American Red Cross ACLS Provider
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1.
A healthcare provider finds an adult patient who is unresponsive and not
breathing normally. After confirming scene safety, what should the
provider do next?
A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
B. Check the patient's temperature
C. Begin a detailed secondary assessment
D. Activate the emergency response system and obtain an
AED/defibrillator while assessing for a pulse
Answer: D. Activate the emergency response system and obtain an
AED/defibrillator while assessing for a pulse
Rationale: Rapid recognition of cardiac arrest and immediate
activation of the emergency response system are essential. An AED or
manual defibrillator should be obtained as quickly as possible because
early defibrillation may be lifesaving when a shockable rhythm is
present. Detailed assessments should not delay CPR and resuscitation.
2.
,Which finding most strongly indicates that an adult patient is in cardiac
arrest?
A. Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing and no definite
pulse
B. Severe hypertension with headache
C. Respiratory rate of 22/minute
D. Chest discomfort with normal responsiveness
Answer: A. Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing
and no definite pulse
Rationale: Cardiac arrest should be suspected in an unresponsive
adult who is not breathing normally. A healthcare provider should
rapidly assess for a definite pulse while avoiding prolonged
interruption of resuscitation. Agonal gasping is not normal breathing
and should not be interpreted as effective ventilation.
3.
During adult CPR, which characteristic best describes high-quality chest
compressions?
A. Slow compressions with frequent pauses
B. Compressing only until the chest becomes slightly depressed
C. Adequate depth and rate with complete chest recoil and minimal
interruptions
D. Compression of the upper sternum only
Answer: C. Adequate depth and rate with complete chest recoil and
minimal interruptions
Rationale: High-quality CPR requires effective compressions,
appropriate depth and rate, complete recoil, and minimal
,interruptions. Compression quality directly influences blood flow to
the heart and brain during cardiac arrest. Providers should avoid
leaning on the chest between compressions.
4.
Why is complete chest recoil important during CPR?
A. It prevents all rib fractures
B. It allows the heart to refill between compressions
C. It increases airway resistance
D. It eliminates the need for ventilation
Answer: B. It allows the heart to refill between compressions
Rationale: Full chest recoil reduces pressure remaining on the heart
and permits venous blood to return to the chest. Incomplete recoil can
reduce cardiac filling and decrease coronary and cerebral perfusion
during CPR.
5.
An adult patient is receiving CPR from a team of rescuers. What is an
important method for maintaining compression quality during prolonged
resuscitation?
A. Rotate the compressor approximately every 2 minutes
B. Rotate the compressor every 20 minutes
C. Stop CPR whenever fatigue begins
D. Have the same provider perform compressions throughout the
resuscitation
Answer: A. Rotate the compressor approximately every 2 minutes
, Rationale: Chest compressions are physically demanding, and fatigue
can reduce compression quality. Planned rotation approximately every
2 minutes, often during rhythm analysis or another unavoidable
pause, helps maintain effective compressions while minimizing
interruptions.
6.
A patient remains pulseless and the monitor shows ventricular
fibrillation. What type of rhythm is ventricular fibrillation?
A. Non-shockable organized rhythm
B. Shockable cardiac arrest rhythm
C. Normal sinus rhythm
D. Supraventricular tachycardia
Answer: B. Shockable cardiac arrest rhythm
Rationale: Ventricular fibrillation is a chaotic ventricular rhythm that
produces no effective cardiac output. It is one of the two major
shockable cardiac arrest rhythms. Defibrillation should be performed
promptly when indicated, followed immediately by CPR.
7.
Which two rhythms are generally classified as shockable cardiac arrest
rhythms?
A. Asystole and sinus bradycardia
B. Pulseless electrical activity and asystole
C. Sinus tachycardia and atrial fibrillation
D. Ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1.
A healthcare provider finds an adult patient who is unresponsive and not
breathing normally. After confirming scene safety, what should the
provider do next?
A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
B. Check the patient's temperature
C. Begin a detailed secondary assessment
D. Activate the emergency response system and obtain an
AED/defibrillator while assessing for a pulse
Answer: D. Activate the emergency response system and obtain an
AED/defibrillator while assessing for a pulse
Rationale: Rapid recognition of cardiac arrest and immediate
activation of the emergency response system are essential. An AED or
manual defibrillator should be obtained as quickly as possible because
early defibrillation may be lifesaving when a shockable rhythm is
present. Detailed assessments should not delay CPR and resuscitation.
2.
,Which finding most strongly indicates that an adult patient is in cardiac
arrest?
A. Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing and no definite
pulse
B. Severe hypertension with headache
C. Respiratory rate of 22/minute
D. Chest discomfort with normal responsiveness
Answer: A. Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing
and no definite pulse
Rationale: Cardiac arrest should be suspected in an unresponsive
adult who is not breathing normally. A healthcare provider should
rapidly assess for a definite pulse while avoiding prolonged
interruption of resuscitation. Agonal gasping is not normal breathing
and should not be interpreted as effective ventilation.
3.
During adult CPR, which characteristic best describes high-quality chest
compressions?
A. Slow compressions with frequent pauses
B. Compressing only until the chest becomes slightly depressed
C. Adequate depth and rate with complete chest recoil and minimal
interruptions
D. Compression of the upper sternum only
Answer: C. Adequate depth and rate with complete chest recoil and
minimal interruptions
Rationale: High-quality CPR requires effective compressions,
appropriate depth and rate, complete recoil, and minimal
,interruptions. Compression quality directly influences blood flow to
the heart and brain during cardiac arrest. Providers should avoid
leaning on the chest between compressions.
4.
Why is complete chest recoil important during CPR?
A. It prevents all rib fractures
B. It allows the heart to refill between compressions
C. It increases airway resistance
D. It eliminates the need for ventilation
Answer: B. It allows the heart to refill between compressions
Rationale: Full chest recoil reduces pressure remaining on the heart
and permits venous blood to return to the chest. Incomplete recoil can
reduce cardiac filling and decrease coronary and cerebral perfusion
during CPR.
5.
An adult patient is receiving CPR from a team of rescuers. What is an
important method for maintaining compression quality during prolonged
resuscitation?
A. Rotate the compressor approximately every 2 minutes
B. Rotate the compressor every 20 minutes
C. Stop CPR whenever fatigue begins
D. Have the same provider perform compressions throughout the
resuscitation
Answer: A. Rotate the compressor approximately every 2 minutes
, Rationale: Chest compressions are physically demanding, and fatigue
can reduce compression quality. Planned rotation approximately every
2 minutes, often during rhythm analysis or another unavoidable
pause, helps maintain effective compressions while minimizing
interruptions.
6.
A patient remains pulseless and the monitor shows ventricular
fibrillation. What type of rhythm is ventricular fibrillation?
A. Non-shockable organized rhythm
B. Shockable cardiac arrest rhythm
C. Normal sinus rhythm
D. Supraventricular tachycardia
Answer: B. Shockable cardiac arrest rhythm
Rationale: Ventricular fibrillation is a chaotic ventricular rhythm that
produces no effective cardiac output. It is one of the two major
shockable cardiac arrest rhythms. Defibrillation should be performed
promptly when indicated, followed immediately by CPR.
7.
Which two rhythms are generally classified as shockable cardiac arrest
rhythms?
A. Asystole and sinus bradycardia
B. Pulseless electrical activity and asystole
C. Sinus tachycardia and atrial fibrillation
D. Ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia
