ACLS Exam Practice Test Questions with
Correct Answers 2026
Chest compressions for an adult are performed:
a. at a rate between 60-80 compressions
b. at a rate of at least 80 compressions per minute
c. at a rate between 80-100 compressions per minute
d. at a rate between 100-120 compressions per minute - CORRECT ANSWER -d. at a rate
between 100-120 compressions per minute
The ratio of compressions to breaths in adults is:
a. 15:1
b. 10:2
c. 20:2
d. 30:2 - CORRECT ANSWER -d. 30:2
*No matter how many rescuers are available (in adults), the correct ratio is 30 to 2.
An adult patient in respiratory arrest with a pulse is ventilated via bag valve mask:
a. 8-10 times per minute
b. 10-12 times per minute
c. 12-14 times per minute
d. 14-16 times per minute - CORRECT ANSWER -b. 10-12 times per minute
*When there is no advanced airway in place, ventilations should be given 10 to 12 times per
minute. This translates to one ventilation every 5 to 6 seconds.
Hypotension following cardiac arrest is NOT treated with:
a. IV calcium infusion
, b. IV dopamine infusion
c. IV epinephrine infusion
d. IV ringer's lactate or IV normal saline - CORRECT ANSWER -a. IV calcium infusion
*Fluid resuscitation and/or "pressors" like epinephrine and dopamine are used to maintain
blood pressure after cardiac arrest. Hypocalcemia, if present, can be treated separately but this
is not a standard treatment for hypotension.
The leader in team resuscitation must:
a. be able to perform all the skills if needed
b. be certified as a leader
c. be a physician
d. undergo leadership training - CORRECT ANSWER -a. be able to perform all the skills if needed
*There is no special training required to be a team leader other than the ability to perform all
facets of the resuscitation, if needed. While the team leader is often a physician, this is not
essential as long as a team member is capable of prescribing ACLS medications.
Recommended ED door to balloon inflation time for a STEMI patient is:
a. no longer than 15 minutes
b. no longer than 30 minutes
c. no longer than 60 minutes
d. no longer than 90 minutes - CORRECT ANSWER -d. no longer than 90 minutes
*Programs should be set up to have STEMI patients diagnosed, evaluated, and treated within 90
minutes of arriving to the emergency department
The effectiveness of CPR can be estimated by:
a. arterial diastolic blood pressure
b. quantitative waveform capnography
Correct Answers 2026
Chest compressions for an adult are performed:
a. at a rate between 60-80 compressions
b. at a rate of at least 80 compressions per minute
c. at a rate between 80-100 compressions per minute
d. at a rate between 100-120 compressions per minute - CORRECT ANSWER -d. at a rate
between 100-120 compressions per minute
The ratio of compressions to breaths in adults is:
a. 15:1
b. 10:2
c. 20:2
d. 30:2 - CORRECT ANSWER -d. 30:2
*No matter how many rescuers are available (in adults), the correct ratio is 30 to 2.
An adult patient in respiratory arrest with a pulse is ventilated via bag valve mask:
a. 8-10 times per minute
b. 10-12 times per minute
c. 12-14 times per minute
d. 14-16 times per minute - CORRECT ANSWER -b. 10-12 times per minute
*When there is no advanced airway in place, ventilations should be given 10 to 12 times per
minute. This translates to one ventilation every 5 to 6 seconds.
Hypotension following cardiac arrest is NOT treated with:
a. IV calcium infusion
, b. IV dopamine infusion
c. IV epinephrine infusion
d. IV ringer's lactate or IV normal saline - CORRECT ANSWER -a. IV calcium infusion
*Fluid resuscitation and/or "pressors" like epinephrine and dopamine are used to maintain
blood pressure after cardiac arrest. Hypocalcemia, if present, can be treated separately but this
is not a standard treatment for hypotension.
The leader in team resuscitation must:
a. be able to perform all the skills if needed
b. be certified as a leader
c. be a physician
d. undergo leadership training - CORRECT ANSWER -a. be able to perform all the skills if needed
*There is no special training required to be a team leader other than the ability to perform all
facets of the resuscitation, if needed. While the team leader is often a physician, this is not
essential as long as a team member is capable of prescribing ACLS medications.
Recommended ED door to balloon inflation time for a STEMI patient is:
a. no longer than 15 minutes
b. no longer than 30 minutes
c. no longer than 60 minutes
d. no longer than 90 minutes - CORRECT ANSWER -d. no longer than 90 minutes
*Programs should be set up to have STEMI patients diagnosed, evaluated, and treated within 90
minutes of arriving to the emergency department
The effectiveness of CPR can be estimated by:
a. arterial diastolic blood pressure
b. quantitative waveform capnography
