ACLS: 2025 AHA ACLS Review QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS/A+ GRADE ASSURED
D. Noncontrast CT scan of the head
The correct answer is D. A critical decision point in the assessmentof the patient with acute
stroke is the performance and interpretation of a noncontrast CT scan to differentiate
ischemic from hemorrhagic stroke. The CT scan should be completed within 20 minutes of the
patient's arrival in the emergency department and should be read within 45 minutes from
emergency department arrival. [ALS Provider Manual, Part 2: Preventing Arrest > Acute
Stroke > Immediate Generaland Neurologic Assessment > Decision Point: Hemorrhage or No
Hemorrhage; page 57]
Which of these tests should be performed for a patient with suspected stroke as soon as
possible but no more than 20 minutes after hospital arrival?
A . 12-Lead ECG
B. Cardiac enzymes
C. Coagulation studies
D. Noncontrast CT scan of the head
A. Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia
The correct answer is A. This ECG rhythm strip shows a monomorphic ventricular tachycardia.
[ACLS Provider Manual, Part 2: Preventing Arrest > Tachycardia: Stable and Unstable >
Rhythms for Unstable Tachycardia; pages 75-76]
Which best describes this rhythm?
A. Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia
B. Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia
C. Supraventricular tachycardia
,D. Ventricular fibrillation
A. Measure from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the mandible
The correct answer is A. To select the appropriate size for an oropharyngeal airway (OPA),
place the OPA against the side of the face. When the flange of the OPA is at the corner of the
mouth, the tip is at the angle of the mandible. Aproperly sized and inserted OPA results ni
proper alignment with the glottic opening. [ACLS Provider Manual, Part :3 High-Performance
Teams > Respiratory Arrest > Basic Airway Adjuncts: OPA > Technique of
O P A Insertion: pace 1071
Which is an acceptable method of selecting an appropriately sized oropharyngeal airway?
A. Measure from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the mandible
B. Measure from the thyroid cartilage to the bottom of the earlobe
C.Estimate by using the formula weight (kg)/8 + 2
D.Estimate by using the size of the patient's finger
B. Give fibrinolytic therapy as soon as possibleand consider endovascular therapy
The correct answer is B. Administer fibrinolytic therapy within 3 hours from onset of
symptoms, or within 4.5 hours in selected patients. Consider endovascular therapy, which
can be administered up to 24 hours from onset of symptoms for patients with large vessel
occlusion. [ACLS Provider Manual, Part 2: Preventing Arrest > Acute Stroke > Approach to
Stroke Care > Critical Time Periods; page 47]
You are caring for a patient with a suspected stroke whose symptoms started 2hours ago. The
CTscan was normal, with no signs of hemorrhage. The patient does not have any
contraindications to fibrinolytic therapy. Which treatment approach is best for this patient?
A. Hold fibrinolytic therapy for 24 hours
B. Give fibrinolytic therapy as soon as possible and consider endovascular therapy
, C. Order an echocardiogram before fibrinolytic administration
D. Wait for the results of the MRI
D. Resume CPR, starting with chest compressions
The correct answer is D. Follow each shock immediately with CPR, beginning with chest
compressions. [ACLS ProviderManual, Part 1: Overview of ACLS > Systematic Approach > BLS
Assessment; page 181
Which is the recommended next step after a defibrillation attempt?
A. Check the ECG for evidence of a rhythm
B. Open the patient's airway
C. Determine fi a carotid pulse is present
D. Resume CPR, starting with chest compressions
C. Agonal gasps
The correct answer is C. Agonal gasps are not normal breathing.They are a sign of cardiac
arrest. Agonal gasps may be present ni the first minutes after sudden cardiac arrest. [ACLS
Provider Manual, Part 3: High- Performance Teams > Cardiac Arrest: VF/pVT > Applying the
Adult Cardiac Arrest Algorithm: VF/pVT Pathway > Caution: AgonalGasps; page 118]
Which of the following signs is a likely indicator of cardiac arrest in an unresponsive patient?
A. Slow, weak pulse rate
B. Cyanosis
C. Agonal gasps
D. Irregular, weak pulse rate
C. Obtaining a 12-lead ECG
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS/A+ GRADE ASSURED
D. Noncontrast CT scan of the head
The correct answer is D. A critical decision point in the assessmentof the patient with acute
stroke is the performance and interpretation of a noncontrast CT scan to differentiate
ischemic from hemorrhagic stroke. The CT scan should be completed within 20 minutes of the
patient's arrival in the emergency department and should be read within 45 minutes from
emergency department arrival. [ALS Provider Manual, Part 2: Preventing Arrest > Acute
Stroke > Immediate Generaland Neurologic Assessment > Decision Point: Hemorrhage or No
Hemorrhage; page 57]
Which of these tests should be performed for a patient with suspected stroke as soon as
possible but no more than 20 minutes after hospital arrival?
A . 12-Lead ECG
B. Cardiac enzymes
C. Coagulation studies
D. Noncontrast CT scan of the head
A. Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia
The correct answer is A. This ECG rhythm strip shows a monomorphic ventricular tachycardia.
[ACLS Provider Manual, Part 2: Preventing Arrest > Tachycardia: Stable and Unstable >
Rhythms for Unstable Tachycardia; pages 75-76]
Which best describes this rhythm?
A. Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia
B. Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia
C. Supraventricular tachycardia
,D. Ventricular fibrillation
A. Measure from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the mandible
The correct answer is A. To select the appropriate size for an oropharyngeal airway (OPA),
place the OPA against the side of the face. When the flange of the OPA is at the corner of the
mouth, the tip is at the angle of the mandible. Aproperly sized and inserted OPA results ni
proper alignment with the glottic opening. [ACLS Provider Manual, Part :3 High-Performance
Teams > Respiratory Arrest > Basic Airway Adjuncts: OPA > Technique of
O P A Insertion: pace 1071
Which is an acceptable method of selecting an appropriately sized oropharyngeal airway?
A. Measure from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the mandible
B. Measure from the thyroid cartilage to the bottom of the earlobe
C.Estimate by using the formula weight (kg)/8 + 2
D.Estimate by using the size of the patient's finger
B. Give fibrinolytic therapy as soon as possibleand consider endovascular therapy
The correct answer is B. Administer fibrinolytic therapy within 3 hours from onset of
symptoms, or within 4.5 hours in selected patients. Consider endovascular therapy, which
can be administered up to 24 hours from onset of symptoms for patients with large vessel
occlusion. [ACLS Provider Manual, Part 2: Preventing Arrest > Acute Stroke > Approach to
Stroke Care > Critical Time Periods; page 47]
You are caring for a patient with a suspected stroke whose symptoms started 2hours ago. The
CTscan was normal, with no signs of hemorrhage. The patient does not have any
contraindications to fibrinolytic therapy. Which treatment approach is best for this patient?
A. Hold fibrinolytic therapy for 24 hours
B. Give fibrinolytic therapy as soon as possible and consider endovascular therapy
, C. Order an echocardiogram before fibrinolytic administration
D. Wait for the results of the MRI
D. Resume CPR, starting with chest compressions
The correct answer is D. Follow each shock immediately with CPR, beginning with chest
compressions. [ACLS ProviderManual, Part 1: Overview of ACLS > Systematic Approach > BLS
Assessment; page 181
Which is the recommended next step after a defibrillation attempt?
A. Check the ECG for evidence of a rhythm
B. Open the patient's airway
C. Determine fi a carotid pulse is present
D. Resume CPR, starting with chest compressions
C. Agonal gasps
The correct answer is C. Agonal gasps are not normal breathing.They are a sign of cardiac
arrest. Agonal gasps may be present ni the first minutes after sudden cardiac arrest. [ACLS
Provider Manual, Part 3: High- Performance Teams > Cardiac Arrest: VF/pVT > Applying the
Adult Cardiac Arrest Algorithm: VF/pVT Pathway > Caution: AgonalGasps; page 118]
Which of the following signs is a likely indicator of cardiac arrest in an unresponsive patient?
A. Slow, weak pulse rate
B. Cyanosis
C. Agonal gasps
D. Irregular, weak pulse rate
C. Obtaining a 12-lead ECG