ACLS POST-TEST PRACTICE EXAM
Three Practice Versions • 150 Questions Per Version • Answer Keys &
Rationales
Original study resource — not an actual or official exam.
Includes adult cardiac arrest, shockable/nonshockable rhythms, tachycardia, bradycardia, medications, team
dynamics, reversible causes, ECG interpretation, and post–cardiac arrest care. Selected questions include original
schematic rhythm strips.
Guideline note: AHA guidance was updated in 2025. Confirm the edition required by your course; this packet is not a
reproduction of the 2024 confidential post-test.
Use for learning and self-assessment. In real emergencies, follow current local protocols, trained clinical supervision, and official course
materials.
ACLS Post-Test Practice • Original educational material Page 1
,How to use this packet
Each version contains 150 multiple-choice questions. Complete a version before consulting its answer key. The three
forms use the same original question pool in different orders, so they function as alternate forms for repeated practice
rather than three entirely independent 150-question banks.
Suggested scoring: 1 point per question; total 150 points. The A+ label is a study target, not an official grade or
certification result.
ACLS Post-Test Practice • Original educational material Page 2
,VERSION A — QUESTIONS 1–150
Select the single best answer for each question. Answers and rationales appear after the question section.
1. Which condition is a potential cause of PEA that may require immediate targeted treatment?
A. Stable seasonal allergies
B. Uncomplicated myopia
C. Chronic acne
D. Cardiac tamponade
2. A patient in VF receives a shock. Why is an immediate pulse check usually avoided?
A. A pulse is always present after a shock
B. Defibrillation itself makes the monitor unreadable for 10 minutes
C. The shock rarely produces an immediate organized pulse, and CPR supports perfusion during the next cycle
D. Pulse checks are never allowed during resuscitation
3. A patient has chest pain and signs of acute coronary syndrome but remains responsive with a pulse. Which action is
appropriate?
A. Give epinephrine 1 mg IV every 3 minutes
B. Rapid assessment, ECG, monitoring, and timely ACS pathway activation
C. Start chest compressions immediately in every case
D. Defibrillate the patient while conscious
4. Which team role is responsible for maintaining a global view and directing priorities?
A. Team leader
B. Recorder only
C. Medication runner only
D. Person managing the airway only
5. Which approach is appropriate for glucose management after ROSC?
A. Ignore glucose in all post-arrest patients
B. Give large glucose doses to every patient regardless of level
C. Use glucose alone to predict neurologic outcome
D. Measure glucose and treat clinically significant abnormalities
6. Which is an important feature of effective rescue breaths?
A. Deliver breaths as forcefully as possible
B. Avoid watching the chest
C. Each breath lasts about 1 second and produces visible chest rise
D. Each breath lasts 5 seconds
ACLS Post-Test Practice • Original educational material Page 3
, 7. Which statement about neurologic prognostication after cardiac arrest is best?
A. Make definitive conclusions while sedatives are active
B. Use a multimodal approach and allow adequate time, accounting for confounders
C. Predict outcome from one early exam alone
D. Use one laboratory marker as the sole basis
8. Which action is appropriate when asystole is displayed?
A. Confirm leads/connections and assess rhythm while continuing CPR
B. Deliver repeated high-energy shocks
C. Perform synchronized cardioversion
D. Give adenosine rapidly
9. Which condition is associated with a prolonged QT and risk of torsades?
A. Normal sinus rhythm in all people
B. Hypovolemia alone in every case
C. Atrial pacing in all patients
D. Certain medications or electrolyte disturbances
10. A patient with acute pulmonary edema and tachycardia develops altered mental status and hypotension. What should
guide management?
A. Give oral fluids and discharge
B. Ignore the rhythm if the rate is below 200
C. Treat the unstable rhythm and support airway/breathing/circulation promptly
D. Wait for outpatient Holter monitoring
11. Which is an appropriate management priority in adult cardiac arrest from suspected hypoxia?
A. Treat with adenosine only
B. Optimize airway/ventilation and oxygenation while continuing CPR
C. Withhold ventilation entirely
D. Use synchronized cardioversion
12. After transcutaneous pacing is initiated, what must be assessed?
A. Electrical capture and evidence of mechanical perfusion
B. Only the pacer display rate
C. Only skin color at the pad site
D. Whether the patient can speak before checking pulse
ACLS Post-Test Practice • Original educational material Page 4
Three Practice Versions • 150 Questions Per Version • Answer Keys &
Rationales
Original study resource — not an actual or official exam.
Includes adult cardiac arrest, shockable/nonshockable rhythms, tachycardia, bradycardia, medications, team
dynamics, reversible causes, ECG interpretation, and post–cardiac arrest care. Selected questions include original
schematic rhythm strips.
Guideline note: AHA guidance was updated in 2025. Confirm the edition required by your course; this packet is not a
reproduction of the 2024 confidential post-test.
Use for learning and self-assessment. In real emergencies, follow current local protocols, trained clinical supervision, and official course
materials.
ACLS Post-Test Practice • Original educational material Page 1
,How to use this packet
Each version contains 150 multiple-choice questions. Complete a version before consulting its answer key. The three
forms use the same original question pool in different orders, so they function as alternate forms for repeated practice
rather than three entirely independent 150-question banks.
Suggested scoring: 1 point per question; total 150 points. The A+ label is a study target, not an official grade or
certification result.
ACLS Post-Test Practice • Original educational material Page 2
,VERSION A — QUESTIONS 1–150
Select the single best answer for each question. Answers and rationales appear after the question section.
1. Which condition is a potential cause of PEA that may require immediate targeted treatment?
A. Stable seasonal allergies
B. Uncomplicated myopia
C. Chronic acne
D. Cardiac tamponade
2. A patient in VF receives a shock. Why is an immediate pulse check usually avoided?
A. A pulse is always present after a shock
B. Defibrillation itself makes the monitor unreadable for 10 minutes
C. The shock rarely produces an immediate organized pulse, and CPR supports perfusion during the next cycle
D. Pulse checks are never allowed during resuscitation
3. A patient has chest pain and signs of acute coronary syndrome but remains responsive with a pulse. Which action is
appropriate?
A. Give epinephrine 1 mg IV every 3 minutes
B. Rapid assessment, ECG, monitoring, and timely ACS pathway activation
C. Start chest compressions immediately in every case
D. Defibrillate the patient while conscious
4. Which team role is responsible for maintaining a global view and directing priorities?
A. Team leader
B. Recorder only
C. Medication runner only
D. Person managing the airway only
5. Which approach is appropriate for glucose management after ROSC?
A. Ignore glucose in all post-arrest patients
B. Give large glucose doses to every patient regardless of level
C. Use glucose alone to predict neurologic outcome
D. Measure glucose and treat clinically significant abnormalities
6. Which is an important feature of effective rescue breaths?
A. Deliver breaths as forcefully as possible
B. Avoid watching the chest
C. Each breath lasts about 1 second and produces visible chest rise
D. Each breath lasts 5 seconds
ACLS Post-Test Practice • Original educational material Page 3
, 7. Which statement about neurologic prognostication after cardiac arrest is best?
A. Make definitive conclusions while sedatives are active
B. Use a multimodal approach and allow adequate time, accounting for confounders
C. Predict outcome from one early exam alone
D. Use one laboratory marker as the sole basis
8. Which action is appropriate when asystole is displayed?
A. Confirm leads/connections and assess rhythm while continuing CPR
B. Deliver repeated high-energy shocks
C. Perform synchronized cardioversion
D. Give adenosine rapidly
9. Which condition is associated with a prolonged QT and risk of torsades?
A. Normal sinus rhythm in all people
B. Hypovolemia alone in every case
C. Atrial pacing in all patients
D. Certain medications or electrolyte disturbances
10. A patient with acute pulmonary edema and tachycardia develops altered mental status and hypotension. What should
guide management?
A. Give oral fluids and discharge
B. Ignore the rhythm if the rate is below 200
C. Treat the unstable rhythm and support airway/breathing/circulation promptly
D. Wait for outpatient Holter monitoring
11. Which is an appropriate management priority in adult cardiac arrest from suspected hypoxia?
A. Treat with adenosine only
B. Optimize airway/ventilation and oxygenation while continuing CPR
C. Withhold ventilation entirely
D. Use synchronized cardioversion
12. After transcutaneous pacing is initiated, what must be assessed?
A. Electrical capture and evidence of mechanical perfusion
B. Only the pacer display rate
C. Only skin color at the pad site
D. Whether the patient can speak before checking pulse
ACLS Post-Test Practice • Original educational material Page 4
