American Red Cross ACLS Practice
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1.
A 58-year-old adult suddenly collapses in a hospital hallway. The patient
is unresponsive and is not breathing normally. What should the rescuer
do first after confirming unresponsiveness and abnormal breathing?
A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
B. Establish intravenous access
C. Administer epinephrine
D. Activate the emergency response system and begin high-quality
CPR
Answer: D. Activate the emergency response system and begin high-
quality CPR
Rationale: In an adult who is unresponsive and not breathing
normally, immediate activation of the emergency response system and
initiation of high-quality CPR are critical. Delays for an ECG,
vascular access, or medication administration can reduce the
likelihood of successful resuscitation.
2.
Which finding most strongly indicates that an adult cardiac-arrest patient
requires chest compressions?
,A. Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing and no
definite pulse
B. Slow but regular breathing with a palpable pulse
C. Mild chest discomfort with normal responsiveness
D. Blood pressure below the patient's usual baseline
Answer: A. Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing
and no definite pulse
Rationale: Cardiac arrest should be suspected when an adult is
unresponsive, has absent or abnormal breathing, and no definite pulse
can be identified promptly. CPR should not be delayed by prolonged
pulse checks.
3.
What is the recommended chest-compression rate for an adult during
high-quality CPR?
A. 60–80 compressions/minute
B. 80–90 compressions/minute
C. 100–120 compressions/minute
D. 130–150 compressions/minute
Answer: C. 100–120 compressions/minute
Rationale: Adult chest compressions should generally be delivered at a
rate of 100–120 compressions per minute. Rates that are substantially
slower may provide inadequate perfusion, while excessively rapid
compressions can interfere with complete recoil and effective
ventilation.
4.
What is the recommended compression depth for an average adult
during CPR?
,A. Approximately 1 cm
B. At least 5 cm (2 inches), while avoiding excessive depth
C. Approximately 3 cm
D. More than 8 cm
Answer: B. At least 5 cm (2 inches), while avoiding excessive depth
Rationale: Adult compressions should be at least 5 cm deep while
avoiding excessive depth. Adequate depth helps generate blood flow to
the heart and brain, but excessively deep compressions may increase
the risk of injury.
5.
Which action best promotes effective chest compressions?
A. Allowing frequent pauses to reassess the rhythm
B. Leaning on the chest between compressions
C. Compressing at different depths according to the patient's age
D. Allowing complete chest recoil after every compression
Answer: D. Allowing complete chest recoil after every compression
Rationale: Complete chest recoil allows the heart to refill between
compressions. Leaning on the chest can impair venous return and
reduce the effectiveness of CPR. Interruptions should also be
minimized.
6.
Two rescuers are performing adult CPR with a bag-mask device. What is
generally the most appropriate ventilation approach when there is no
advanced airway?
A. Give 2 breaths after every 30 compressions
B. Give 1 breath after every 5 compressions
, C. Give continuous breaths while compressions continue
D. Give 4 breaths after every 30 compressions
Answer: A. Give 2 breaths after every 30 compressions
Rationale: For adult CPR without an advanced airway, the standard
compression-to-ventilation ratio is 30:2. Each breath should be
delivered over approximately one second and should produce visible
chest rise without excessive ventilation.
7.
Why should excessive ventilation be avoided during cardiac arrest?
A. It eliminates the need for compressions
B. It causes immediate ventricular fibrillation
C. It can increase intrathoracic pressure and reduce venous return
D. It always causes pneumothorax
Answer: C. It can increase intrathoracic pressure and reduce venous
return
Rationale: Excessive ventilation can raise intrathoracic pressure,
reduce venous return to the heart, and compromise cardiac output
during CPR. Appropriate ventilation is therefore an important
component of high-quality resuscitation.
8.
A patient remains in cardiac arrest and an advanced airway is
successfully placed. How should ventilation generally be delivered?
A. Stop compressions for every breath
B. Give approximately 1 breath every 6 seconds while continuous
compressions continue
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1.
A 58-year-old adult suddenly collapses in a hospital hallway. The patient
is unresponsive and is not breathing normally. What should the rescuer
do first after confirming unresponsiveness and abnormal breathing?
A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
B. Establish intravenous access
C. Administer epinephrine
D. Activate the emergency response system and begin high-quality
CPR
Answer: D. Activate the emergency response system and begin high-
quality CPR
Rationale: In an adult who is unresponsive and not breathing
normally, immediate activation of the emergency response system and
initiation of high-quality CPR are critical. Delays for an ECG,
vascular access, or medication administration can reduce the
likelihood of successful resuscitation.
2.
Which finding most strongly indicates that an adult cardiac-arrest patient
requires chest compressions?
,A. Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing and no
definite pulse
B. Slow but regular breathing with a palpable pulse
C. Mild chest discomfort with normal responsiveness
D. Blood pressure below the patient's usual baseline
Answer: A. Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing
and no definite pulse
Rationale: Cardiac arrest should be suspected when an adult is
unresponsive, has absent or abnormal breathing, and no definite pulse
can be identified promptly. CPR should not be delayed by prolonged
pulse checks.
3.
What is the recommended chest-compression rate for an adult during
high-quality CPR?
A. 60–80 compressions/minute
B. 80–90 compressions/minute
C. 100–120 compressions/minute
D. 130–150 compressions/minute
Answer: C. 100–120 compressions/minute
Rationale: Adult chest compressions should generally be delivered at a
rate of 100–120 compressions per minute. Rates that are substantially
slower may provide inadequate perfusion, while excessively rapid
compressions can interfere with complete recoil and effective
ventilation.
4.
What is the recommended compression depth for an average adult
during CPR?
,A. Approximately 1 cm
B. At least 5 cm (2 inches), while avoiding excessive depth
C. Approximately 3 cm
D. More than 8 cm
Answer: B. At least 5 cm (2 inches), while avoiding excessive depth
Rationale: Adult compressions should be at least 5 cm deep while
avoiding excessive depth. Adequate depth helps generate blood flow to
the heart and brain, but excessively deep compressions may increase
the risk of injury.
5.
Which action best promotes effective chest compressions?
A. Allowing frequent pauses to reassess the rhythm
B. Leaning on the chest between compressions
C. Compressing at different depths according to the patient's age
D. Allowing complete chest recoil after every compression
Answer: D. Allowing complete chest recoil after every compression
Rationale: Complete chest recoil allows the heart to refill between
compressions. Leaning on the chest can impair venous return and
reduce the effectiveness of CPR. Interruptions should also be
minimized.
6.
Two rescuers are performing adult CPR with a bag-mask device. What is
generally the most appropriate ventilation approach when there is no
advanced airway?
A. Give 2 breaths after every 30 compressions
B. Give 1 breath after every 5 compressions
, C. Give continuous breaths while compressions continue
D. Give 4 breaths after every 30 compressions
Answer: A. Give 2 breaths after every 30 compressions
Rationale: For adult CPR without an advanced airway, the standard
compression-to-ventilation ratio is 30:2. Each breath should be
delivered over approximately one second and should produce visible
chest rise without excessive ventilation.
7.
Why should excessive ventilation be avoided during cardiac arrest?
A. It eliminates the need for compressions
B. It causes immediate ventricular fibrillation
C. It can increase intrathoracic pressure and reduce venous return
D. It always causes pneumothorax
Answer: C. It can increase intrathoracic pressure and reduce venous
return
Rationale: Excessive ventilation can raise intrathoracic pressure,
reduce venous return to the heart, and compromise cardiac output
during CPR. Appropriate ventilation is therefore an important
component of high-quality resuscitation.
8.
A patient remains in cardiac arrest and an advanced airway is
successfully placed. How should ventilation generally be delivered?
A. Stop compressions for every breath
B. Give approximately 1 breath every 6 seconds while continuous
compressions continue
