AHA ACLS Final Exam Questions and
Answers with Explanation (Latest
): Most Comprehensive to
Pass the Exam, 100% Verified
Cardiac Arrest & CPR Quality
Q1: A patient is unresponsive, pulseless, and the monitor shows
ventricular fibrillation (VF). What is the first treatment?
A. Administer epinephrine
B. Begin chest compressions and defibrillate as soon as possible
C. Administer amiodarone
D. Insert an advanced airway
Correct Answer: B. Begin chest compressions and defibrillate as
soon as possible.
Explanation: VF is a shockable rhythm. Immediate high-quality
CPR and early defibrillation offer the best chance for survival.
Q2: During cardiac arrest, what is the recommended compression
rate?
A. 80–100/min
, B. 100–120/min
C. 120–140/min
D. 140–160/min
Correct Answer: B. 100–120/min
Explanation: The recommended compression rate is 100–120
compressions per minute with a depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm)
in adults.
Q3: A patient in pulseless VT remains in cardiac arrest after the
second shock. Which medication should be administered first?
A. Atropine 1 mg
B. Lidocaine 25 mg
C. Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO
D. Adenosine 6 mg
Correct Answer: C. Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO
Explanation: Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO is given every 3–5 minutes
during cardiac arrest. Amiodarone or lidocaine may be given for
refractory VF/pVT, but epinephrine is the first-line vasopressor.
Q4: What is the recommended range from which a temperature
should be selected and maintained constantly to achieve targeted
temperature management after cardiac arrest?
, A. 30–34°C
B. 32–36°C
C. 34–38°C
D. 36–40°C
Correct Answer: B. 32–36°C
Explanation: Targeted temperature management (TTM) after
cardiac arrest involves maintaining a constant temperature
between 32°C and 36°C for at least 24 hours.
Q5: What is an effect of excessive ventilation?
A. Decreased cardiac output
B. Increased cardiac output
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Improved oxygenation
Correct Answer: A. Decreased cardiac output
Explanation: Excessive ventilation increases intrathoracic
pressure, which decreases venous return and cardiac output,
reducing coronary perfusion.
Q6: Which action increases the chance of successful conversion of
ventricular fibrillation?
, A. Providing quality compressions immediately before a
defibrillation attempt
B. Administering amiodarone before defibrillation
C. Increasing the energy dose
D. Performing a 12-lead ECG
Correct Answer: A. Providing quality compressions immediately
before a defibrillation attempt
Explanation: High-quality CPR immediately before defibrillation
improves myocardial perfusion and increases the likelihood of
successful defibrillation.
Q7: A patient is in cardiac arrest and has been intubated. To
assess CPR quality, which should you do?
A. Monitor the patient's PETCO₂
B. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
C. Check the patient's pulse
D. Obtain a chest X-ray
Correct Answer: A. Monitor the patient's PETCO₂
Explanation: End-tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO₂) monitoring
provides real-time feedback on the effectiveness of chest
compressions and ventilation quality. A PETCO₂ reading lower
than 10 mmHg indicates poor perfusion.
Answers with Explanation (Latest
): Most Comprehensive to
Pass the Exam, 100% Verified
Cardiac Arrest & CPR Quality
Q1: A patient is unresponsive, pulseless, and the monitor shows
ventricular fibrillation (VF). What is the first treatment?
A. Administer epinephrine
B. Begin chest compressions and defibrillate as soon as possible
C. Administer amiodarone
D. Insert an advanced airway
Correct Answer: B. Begin chest compressions and defibrillate as
soon as possible.
Explanation: VF is a shockable rhythm. Immediate high-quality
CPR and early defibrillation offer the best chance for survival.
Q2: During cardiac arrest, what is the recommended compression
rate?
A. 80–100/min
, B. 100–120/min
C. 120–140/min
D. 140–160/min
Correct Answer: B. 100–120/min
Explanation: The recommended compression rate is 100–120
compressions per minute with a depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm)
in adults.
Q3: A patient in pulseless VT remains in cardiac arrest after the
second shock. Which medication should be administered first?
A. Atropine 1 mg
B. Lidocaine 25 mg
C. Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO
D. Adenosine 6 mg
Correct Answer: C. Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO
Explanation: Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO is given every 3–5 minutes
during cardiac arrest. Amiodarone or lidocaine may be given for
refractory VF/pVT, but epinephrine is the first-line vasopressor.
Q4: What is the recommended range from which a temperature
should be selected and maintained constantly to achieve targeted
temperature management after cardiac arrest?
, A. 30–34°C
B. 32–36°C
C. 34–38°C
D. 36–40°C
Correct Answer: B. 32–36°C
Explanation: Targeted temperature management (TTM) after
cardiac arrest involves maintaining a constant temperature
between 32°C and 36°C for at least 24 hours.
Q5: What is an effect of excessive ventilation?
A. Decreased cardiac output
B. Increased cardiac output
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Improved oxygenation
Correct Answer: A. Decreased cardiac output
Explanation: Excessive ventilation increases intrathoracic
pressure, which decreases venous return and cardiac output,
reducing coronary perfusion.
Q6: Which action increases the chance of successful conversion of
ventricular fibrillation?
, A. Providing quality compressions immediately before a
defibrillation attempt
B. Administering amiodarone before defibrillation
C. Increasing the energy dose
D. Performing a 12-lead ECG
Correct Answer: A. Providing quality compressions immediately
before a defibrillation attempt
Explanation: High-quality CPR immediately before defibrillation
improves myocardial perfusion and increases the likelihood of
successful defibrillation.
Q7: A patient is in cardiac arrest and has been intubated. To
assess CPR quality, which should you do?
A. Monitor the patient's PETCO₂
B. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
C. Check the patient's pulse
D. Obtain a chest X-ray
Correct Answer: A. Monitor the patient's PETCO₂
Explanation: End-tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO₂) monitoring
provides real-time feedback on the effectiveness of chest
compressions and ventilation quality. A PETCO₂ reading lower
than 10 mmHg indicates poor perfusion.
