AHA ACLS POST TEST EXAM 300
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
VERIFIED ANSWERS (100% CORRECT
ANSWERS /ALREADY GRADED A+
WITH RATIONALES
1. You find an unresponsive patient who is not breathing. After activating the
emergency response system, you determine there is no pulse. What is your next
action?
A) Apply the AED immediately
B) Open the airway and give two breaths
C) Start chest compressions at a rate of at least 100 per minute
D) Check for a medical alert bracelet
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct sequence for an unresponsive patient with no pulse is to
activate the emergency response system and then immediately begin high-quality
chest compressions. Early CPR, starting with compressions, is the priority before
applying an AED or checking for other issues .
2. You are evaluating a 58-year-old man with chest pain. His blood pressure is
92/50 mm Hg, heart rate is 92/min, respiratory rate is 14 breaths/min, and pulse
oximetry is 97%. What assessment step is most important now?
A) Administer nitroglycerin
B) Obtain a 12-lead ECG
C) Start an IV line
1
,D) Administer morphine for pain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For a patient with chest pain, obtaining a 12-lead ECG is the priority to
identify ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or other acute
coronary syndrome patterns. The ECG should be obtained within 10 minutes of
arrival .
3. Which action is a component of high-quality chest compressions?
A) Leaning on the chest between compressions
B) Allowing complete chest recoil after each compression
C) Compressing the chest at a depth of 1.5 inches
D) Interrupting compressions every 30 seconds for pulse checks
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Complete chest recoil allows the heart to refill with blood between
compressions. Leaning on the chest prevents recoil, reduces venous return, and
decreases cardiac output .
4. What is the recommended compression depth for an adult during CPR?
A) 1.5 inches
B) 2 inches
C) At least 2 inches but no more than 2.4 inches (5-6 cm)
D) 3 inches
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: AHA guidelines recommend a compression depth of at least 2 inches (5
cm) but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm) for optimal perfusion .
5. What is the correct compression rate per minute for adult CPR?
2
,A) 60-80/min
B) 80-100/min
C) 100-120/min
D) 120-140/min
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Higher rates reduce coronary perfusion; lower rates reduce forward
flow. 100–120/min is the optimal rate for adult CPR .
6. What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-rescuer
adult CPR?
A) 15:2
B) 30:2
C) 30:1
D) 15:1
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The AHA recommends a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio for
single-rescuer adult CPR .
7. What is the appropriate interval for an interruption in chest compressions?
A) 5 seconds or less
B) 10 seconds or less
C) 15 seconds or less
D) 20 seconds or less
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pauses in chest compressions for rhythm analysis, pulse checks, or
shock delivery should be limited to no more than 10 seconds. Prolonged
interruptions reduce coronary and cerebral perfusion pressure .
3
, 8. What percentage of chest recoil should be allowed between compressions?
A) 50%
B) 75%
C) 100%
D) 90%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Full recoil (100%) allows cardiac refilling; leaning reduces coronary
perfusion pressure .
9. How often should compressors be switched during CPR to avoid fatigue?
A) Every 1 minute
B) Every 2 minutes
C) Every 5 minutes
D) Only when tired
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Compression quality declines after 2 minutes; switch during rhythm
check to maintain high-quality compressions .
10. What is the preferred method for confirming ROSC (Return of Spontaneous
Circulation)?
A) Palpable pulse
B) ETCO2 >40 mm Hg
C) Blood pressure >90 systolic
D) Pupil reactivity
Correct Answer: B
4
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
VERIFIED ANSWERS (100% CORRECT
ANSWERS /ALREADY GRADED A+
WITH RATIONALES
1. You find an unresponsive patient who is not breathing. After activating the
emergency response system, you determine there is no pulse. What is your next
action?
A) Apply the AED immediately
B) Open the airway and give two breaths
C) Start chest compressions at a rate of at least 100 per minute
D) Check for a medical alert bracelet
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct sequence for an unresponsive patient with no pulse is to
activate the emergency response system and then immediately begin high-quality
chest compressions. Early CPR, starting with compressions, is the priority before
applying an AED or checking for other issues .
2. You are evaluating a 58-year-old man with chest pain. His blood pressure is
92/50 mm Hg, heart rate is 92/min, respiratory rate is 14 breaths/min, and pulse
oximetry is 97%. What assessment step is most important now?
A) Administer nitroglycerin
B) Obtain a 12-lead ECG
C) Start an IV line
1
,D) Administer morphine for pain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For a patient with chest pain, obtaining a 12-lead ECG is the priority to
identify ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or other acute
coronary syndrome patterns. The ECG should be obtained within 10 minutes of
arrival .
3. Which action is a component of high-quality chest compressions?
A) Leaning on the chest between compressions
B) Allowing complete chest recoil after each compression
C) Compressing the chest at a depth of 1.5 inches
D) Interrupting compressions every 30 seconds for pulse checks
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Complete chest recoil allows the heart to refill with blood between
compressions. Leaning on the chest prevents recoil, reduces venous return, and
decreases cardiac output .
4. What is the recommended compression depth for an adult during CPR?
A) 1.5 inches
B) 2 inches
C) At least 2 inches but no more than 2.4 inches (5-6 cm)
D) 3 inches
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: AHA guidelines recommend a compression depth of at least 2 inches (5
cm) but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm) for optimal perfusion .
5. What is the correct compression rate per minute for adult CPR?
2
,A) 60-80/min
B) 80-100/min
C) 100-120/min
D) 120-140/min
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Higher rates reduce coronary perfusion; lower rates reduce forward
flow. 100–120/min is the optimal rate for adult CPR .
6. What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-rescuer
adult CPR?
A) 15:2
B) 30:2
C) 30:1
D) 15:1
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The AHA recommends a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio for
single-rescuer adult CPR .
7. What is the appropriate interval for an interruption in chest compressions?
A) 5 seconds or less
B) 10 seconds or less
C) 15 seconds or less
D) 20 seconds or less
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pauses in chest compressions for rhythm analysis, pulse checks, or
shock delivery should be limited to no more than 10 seconds. Prolonged
interruptions reduce coronary and cerebral perfusion pressure .
3
, 8. What percentage of chest recoil should be allowed between compressions?
A) 50%
B) 75%
C) 100%
D) 90%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Full recoil (100%) allows cardiac refilling; leaning reduces coronary
perfusion pressure .
9. How often should compressors be switched during CPR to avoid fatigue?
A) Every 1 minute
B) Every 2 minutes
C) Every 5 minutes
D) Only when tired
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Compression quality declines after 2 minutes; switch during rhythm
check to maintain high-quality compressions .
10. What is the preferred method for confirming ROSC (Return of Spontaneous
Circulation)?
A) Palpable pulse
B) ETCO2 >40 mm Hg
C) Blood pressure >90 systolic
D) Pupil reactivity
Correct Answer: B
4
