ACLS 2026 Practice Exam & Verified Solutions
| Graded A+
Your patient is in cardiac arrest and has been intubated. To assess CPR quality, which
should you do?
a. obtain a chest xray
b. check the patient's pulse
c. monitor the patient's PETCO2
d. obtain a 12-lead ECG - correct answerc. monitor the patient's PETCO2
What is an effect of excessive ventilation?
a. decreased intrathoracic pressure
b. increased perfusion pressures
c. decreased cardiac output
d. increased venous return - correct answerc. decreased cardiac output
In addition to clinical assessment, which is the most reliable method to confirm and
monitor correct placement of an endotracheal tube?
a. arterial blood gas
b. continuous waveform capnography
c. chest radiography
d. hemoglobin level - correct answerb. continuous waveform capnography
Which is the recommended next step after a defibrillation attempt?
a. open the patient's airway
b. determine if a carotid pulse is present
c. resume CPR, starting with chest compressions
d. check the ECG for evidence of a rhythm - correct answerc. resume CPR, starting with
chest compressions
Which is the maximum interval you should allow for an interruption in chest
compressions?
a. 15 seconds
b. 20 seconds
c. 25 seconds
d. 10 seconds - correct answerd. 10 seconds
A patient has a witnessed loss of consciousness. The lead II ECG reveals this rhythm.
Which is the appropriate treatment?
, a. administration of epinephrine 1 mg IV push
b. administration of adenosine 6 mg IV push
c. defibrillation
d. synchronized cardioversion - correct answerc. defibrillation
Three minutes into a cardiac arrest resuscitation attempt, one member of your team
insert an endotracheal tube while another performs chest compressions. Capnography
shows a persistent waveform and a PETCO2 of 8 mm Hg. Which is the significance of
this finding?
a. the endotracheal tue is in the esophagus
b. the patient meets the criteria for termination of efforts
c. the team is ventilating the patient too often (hyperventilation)
d. chest compressions may not be effective - correct answerd. chest compressions may
not be effective
Which is the primary purpose of a medical emergency team or rapid response team?
a. providing online consultation to EMS personnel in the field
b. improving care for patients admitted to critical care units
c. improving patient care outcomes by identifying and treating early clinical deterioration
d. providing diagnostic consultation to emergency department patients - correct
answerc. improving patient care outcomes by identifying and treating early clinical
deterioration
How can you increase chest compression fraction during a code?
a. initiate intravenous or intraosseous access during the 2-minute cycle
b. interchange the ventilator and compressor during a rhythm check
c. charge the defibrillator 15 seconds before conducting a rhythm check
d. administer epinephrine during the 2-minute cycle - correct answerc. charge the
defibrillator 15 seconds before conducting a rhythm check
Which facility is the most appropriate EMS destination for a patient with sudden cardiac
arrest who achieved return of spontaneous circulation in the field?
a. acute rehabilitation care unit
b. coronary reperfusion-capable medical center
c. comprehensive stroke care unit
d. acute long-term care unit - correct answerb. coronary reperfusion-capable medical
center
A 45-year-old man had coronary artery stents placed 2 days ago. Today, he is in severe
distress and is reporting "crushing" chest discomfort. He is pale, diaphoretic, and cool to
the touch. His radial pulse is very weak, blood pressure is 64/40 mm Hg, respiratory
| Graded A+
Your patient is in cardiac arrest and has been intubated. To assess CPR quality, which
should you do?
a. obtain a chest xray
b. check the patient's pulse
c. monitor the patient's PETCO2
d. obtain a 12-lead ECG - correct answerc. monitor the patient's PETCO2
What is an effect of excessive ventilation?
a. decreased intrathoracic pressure
b. increased perfusion pressures
c. decreased cardiac output
d. increased venous return - correct answerc. decreased cardiac output
In addition to clinical assessment, which is the most reliable method to confirm and
monitor correct placement of an endotracheal tube?
a. arterial blood gas
b. continuous waveform capnography
c. chest radiography
d. hemoglobin level - correct answerb. continuous waveform capnography
Which is the recommended next step after a defibrillation attempt?
a. open the patient's airway
b. determine if a carotid pulse is present
c. resume CPR, starting with chest compressions
d. check the ECG for evidence of a rhythm - correct answerc. resume CPR, starting with
chest compressions
Which is the maximum interval you should allow for an interruption in chest
compressions?
a. 15 seconds
b. 20 seconds
c. 25 seconds
d. 10 seconds - correct answerd. 10 seconds
A patient has a witnessed loss of consciousness. The lead II ECG reveals this rhythm.
Which is the appropriate treatment?
, a. administration of epinephrine 1 mg IV push
b. administration of adenosine 6 mg IV push
c. defibrillation
d. synchronized cardioversion - correct answerc. defibrillation
Three minutes into a cardiac arrest resuscitation attempt, one member of your team
insert an endotracheal tube while another performs chest compressions. Capnography
shows a persistent waveform and a PETCO2 of 8 mm Hg. Which is the significance of
this finding?
a. the endotracheal tue is in the esophagus
b. the patient meets the criteria for termination of efforts
c. the team is ventilating the patient too often (hyperventilation)
d. chest compressions may not be effective - correct answerd. chest compressions may
not be effective
Which is the primary purpose of a medical emergency team or rapid response team?
a. providing online consultation to EMS personnel in the field
b. improving care for patients admitted to critical care units
c. improving patient care outcomes by identifying and treating early clinical deterioration
d. providing diagnostic consultation to emergency department patients - correct
answerc. improving patient care outcomes by identifying and treating early clinical
deterioration
How can you increase chest compression fraction during a code?
a. initiate intravenous or intraosseous access during the 2-minute cycle
b. interchange the ventilator and compressor during a rhythm check
c. charge the defibrillator 15 seconds before conducting a rhythm check
d. administer epinephrine during the 2-minute cycle - correct answerc. charge the
defibrillator 15 seconds before conducting a rhythm check
Which facility is the most appropriate EMS destination for a patient with sudden cardiac
arrest who achieved return of spontaneous circulation in the field?
a. acute rehabilitation care unit
b. coronary reperfusion-capable medical center
c. comprehensive stroke care unit
d. acute long-term care unit - correct answerb. coronary reperfusion-capable medical
center
A 45-year-old man had coronary artery stents placed 2 days ago. Today, he is in severe
distress and is reporting "crushing" chest discomfort. He is pale, diaphoretic, and cool to
the touch. His radial pulse is very weak, blood pressure is 64/40 mm Hg, respiratory
