AHA ACLS Written Test Questions with Correct
Answer 2026
You find an unresponsive pt. who is not breathing. After activating the emergency response
system, you determine there is no pulse. What is your next action? - CORRECT ANSWER -Start
chest compressions of at least 100 per min.
You are evaluating a 58 year old man with chest pain. The BP is 92/50 and a heart rate of
92/min, non-labored respiratory rate is 14 breaths/min and the pulse O2 is 97%. What
assessment step is most important now? - CORRECT ANSWER -Obtaining a 12 lead ECG.
What is the preferred method of access for epi administration during cardiac arrest in most pts?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Peripheral IV
An AED does not promptly analyze a rythm. What is your next step? - CORRECT ANSWER -Begin
chest compressions.
You have completed 2 min of CPR. The ECG monitor displays the lead below (PEA) and the pt.
has no pulse. You partner resumes chest compressions and an IV is in place. What management
step is your next priority? - CORRECT ANSWER -Administer 1mg of epinepherine
During a pause in CPR, you see a narrow complex rythm on the monitor. The pt. has no pulse.
What is the next action? - CORRECT ANSWER -Resume compressions
What is acommon but sometimes fatal mistake in cardiac arrest management? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Prolonged interruptions in chest compressions.
Which action is a componant of high-quality chest comressions? - CORRECT ANSWER -Allowing
complete chest recoil
, Which action increases the chance of successful conversion of ventricular fibrillation? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Providing quality compressions immediately before a defibrillation attempt.
Which situation BEST describes PEA? - CORRECT ANSWER -Sinus rythm without a pulse
What is the best strategy for perfoming high-quality CPR on a pt.with an advanced airway in
place? - CORRECT ANSWER -Provide continuous chest compressionswithout pauses and 10
ventilations per minute.
3 min after witnessing a cardiac arrest, one memeber of your team inserts an ET tube while
another performs continuous chest comressions. During subsequent bentilation, you notice the
presence of a wavefom on the capnogrophy screen and a PETCO2 of 8 mm Hg. What is the
significance of this finding? - CORRECT ANSWER -Chest compressions may not be effective.
The use of quantitative capnography in intubated pt's does what? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Allowsfor monitoring CPR quality
For the past 25 min, EMS crews have attemptedresuscitation of a pt who originally presented
with V-FIB. After the 1st shock, the ECG screen displayed asystole which has persisted despite 2
doses of epi, a fluid bolus, and high quality CPR. What is your next treatment? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Consider terminating resuscitive efforts after consulting medical control.
Which is a safe and effective practice within the defibrillation sequence? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Be sure O2 is NOT blowing over the pt's chest during shock.
During your assessment, your pt suddenly loses consciousness. After calling for help and
determining that the pt. is not breathing, you are unsure whether the pt. has a pulse. What is
your next action? - CORRECT ANSWER -Begin chest compressions.
Answer 2026
You find an unresponsive pt. who is not breathing. After activating the emergency response
system, you determine there is no pulse. What is your next action? - CORRECT ANSWER -Start
chest compressions of at least 100 per min.
You are evaluating a 58 year old man with chest pain. The BP is 92/50 and a heart rate of
92/min, non-labored respiratory rate is 14 breaths/min and the pulse O2 is 97%. What
assessment step is most important now? - CORRECT ANSWER -Obtaining a 12 lead ECG.
What is the preferred method of access for epi administration during cardiac arrest in most pts?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Peripheral IV
An AED does not promptly analyze a rythm. What is your next step? - CORRECT ANSWER -Begin
chest compressions.
You have completed 2 min of CPR. The ECG monitor displays the lead below (PEA) and the pt.
has no pulse. You partner resumes chest compressions and an IV is in place. What management
step is your next priority? - CORRECT ANSWER -Administer 1mg of epinepherine
During a pause in CPR, you see a narrow complex rythm on the monitor. The pt. has no pulse.
What is the next action? - CORRECT ANSWER -Resume compressions
What is acommon but sometimes fatal mistake in cardiac arrest management? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Prolonged interruptions in chest compressions.
Which action is a componant of high-quality chest comressions? - CORRECT ANSWER -Allowing
complete chest recoil
, Which action increases the chance of successful conversion of ventricular fibrillation? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Providing quality compressions immediately before a defibrillation attempt.
Which situation BEST describes PEA? - CORRECT ANSWER -Sinus rythm without a pulse
What is the best strategy for perfoming high-quality CPR on a pt.with an advanced airway in
place? - CORRECT ANSWER -Provide continuous chest compressionswithout pauses and 10
ventilations per minute.
3 min after witnessing a cardiac arrest, one memeber of your team inserts an ET tube while
another performs continuous chest comressions. During subsequent bentilation, you notice the
presence of a wavefom on the capnogrophy screen and a PETCO2 of 8 mm Hg. What is the
significance of this finding? - CORRECT ANSWER -Chest compressions may not be effective.
The use of quantitative capnography in intubated pt's does what? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Allowsfor monitoring CPR quality
For the past 25 min, EMS crews have attemptedresuscitation of a pt who originally presented
with V-FIB. After the 1st shock, the ECG screen displayed asystole which has persisted despite 2
doses of epi, a fluid bolus, and high quality CPR. What is your next treatment? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Consider terminating resuscitive efforts after consulting medical control.
Which is a safe and effective practice within the defibrillation sequence? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Be sure O2 is NOT blowing over the pt's chest during shock.
During your assessment, your pt suddenly loses consciousness. After calling for help and
determining that the pt. is not breathing, you are unsure whether the pt. has a pulse. What is
your next action? - CORRECT ANSWER -Begin chest compressions.
