ACLS HEARTCODE EXAM STUDY GUIDE
2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS || 100%
GUARANTEED PASS <RECENT VERSION>
Part 1: Basic Life Support (BLS) & High-Quality CPR
1. What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for adult CPR when one or
two rescuers are present?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
C. 5:1
D. 10:2
Answer: B. The AHA standard for adult CPR is 30 chest compressions to 2 ventilations,
regardless of the number of rescuers.
2. What is the correct depth for chest compressions in an adult victim?
A. At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B. At least 2 inches (5 cm)
C. At least 1.5 inches (4 cm)
D. 2.5 inches (6 cm)
Answer: B. Compressions should be at least 2 inches (5 cm) deep but not greater than 2.4 inches
(6 cm) to avoid over-compression injuries.
3. What is the recommended rate for performing chest compressions?
A. 60-80 per minute
B. 90-100 per minute
C. 100-120 per minute
D. 120-140 per minute
Answer: C. Compressions should be delivered at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute.
4. After delivering a shock with an AED, what is the immediate next action?
A. Check for a pulse.
B. Open the airway and give 2 rescue breaths.
C. Resume chest compressions immediately.
D. Re-analyze the rhythm.
,Answer: C. Minimize interruptions in chest compressions. Immediately resume CPR beginning
with compressions after a shock is delivered.
5. The chain of survival for adults in order is:
A. Recognition, CPR, Defibrillation, Advanced Care, Post-Cardiac Arrest Care
B. Recognition, Defibrillation, CPR, Advanced Care, Post-Cardiac Arrest Care
C. Recognition, CPR, Defibrillation, Advanced Care, Recovery
D. Recognition, Activation, CPR, Defibrillation, Post-Cardiac Arrest Care, Recovery
Answer: C. The adult in-hospital and out-of-hospital chains both emphasize immediate
recognition/activation, high-quality CPR, defibrillation, advanced care, and then post-cardiac
arrest care, with recovery as the final link.
Part 2: The ACLS Survey (A-B-C-D)
6. The "A" in the ACLS Primary Survey stands for:
A. Airway
B. Assess
C. Attach monitor/defibrillator
D. All of the above
Answer: D. In the ACLS Primary Survey, "A" encompasses assessing the patient, ensuring a
patent airway, and attaching the monitor/defibrillator.
7. During the BLS Assessment, after determining unresponsiveness, your next step is to:
A. Check for a pulse.
B. Activate the emergency response system/get an AED.
C. Check for breathing.
D. Simultaneously check for breathing and a pulse.
Answer: D. For an unresponsive victim, you should simultaneously check for absent or
abnormal breathing (e.g., gasping) and a pulse, all within 5-10 seconds.
8. The "C" in the ACLS Primary Survey focuses on:
A. Circulation, CPR, and establishing IV/IO access.
B. Compressions only.
C. Checking the carotid pulse.
D. Cardiac monitoring.
Answer: A. "C" stands for Circulation, which involves performing high-quality CPR,
defibrillating if needed, and establishing intravenous/intraosseous access.
9. The "D" in the ACLS Primary Survey stands for:
A. Defibrillation
B. Differential Diagnosis
, C. Drug Administration
D. Decompression
Answer: B. "D" is for Differential Diagnosis. This is a critical thinking step to search for and
treat any underlying, reversible causes of the arrest.
10. Which of the following is part of the "D" (Differential Diagnosis) step?
A. Giving Epinephrine
B. Performing a 12-lead ECG
C. Considering the H's and T's
D. Securing the airway
Answer: C. The H's and T's (Hypovolemia, Hypoxia, Hydrogen ion (acidosis), etc.) are the
reversible causes considered during the Differential Diagnosis phase.
Part 3: Airway Management
11. The preferred method for confirming correct endotracheal tube placement in a cardiac
arrest situation is:
A. Chest X-ray
B. Clinical assessment and waveform capnography.
C. Auscultation of breath sounds only.
D. Observation of chest rise.
Answer: B. Waveform capnography is the most reliable method per AHA guidelines to confirm
and continuously monitor endotracheal tube placement.
12. During CPR with an advanced airway in place, how are ventilations delivered?
A. 2 breaths every 30 compressions, pausing for breaths.
B. 1 breath every 6-8 seconds (10-12 breaths/minute) without pausing compressions.
C. 1 breath every 10 seconds.
D. 2 breaths every 15 compressions.
Answer: B. Once an advanced airway is placed, ventilations are given continuously at a rate of 1
breath every 6-8 seconds (10-12/min) without pausing chest compressions.
13. The first step in managing a patient with a suspected opioid overdose who has a
decreased level of consciousness and respiratory depression is:
A. Administer Naloxone.
B. Provide bag-mask ventilation.
C. Perform a sternal rub.
D. Insert an oropharyngeal airway.
Answer: B. Always support the patient's ventilation and oxygenation first. While Naloxone is an
antidote, the immediate life threat is hypoxia, which must be managed with assisted ventilation.
2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS || 100%
GUARANTEED PASS <RECENT VERSION>
Part 1: Basic Life Support (BLS) & High-Quality CPR
1. What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for adult CPR when one or
two rescuers are present?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
C. 5:1
D. 10:2
Answer: B. The AHA standard for adult CPR is 30 chest compressions to 2 ventilations,
regardless of the number of rescuers.
2. What is the correct depth for chest compressions in an adult victim?
A. At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B. At least 2 inches (5 cm)
C. At least 1.5 inches (4 cm)
D. 2.5 inches (6 cm)
Answer: B. Compressions should be at least 2 inches (5 cm) deep but not greater than 2.4 inches
(6 cm) to avoid over-compression injuries.
3. What is the recommended rate for performing chest compressions?
A. 60-80 per minute
B. 90-100 per minute
C. 100-120 per minute
D. 120-140 per minute
Answer: C. Compressions should be delivered at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute.
4. After delivering a shock with an AED, what is the immediate next action?
A. Check for a pulse.
B. Open the airway and give 2 rescue breaths.
C. Resume chest compressions immediately.
D. Re-analyze the rhythm.
,Answer: C. Minimize interruptions in chest compressions. Immediately resume CPR beginning
with compressions after a shock is delivered.
5. The chain of survival for adults in order is:
A. Recognition, CPR, Defibrillation, Advanced Care, Post-Cardiac Arrest Care
B. Recognition, Defibrillation, CPR, Advanced Care, Post-Cardiac Arrest Care
C. Recognition, CPR, Defibrillation, Advanced Care, Recovery
D. Recognition, Activation, CPR, Defibrillation, Post-Cardiac Arrest Care, Recovery
Answer: C. The adult in-hospital and out-of-hospital chains both emphasize immediate
recognition/activation, high-quality CPR, defibrillation, advanced care, and then post-cardiac
arrest care, with recovery as the final link.
Part 2: The ACLS Survey (A-B-C-D)
6. The "A" in the ACLS Primary Survey stands for:
A. Airway
B. Assess
C. Attach monitor/defibrillator
D. All of the above
Answer: D. In the ACLS Primary Survey, "A" encompasses assessing the patient, ensuring a
patent airway, and attaching the monitor/defibrillator.
7. During the BLS Assessment, after determining unresponsiveness, your next step is to:
A. Check for a pulse.
B. Activate the emergency response system/get an AED.
C. Check for breathing.
D. Simultaneously check for breathing and a pulse.
Answer: D. For an unresponsive victim, you should simultaneously check for absent or
abnormal breathing (e.g., gasping) and a pulse, all within 5-10 seconds.
8. The "C" in the ACLS Primary Survey focuses on:
A. Circulation, CPR, and establishing IV/IO access.
B. Compressions only.
C. Checking the carotid pulse.
D. Cardiac monitoring.
Answer: A. "C" stands for Circulation, which involves performing high-quality CPR,
defibrillating if needed, and establishing intravenous/intraosseous access.
9. The "D" in the ACLS Primary Survey stands for:
A. Defibrillation
B. Differential Diagnosis
, C. Drug Administration
D. Decompression
Answer: B. "D" is for Differential Diagnosis. This is a critical thinking step to search for and
treat any underlying, reversible causes of the arrest.
10. Which of the following is part of the "D" (Differential Diagnosis) step?
A. Giving Epinephrine
B. Performing a 12-lead ECG
C. Considering the H's and T's
D. Securing the airway
Answer: C. The H's and T's (Hypovolemia, Hypoxia, Hydrogen ion (acidosis), etc.) are the
reversible causes considered during the Differential Diagnosis phase.
Part 3: Airway Management
11. The preferred method for confirming correct endotracheal tube placement in a cardiac
arrest situation is:
A. Chest X-ray
B. Clinical assessment and waveform capnography.
C. Auscultation of breath sounds only.
D. Observation of chest rise.
Answer: B. Waveform capnography is the most reliable method per AHA guidelines to confirm
and continuously monitor endotracheal tube placement.
12. During CPR with an advanced airway in place, how are ventilations delivered?
A. 2 breaths every 30 compressions, pausing for breaths.
B. 1 breath every 6-8 seconds (10-12 breaths/minute) without pausing compressions.
C. 1 breath every 10 seconds.
D. 2 breaths every 15 compressions.
Answer: B. Once an advanced airway is placed, ventilations are given continuously at a rate of 1
breath every 6-8 seconds (10-12/min) without pausing chest compressions.
13. The first step in managing a patient with a suspected opioid overdose who has a
decreased level of consciousness and respiratory depression is:
A. Administer Naloxone.
B. Provide bag-mask ventilation.
C. Perform a sternal rub.
D. Insert an oropharyngeal airway.
Answer: B. Always support the patient's ventilation and oxygenation first. While Naloxone is an
antidote, the immediate life threat is hypoxia, which must be managed with assisted ventilation.
