American Red Cross-ACLS-Final Exam Questions
with Correct Answers 2026
A patient is in cardiac arrest. The cardiac monitor shows asystole. In addition to providing
continuous high-quality CPR, what is the other priority intervention for this patient? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Administering epinephrine as early as possible
A patient has experienced return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after cardiac arrest. The
healthcare team is conducting a secondary assessment to determine the possible cause of the
patient's cardiac arrest. Before the arrest, the patient exhibited jugular venous distension,
cyanosis, apnea and hyperresonance on percussion. The patient was also difficult to ventilate
during the response. The team would most likely suspect which condition as the cause? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Tension Pneumothorax
A patient with suspected stroke arrives at the emergency department. The patient is diagnosed
with acute ischemic stroke and is a candidate for fibrinolytic therapy. To achieve the best
outcomes, this therapy should be initiated within what time frame? - CORRECT ANSWER -Within
1 hour of patient's arrival.
A patient in the telemetry unit is receiving continuous cardiac monitoring. The patient has a
history of myocardial infarction. The patient's ECG rhythm strip is shown in the following figure.
The provider interprets this strip as indicating which arrhythmia? - CORRECT ANSWER -Third-
degree AV block
A 28-year-old pregnant patient who resides in transitional housing presents to the emergency
department with complaints of feeling feverish and very faint. The patient tells the emergency
nurse that she does not know when she became pregnant. Upon palpation, the fundus is not at
or above the umbilicus. The patient's condition quickly deteriorates and she goes into cardiac
arrest. If available and able to be used without impeding or delaying the resuscitation effort,
what diagnostic tool could be used to guide decision-making in the care of this patient? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Point-of-care ultrasound
, Cardiac monitoring indicates that a patient has a ventricular tachyarrhythmia. The patient has a
pulse and is not showing any signs of hemodynamic compromise. A 12-lead ECG reveals an
irregular rhythm with QRS complexes greater than 0.12 second in duration. Which action would
be appropriate at this time? - CORRECT ANSWER -Consider an antiarrhythmic medication
A responsive patient is choking. What method should the provider use first to clear the
obstructed airway? - CORRECT ANSWER -Back blows
What is the priority intervention for a patient with a narrow-complex tachycardia (160 bpm) and
a blood pressure of 72/48 mmHg? - CORRECT ANSWER -Perform immediate synchronized
cardioversion
A patient is admitted to the emergency department with signs and symptoms of stroke. The
stroke team should complete a comprehensive neurologic assessment and obtain brain imaging
results within what time frame? - CORRECT ANSWER -Within 20 minutes
Cardiac monitoring of a patient in cardiac arrest reveals ventricular fibrillation. In addition to
high-quality CPR, what intervention should be a priority for the team? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Defibrillation.
A patient with suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS) has a pulse oximetry reading of 86%
and is given supplemental oxygen. The provider determines that the supplemental oxygen dose
is correct based on which SaO2 level? - CORRECT ANSWER -93%
After cardiac arrest and successful resuscitation, the patient has a return of spontaneous
circulation. The patient is unable to follow verbal commands. Targeted temperature
management is initiated. Which method(s) would be appropriate for the resuscitation team to
use? - CORRECT ANSWER --Applying cooling blankets to the patient's body
-Using an endovascular catheter
-Giving an ice-cold IV fluid bolus
with Correct Answers 2026
A patient is in cardiac arrest. The cardiac monitor shows asystole. In addition to providing
continuous high-quality CPR, what is the other priority intervention for this patient? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Administering epinephrine as early as possible
A patient has experienced return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after cardiac arrest. The
healthcare team is conducting a secondary assessment to determine the possible cause of the
patient's cardiac arrest. Before the arrest, the patient exhibited jugular venous distension,
cyanosis, apnea and hyperresonance on percussion. The patient was also difficult to ventilate
during the response. The team would most likely suspect which condition as the cause? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Tension Pneumothorax
A patient with suspected stroke arrives at the emergency department. The patient is diagnosed
with acute ischemic stroke and is a candidate for fibrinolytic therapy. To achieve the best
outcomes, this therapy should be initiated within what time frame? - CORRECT ANSWER -Within
1 hour of patient's arrival.
A patient in the telemetry unit is receiving continuous cardiac monitoring. The patient has a
history of myocardial infarction. The patient's ECG rhythm strip is shown in the following figure.
The provider interprets this strip as indicating which arrhythmia? - CORRECT ANSWER -Third-
degree AV block
A 28-year-old pregnant patient who resides in transitional housing presents to the emergency
department with complaints of feeling feverish and very faint. The patient tells the emergency
nurse that she does not know when she became pregnant. Upon palpation, the fundus is not at
or above the umbilicus. The patient's condition quickly deteriorates and she goes into cardiac
arrest. If available and able to be used without impeding or delaying the resuscitation effort,
what diagnostic tool could be used to guide decision-making in the care of this patient? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Point-of-care ultrasound
, Cardiac monitoring indicates that a patient has a ventricular tachyarrhythmia. The patient has a
pulse and is not showing any signs of hemodynamic compromise. A 12-lead ECG reveals an
irregular rhythm with QRS complexes greater than 0.12 second in duration. Which action would
be appropriate at this time? - CORRECT ANSWER -Consider an antiarrhythmic medication
A responsive patient is choking. What method should the provider use first to clear the
obstructed airway? - CORRECT ANSWER -Back blows
What is the priority intervention for a patient with a narrow-complex tachycardia (160 bpm) and
a blood pressure of 72/48 mmHg? - CORRECT ANSWER -Perform immediate synchronized
cardioversion
A patient is admitted to the emergency department with signs and symptoms of stroke. The
stroke team should complete a comprehensive neurologic assessment and obtain brain imaging
results within what time frame? - CORRECT ANSWER -Within 20 minutes
Cardiac monitoring of a patient in cardiac arrest reveals ventricular fibrillation. In addition to
high-quality CPR, what intervention should be a priority for the team? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Defibrillation.
A patient with suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS) has a pulse oximetry reading of 86%
and is given supplemental oxygen. The provider determines that the supplemental oxygen dose
is correct based on which SaO2 level? - CORRECT ANSWER -93%
After cardiac arrest and successful resuscitation, the patient has a return of spontaneous
circulation. The patient is unable to follow verbal commands. Targeted temperature
management is initiated. Which method(s) would be appropriate for the resuscitation team to
use? - CORRECT ANSWER --Applying cooling blankets to the patient's body
-Using an endovascular catheter
-Giving an ice-cold IV fluid bolus
