free defibrillator pads improve the efficiency of
defibrillation in ACLS scenarios.
Hands-free defibrillator pads improve efficiency by allowing
immediate application and reducing the time between assessment
and shock delivery.
Hands-free defibrillator pads are less effective than paddles in
delivering shocks.
Hands-free defibrillator pads require more personnel to operate
effectively.
Hands-free defibrillator pads can only be used on adults.
,7. In a scenario where a patient requires CPR, how would you implement
strategies to minimize interruptions in chest compressions?
By coordinating rhythm checks with compression cycles and using a
timer.
By performing rhythm checks every minute regardless of
compressions.
By assigning one rescuer to perform all checks while others compress.
By using verbal cues to signal when to stop compressions.
8. Describe the rationale behind using atropine for a patient with bradycardia
and low blood pressure.
Atropine is used to convert bradycardia to tachycardia directly.
Atropine enhances the effects of epinephrine.
Atropine decreases heart rate to stabilize blood pressure.
Atropine increases heart rate by blocking vagal effects on the heart.
9. In a scenario where an AED fails to analyze a rhythm after two attempts, what
should you do next to ensure patient care continues effectively?
Administer a second dose of epinephrine.
Resume high-quality CPR and reassess the patient.
Wait for the AED to reset before attempting again.
Call for additional medical personnel before proceeding.
10. In a scenario where a patient has achieved ROSC but is still unresponsive
and not breathing adequately, what should be your immediate action?
Provide supplemental oxygen and assist with ventilation.
, Prepare for defibrillation immediately.
Administer a second dose of epinephrine.
Continue chest compressions until the patient wakes up.
11. In a scenario where a patient in ventricular fibrillation is not responding to
CPR, what should be the next immediate step to improve outcomes?
Check the patient's pulse before proceeding
Continue CPR for an additional 5 minutes
Administer immediate defibrillation
Administer epinephrine before defibrillation
12. Describe the significance of synchronized cardioversion in the management
of certain cardiac rhythms.
Synchronized cardioversion is only effective in ventricular fibrillation.
Synchronized cardioversion is used only for patients in asystole.
Synchronized cardioversion is a method to perform CPR.
Synchronized cardioversion is crucial for restoring normal rhythm
in patients with unstable atrial fibrillation or other
tachyarrhythmias.
13. Why is obtaining a 12-lead ECG crucial for a patient with chest pain and low
blood pressure?
It assesses the patient's respiratory function.
It determines the patient's oxygen saturation levels.
It provides information about the patient's blood glucose levels.
