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ACLS EXAM VERSION A & B PRACTICE EXAM
BANK: 100 VERIFIED QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES
Health Sciences / Medicine / Nursing / Allied Health
Exam coverage:
• Section 1, Questions 1-25: High-Quality CPR &
Defibrillation: Covers compression quality, defibrillation
safety, PEA, and termination decisions.
• Section 2, Questions 26-50: Bradycardia & Tachycardia
Management: Focuses on atropine dosing, cardioversion,
adenosine administration, and stable vs. unstable
tachycardia management.
• Section 3, Questions 51-75: Airway Management &
Pharmacology: Emphasizes capnography, ventilation rates,
and cardiac arrest medications.
• Section 4, Questions 76-100: Megacode Scenarios &
Team Dynamics: Covers Hs and Ts, stroke, post-ROSC
care, and team leadership
Section 1: Questions 1-25: High-Quality CPR & Defibrillation
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1. A patient experiences cardiac arrest, and the
resuscitation team initiates ventilations using a bag-valve-
mask (BVM) resuscitator. The development of which
condition during the provision of care would lead the team to
suspect that improper BVM technique is being used?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Hyperventilation
C. Gastric insufflation
D. All of the above
CORRECT ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: Complications can occur with BVM use due to
improper technique. Delivering excessive volume or ventilating
too fast creates excessive pressure that can damage the
airways, lungs, and other organs. Excessive volume can lead to
tension pneumothorax, gastric insufflation, and
hyperventilation .
2. Which of the following statements is NOT part of high-
quality CPR?
A. Minimizing interruptions of compressions
B. Allow the thorax to rise after each compression
C. Maintain a 15:2 ratio
D. Avoid excessive ventilation
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: High-quality CPR includes minimizing
interruptions, allowing full chest recoil, and avoiding excessive
ventilation. However, the compression-ventilation ratio of 15:2
is not standard for adult CPR. The correct ratio for adults with
an unsecured airway is 30:2 .
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3. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio in
adult CPR with no advanced airway?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
C. 10:1
D. 5:1
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The recommended ratio for adults without an
advanced airway is 30 compressions to 2 breaths to maintain
circulation and oxygenation .
4. What depth should chest compressions be for adults?
A. At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B. At least 2 inches (5 cm)
C. At least 3 inches (7.5 cm)
D. At least 1.5 inches (4 cm)
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Compressions must be at least 2 inches (5 cm)
deep to generate adequate blood flow during cardiac arrest .
5. During CPR with the patient intubated using capnography,
what EtCO2 value indicates adequate perfusion and
effective CPR?
A. ≥ 20 mmHg
B. ≥ 10 mmHg
C. ≥ 35 mmHg
D. ≥ 5 mmHg
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CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: An EtCO2 value of ≥ 10 mmHg indicates adequate
perfusion and effective CPR. Values below 10 mmHg suggest
poor CPR quality or inadequate circulation, while higher values
(e.g., ≥ 35 mmHg) may indicate return of spontaneous
circulation (ROSC) .
6. What is the recommended compression rate during CPR?
A. 60-80 per minute
B. 100-120 per minute
C. 80-100 per minute
D. 120-140 per minute
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: High-quality CPR requires a compression rate
between 100-120 per minute .
7. How often should rhythm checks occur during CPR?
A. Every 1 minute
B. Every 2 minutes
C. Every 3 minutes
D. Every 5 minutes
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Rhythm checks are done every 2 minutes to
reduce interruptions in compressions .
8. What is the recommended dose of epinephrine in cardiac
arrest?
A. 0.5 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes
B. 1 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes
ACLS EXAM VERSION A & B PRACTICE EXAM
BANK: 100 VERIFIED QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES
Health Sciences / Medicine / Nursing / Allied Health
Exam coverage:
• Section 1, Questions 1-25: High-Quality CPR &
Defibrillation: Covers compression quality, defibrillation
safety, PEA, and termination decisions.
• Section 2, Questions 26-50: Bradycardia & Tachycardia
Management: Focuses on atropine dosing, cardioversion,
adenosine administration, and stable vs. unstable
tachycardia management.
• Section 3, Questions 51-75: Airway Management &
Pharmacology: Emphasizes capnography, ventilation rates,
and cardiac arrest medications.
• Section 4, Questions 76-100: Megacode Scenarios &
Team Dynamics: Covers Hs and Ts, stroke, post-ROSC
care, and team leadership
Section 1: Questions 1-25: High-Quality CPR & Defibrillation
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1. A patient experiences cardiac arrest, and the
resuscitation team initiates ventilations using a bag-valve-
mask (BVM) resuscitator. The development of which
condition during the provision of care would lead the team to
suspect that improper BVM technique is being used?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Hyperventilation
C. Gastric insufflation
D. All of the above
CORRECT ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: Complications can occur with BVM use due to
improper technique. Delivering excessive volume or ventilating
too fast creates excessive pressure that can damage the
airways, lungs, and other organs. Excessive volume can lead to
tension pneumothorax, gastric insufflation, and
hyperventilation .
2. Which of the following statements is NOT part of high-
quality CPR?
A. Minimizing interruptions of compressions
B. Allow the thorax to rise after each compression
C. Maintain a 15:2 ratio
D. Avoid excessive ventilation
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: High-quality CPR includes minimizing
interruptions, allowing full chest recoil, and avoiding excessive
ventilation. However, the compression-ventilation ratio of 15:2
is not standard for adult CPR. The correct ratio for adults with
an unsecured airway is 30:2 .
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3. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio in
adult CPR with no advanced airway?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
C. 10:1
D. 5:1
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The recommended ratio for adults without an
advanced airway is 30 compressions to 2 breaths to maintain
circulation and oxygenation .
4. What depth should chest compressions be for adults?
A. At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B. At least 2 inches (5 cm)
C. At least 3 inches (7.5 cm)
D. At least 1.5 inches (4 cm)
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Compressions must be at least 2 inches (5 cm)
deep to generate adequate blood flow during cardiac arrest .
5. During CPR with the patient intubated using capnography,
what EtCO2 value indicates adequate perfusion and
effective CPR?
A. ≥ 20 mmHg
B. ≥ 10 mmHg
C. ≥ 35 mmHg
D. ≥ 5 mmHg
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CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: An EtCO2 value of ≥ 10 mmHg indicates adequate
perfusion and effective CPR. Values below 10 mmHg suggest
poor CPR quality or inadequate circulation, while higher values
(e.g., ≥ 35 mmHg) may indicate return of spontaneous
circulation (ROSC) .
6. What is the recommended compression rate during CPR?
A. 60-80 per minute
B. 100-120 per minute
C. 80-100 per minute
D. 120-140 per minute
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: High-quality CPR requires a compression rate
between 100-120 per minute .
7. How often should rhythm checks occur during CPR?
A. Every 1 minute
B. Every 2 minutes
C. Every 3 minutes
D. Every 5 minutes
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Rhythm checks are done every 2 minutes to
reduce interruptions in compressions .
8. What is the recommended dose of epinephrine in cardiac
arrest?
A. 0.5 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes
B. 1 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes
