ACLS
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT - EXAM
AHA ACLS Final Exam Questions
and Answers with Explanation
(Latest 2026/2027): Most
Comprehensive to Pass the Exam,
100% Verified 2026/2027
Certification Exam
50 100%
QUESTIONS VERIFIED ANSWERS EDITION
TOPICS COVERED
High-Quality CPR and AED Use Acute Coronary Syndrome Protocols
Advanced Airway Devices and Capnography Post-Arrest Temperature Management
Tachycardia and Bradycardia Algorithms Respiratory Arrest and Opioid Overdose
COVER PAGE - 1
,SECTION 1 | BLS and ACLS Survey | Q1-Q10
Q1 Question 1 of 50
A 62-year-old man collapses in the hospital cafeteria. A nurse confirms he is unresponsive and not
breathing normally. The nurse activates the emergency response system and sends another staff
member to retrieve the AED. What is the next immediate action the nurse should take before the AED
arrives?
A. Check for a pulse for no more than 10 seconds
B. Begin high-quality chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute
C. Deliver two rescue breaths before starting compressions
D. Tilt the head back and perform a jaw thrust maneuver
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The 2020 AHA Guidelines emphasize immediate initiation of high-quality CPR when a patient is unresponsive and not breathing
normally, without delaying for pulse checks longer than 10 seconds. Rescue breaths are not the priority in an adult cardiac arrest
scenario; chest compressions should begin immediately to maintain coronary and cerebral perfusion.
Q2 Question 2 of 50
During a code blue, the team leader assigns roles and begins the ACLS Primary Survey. After
confirming unresponsiveness and activating the emergency response system, which component of
the ACLS Survey comes immediately after airway and breathing assessment?
A. Defibrillation with an AED
B. Circulation assessment and high-quality CPR
C. Establishing IV or IO access
D. Administering epinephrine 1 mg IV push
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The ACLS Primary Survey follows the ABCDE approach: Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure. After
assessing airway and breathing, the next step is circulation, which includes checking for a pulse and initiating high-quality CPR if
the patient is pulseless. Defibrillation and medication administration occur later in the algorithm.
AHA ACLS Final Exam Questions and Answers with Explanation (Latest 2026/2027): Most Comprehensive to Pass the Exam, 100% Verified 2026/2027 -- 2026/20
, SECTION 1 | BLS and ACLS Survey | Q1-Q10
Q3 Question 3 of 50
A 58-year-old woman is found pulseless in her hospital room. The crash cart arrives, and the monitor
shows ventricular fibrillation. The team delivers an initial shock, but the patient remains in VF after 2
minutes of CPR. What is the recommended energy dose for the second biphasic shock?
A. Use the same energy dose as the first shock
B. Increase the energy dose by 50% from the first shock
C. Decrease the energy dose by 25% to avoid myocardial damage
D. Switch to a monophasic defibrillator for higher efficacy
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The AHA recommends using the same energy dose for subsequent shocks when using a biphasic defibrillator, as there is no
evidence that escalating energy improves outcomes in VF. The key to success is minimizing interruptions in chest compressions
and ensuring good CPR quality between shocks, not increasing the joule setting.
Q4 Question 4 of 50
During CPR on a 45-year-old man, the team notices the end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) reading drops from 25
mmHg to 8 mmHg despite continued compressions. What is the most appropriate immediate
response?
A. Administer a bolus of epinephrine to improve perfusion
B. Reassess the quality of chest compressions and consider fatigue
C. Increase the ventilation rate to 20 breaths per minute
D. Prepare for an immediate defibrillation attempt
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
A sudden drop in EtCO2 during CPR strongly suggests inadequate compression quality, often due to rescuer fatigue or incorrect
hand placement. EtCO2 is a reliable surrogate for cardiac output during CPR; values below 10 mmHg indicate poor perfusion.
The team should rotate compressors and verify depth, rate, and recoil before considering other interventions.
AHA ACLS Final Exam Questions and Answers with Explanation (Latest 2026/2027): Most Comprehensive to Pass the Exam, 100% Verified 2026/2027 -- 2026/20
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT - EXAM
AHA ACLS Final Exam Questions
and Answers with Explanation
(Latest 2026/2027): Most
Comprehensive to Pass the Exam,
100% Verified 2026/2027
Certification Exam
50 100%
QUESTIONS VERIFIED ANSWERS EDITION
TOPICS COVERED
High-Quality CPR and AED Use Acute Coronary Syndrome Protocols
Advanced Airway Devices and Capnography Post-Arrest Temperature Management
Tachycardia and Bradycardia Algorithms Respiratory Arrest and Opioid Overdose
COVER PAGE - 1
,SECTION 1 | BLS and ACLS Survey | Q1-Q10
Q1 Question 1 of 50
A 62-year-old man collapses in the hospital cafeteria. A nurse confirms he is unresponsive and not
breathing normally. The nurse activates the emergency response system and sends another staff
member to retrieve the AED. What is the next immediate action the nurse should take before the AED
arrives?
A. Check for a pulse for no more than 10 seconds
B. Begin high-quality chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute
C. Deliver two rescue breaths before starting compressions
D. Tilt the head back and perform a jaw thrust maneuver
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The 2020 AHA Guidelines emphasize immediate initiation of high-quality CPR when a patient is unresponsive and not breathing
normally, without delaying for pulse checks longer than 10 seconds. Rescue breaths are not the priority in an adult cardiac arrest
scenario; chest compressions should begin immediately to maintain coronary and cerebral perfusion.
Q2 Question 2 of 50
During a code blue, the team leader assigns roles and begins the ACLS Primary Survey. After
confirming unresponsiveness and activating the emergency response system, which component of
the ACLS Survey comes immediately after airway and breathing assessment?
A. Defibrillation with an AED
B. Circulation assessment and high-quality CPR
C. Establishing IV or IO access
D. Administering epinephrine 1 mg IV push
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The ACLS Primary Survey follows the ABCDE approach: Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure. After
assessing airway and breathing, the next step is circulation, which includes checking for a pulse and initiating high-quality CPR if
the patient is pulseless. Defibrillation and medication administration occur later in the algorithm.
AHA ACLS Final Exam Questions and Answers with Explanation (Latest 2026/2027): Most Comprehensive to Pass the Exam, 100% Verified 2026/2027 -- 2026/20
, SECTION 1 | BLS and ACLS Survey | Q1-Q10
Q3 Question 3 of 50
A 58-year-old woman is found pulseless in her hospital room. The crash cart arrives, and the monitor
shows ventricular fibrillation. The team delivers an initial shock, but the patient remains in VF after 2
minutes of CPR. What is the recommended energy dose for the second biphasic shock?
A. Use the same energy dose as the first shock
B. Increase the energy dose by 50% from the first shock
C. Decrease the energy dose by 25% to avoid myocardial damage
D. Switch to a monophasic defibrillator for higher efficacy
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The AHA recommends using the same energy dose for subsequent shocks when using a biphasic defibrillator, as there is no
evidence that escalating energy improves outcomes in VF. The key to success is minimizing interruptions in chest compressions
and ensuring good CPR quality between shocks, not increasing the joule setting.
Q4 Question 4 of 50
During CPR on a 45-year-old man, the team notices the end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) reading drops from 25
mmHg to 8 mmHg despite continued compressions. What is the most appropriate immediate
response?
A. Administer a bolus of epinephrine to improve perfusion
B. Reassess the quality of chest compressions and consider fatigue
C. Increase the ventilation rate to 20 breaths per minute
D. Prepare for an immediate defibrillation attempt
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
A sudden drop in EtCO2 during CPR strongly suggests inadequate compression quality, often due to rescuer fatigue or incorrect
hand placement. EtCO2 is a reliable surrogate for cardiac output during CPR; values below 10 mmHg indicate poor perfusion.
The team should rotate compressors and verify depth, rate, and recoil before considering other interventions.
AHA ACLS Final Exam Questions and Answers with Explanation (Latest 2026/2027): Most Comprehensive to Pass the Exam, 100% Verified 2026/2027 -- 2026/20
