American Red Cross — ACLS Final Exam 2024
250 Original Practice Questions with Answer Key & Rationales
Study Edition — based on publicly available American Red Cross ALS/ACLS learning objectives and resuscitation guidance. These are original practice
questions, not leaked or reproduced exam items.
1. For an adult in cardiac arrest, which action should begin as soon as possible?
■ Begin high-quality chest compressions
● Give oral medication
● Wait for a physician
● Obtain a full medical history
Answer: Begin high-quality chest compressions
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
2. Which statement best answers this ACLS question: For an adult in cardiac arrest, which action
should begin as soon as possible?
● Wait for a physician
■ Begin high-quality chest compressions
● Obtain a full medical history
● Give oral medication
Answer: Begin high-quality chest compressions
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
3. A clinician is preparing for an adult resuscitation. For an adult in cardiac arrest, which action
should begin as soon as possible?
● Obtain a full medical history
■ Begin high-quality chest compressions
● Give oral medication
● Wait for a physician
Answer: Begin high-quality chest compressions
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
4. In a scenario-based ACLS assessment, For an adult in cardiac arrest, which action should begin as
soon as possible?
● Wait for a physician
■ Begin high-quality chest compressions
● Give oral medication
● Obtain a full medical history
Answer: Begin high-quality chest compressions
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
,5. During advanced life support, For an adult in cardiac arrest, which action should begin as soon as
possible?
● Obtain a full medical history
■ Begin high-quality chest compressions
● Give oral medication
● Wait for a physician
Answer: Begin high-quality chest compressions
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
6. What compression rate is targeted for adult CPR?
■ 100–120 compressions/min
● 140–160/min
● 80–90/min
● 60–80/min
Answer: 100–120 compressions/min
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
7. Which statement best answers this ACLS question: What compression rate is targeted for adult
CPR?
● 140–160/min
● 60–80/min
■ 100–120 compressions/min
● 80–90/min
Answer: 100–120 compressions/min
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
8. A clinician is preparing for an adult resuscitation. What compression rate is targeted for adult
CPR?
● 60–80/min
■ 100–120 compressions/min
● 80–90/min
● 140–160/min
Answer: 100–120 compressions/min
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
9. In a scenario-based ACLS assessment, What compression rate is targeted for adult CPR?
● 60–80/min
● 80–90/min
■ 100–120 compressions/min
● 140–160/min
,Answer: 100–120 compressions/min
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
10. During advanced life support, What compression rate is targeted for adult CPR?
■ 100–120 compressions/min
● 60–80/min
● 140–160/min
● 80–90/min
Answer: 100–120 compressions/min
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
11. What is the recommended adult chest-compression depth?
● About 4 inches
■ At least 2 inches (5 cm)
● About 0.5 inch
● About 1 inch
Answer: At least 2 inches (5 cm)
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
12. Which statement best answers this ACLS question: What is the recommended adult
chest-compression depth?
● About 0.5 inch
● About 1 inch
■ At least 2 inches (5 cm)
● About 4 inches
Answer: At least 2 inches (5 cm)
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
13. A clinician is preparing for an adult resuscitation. What is the recommended adult
chest-compression depth?
● About 1 inch
■ At least 2 inches (5 cm)
● About 4 inches
● About 0.5 inch
Answer: At least 2 inches (5 cm)
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
14. In a scenario-based ACLS assessment, What is the recommended adult chest-compression
depth?
● About 4 inches
● About 0.5 inch
, ■ At least 2 inches (5 cm)
● About 1 inch
Answer: At least 2 inches (5 cm)
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
15. During advanced life support, What is the recommended adult chest-compression depth?
● About 1 inch
● About 4 inches
● About 0.5 inch
■ At least 2 inches (5 cm)
Answer: At least 2 inches (5 cm)
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
16. Which finding most strongly indicates cardiac arrest?
● A less appropriate alternative
■ Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing
● An unrelated intervention
● No intervention is indicated
Answer: Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
17. Which statement best answers this ACLS question: Which finding most strongly indicates
cardiac arrest?
● An unrelated intervention
■ Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing
● No intervention is indicated
● A less appropriate alternative
Answer: Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
18. A clinician is preparing for an adult resuscitation. Which finding most strongly indicates cardiac
arrest?
● An unrelated intervention
■ Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing
● A less appropriate alternative
● No intervention is indicated
Answer: Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
19. In a scenario-based ACLS assessment, Which finding most strongly indicates cardiac arrest?
250 Original Practice Questions with Answer Key & Rationales
Study Edition — based on publicly available American Red Cross ALS/ACLS learning objectives and resuscitation guidance. These are original practice
questions, not leaked or reproduced exam items.
1. For an adult in cardiac arrest, which action should begin as soon as possible?
■ Begin high-quality chest compressions
● Give oral medication
● Wait for a physician
● Obtain a full medical history
Answer: Begin high-quality chest compressions
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
2. Which statement best answers this ACLS question: For an adult in cardiac arrest, which action
should begin as soon as possible?
● Wait for a physician
■ Begin high-quality chest compressions
● Obtain a full medical history
● Give oral medication
Answer: Begin high-quality chest compressions
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
3. A clinician is preparing for an adult resuscitation. For an adult in cardiac arrest, which action
should begin as soon as possible?
● Obtain a full medical history
■ Begin high-quality chest compressions
● Give oral medication
● Wait for a physician
Answer: Begin high-quality chest compressions
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
4. In a scenario-based ACLS assessment, For an adult in cardiac arrest, which action should begin as
soon as possible?
● Wait for a physician
■ Begin high-quality chest compressions
● Give oral medication
● Obtain a full medical history
Answer: Begin high-quality chest compressions
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
,5. During advanced life support, For an adult in cardiac arrest, which action should begin as soon as
possible?
● Obtain a full medical history
■ Begin high-quality chest compressions
● Give oral medication
● Wait for a physician
Answer: Begin high-quality chest compressions
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
6. What compression rate is targeted for adult CPR?
■ 100–120 compressions/min
● 140–160/min
● 80–90/min
● 60–80/min
Answer: 100–120 compressions/min
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
7. Which statement best answers this ACLS question: What compression rate is targeted for adult
CPR?
● 140–160/min
● 60–80/min
■ 100–120 compressions/min
● 80–90/min
Answer: 100–120 compressions/min
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
8. A clinician is preparing for an adult resuscitation. What compression rate is targeted for adult
CPR?
● 60–80/min
■ 100–120 compressions/min
● 80–90/min
● 140–160/min
Answer: 100–120 compressions/min
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
9. In a scenario-based ACLS assessment, What compression rate is targeted for adult CPR?
● 60–80/min
● 80–90/min
■ 100–120 compressions/min
● 140–160/min
,Answer: 100–120 compressions/min
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
10. During advanced life support, What compression rate is targeted for adult CPR?
■ 100–120 compressions/min
● 60–80/min
● 140–160/min
● 80–90/min
Answer: 100–120 compressions/min
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
11. What is the recommended adult chest-compression depth?
● About 4 inches
■ At least 2 inches (5 cm)
● About 0.5 inch
● About 1 inch
Answer: At least 2 inches (5 cm)
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
12. Which statement best answers this ACLS question: What is the recommended adult
chest-compression depth?
● About 0.5 inch
● About 1 inch
■ At least 2 inches (5 cm)
● About 4 inches
Answer: At least 2 inches (5 cm)
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
13. A clinician is preparing for an adult resuscitation. What is the recommended adult
chest-compression depth?
● About 1 inch
■ At least 2 inches (5 cm)
● About 4 inches
● About 0.5 inch
Answer: At least 2 inches (5 cm)
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
14. In a scenario-based ACLS assessment, What is the recommended adult chest-compression
depth?
● About 4 inches
● About 0.5 inch
, ■ At least 2 inches (5 cm)
● About 1 inch
Answer: At least 2 inches (5 cm)
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
15. During advanced life support, What is the recommended adult chest-compression depth?
● About 1 inch
● About 4 inches
● About 0.5 inch
■ At least 2 inches (5 cm)
Answer: At least 2 inches (5 cm)
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
16. Which finding most strongly indicates cardiac arrest?
● A less appropriate alternative
■ Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing
● An unrelated intervention
● No intervention is indicated
Answer: Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
17. Which statement best answers this ACLS question: Which finding most strongly indicates
cardiac arrest?
● An unrelated intervention
■ Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing
● No intervention is indicated
● A less appropriate alternative
Answer: Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
18. A clinician is preparing for an adult resuscitation. Which finding most strongly indicates cardiac
arrest?
● An unrelated intervention
■ Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing
● A less appropriate alternative
● No intervention is indicated
Answer: Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing
Rationale: This item tests recognition and application of the core ALS/ACLS principle represented by the correct response.
19. In a scenario-based ACLS assessment, Which finding most strongly indicates cardiac arrest?
