ACLS (ADVANCED CARDIOVASCULAR
LIFE SUPPORT) CERTIFICATION EXAM
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A patient is found unresponsive with no pulse. What is the first action
according to ACLS guidelines?
A. Begin high-quality CPR.
B. Check blood glucose.
C. Administer epinephrine.
D. Obtain a 12-lead ECG.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Begin high-quality CPR.
RATIONALE: Immediate, high-quality CPR is the first priority in cardiac arrest and should begin
as soon as pulselessness is confirmed.
2. During CPR, the monitor displays ventricular fibrillation (VF). What is the
next action?
A. Deliver a shock immediately.
B. Administer atropine.
C. Check blood pressure.
D. Insert a urinary catheter.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Deliver a shock immediately.
RATIONALE: VF is a shockable rhythm. Early defibrillation significantly improves survival.
3. After the first shock for VF, what should rescuers do immediately?
,A. Resume CPR for 2 minutes.
B. Check for a pulse.
C. Analyze the rhythm continuously.
D. Administer amiodarone immediately.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Resume CPR for 2 minutes.
RATIONALE: CPR should resume immediately after every shock without checking for a pulse.
4. Which medication is administered first during pulseless VF or pulseless VT
after the second shock?
A. Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO.
B. Atropine 1 mg IV.
C. Dopamine infusion.
D. Adenosine 6 mg IV.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO.
RATIONALE: Epinephrine is administered every 3–5 minutes during cardiac arrest.
5. Which rhythm is NOT shockable?
A. Asystole.
B. Ventricular fibrillation.
C. Pulseless ventricular tachycardia.
D. Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Asystole.
RATIONALE: Asystole is treated with CPR and epinephrine, not defibrillation.
6. What is the recommended adult chest compression rate?
A. 100–120 compressions/minute.
B. 60–80 compressions/minute.
C. 140–160 compressions/minute.
D. 80–90 compressions/minute.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — 100–120 compressions/minute.
, RATIONALE: This rate provides adequate circulation while minimizing rescuer fatigue.
7. What is the recommended adult compression depth?
A. At least 2 inches (5 cm).
B. 1 inch (2.5 cm).
C. 4 inches (10 cm).
D. ½ inch (1 cm).
CORRECT ANSWER: A — At least 2 inches (5 cm).
RATIONALE: Adequate compression depth improves coronary and cerebral perfusion.
8. Which medication is recommended for persistent VF/pulseless VT after the
third shock?
A. Amiodarone.
B. Lidocaine only.
C. Adenosine.
D. Magnesium only.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Amiodarone.
RATIONALE: Amiodarone is recommended for refractory VF or pulseless VT.
9. Which rhythm is characterized by organized electrical activity without a
palpable pulse?
A. Pulseless electrical activity (PEA).
B. Ventricular fibrillation.
C. Asystole.
D. Sinus bradycardia.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Pulseless electrical activity (PEA).
RATIONALE: PEA shows electrical activity but no effective cardiac output.
LIFE SUPPORT) CERTIFICATION EXAM
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A patient is found unresponsive with no pulse. What is the first action
according to ACLS guidelines?
A. Begin high-quality CPR.
B. Check blood glucose.
C. Administer epinephrine.
D. Obtain a 12-lead ECG.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Begin high-quality CPR.
RATIONALE: Immediate, high-quality CPR is the first priority in cardiac arrest and should begin
as soon as pulselessness is confirmed.
2. During CPR, the monitor displays ventricular fibrillation (VF). What is the
next action?
A. Deliver a shock immediately.
B. Administer atropine.
C. Check blood pressure.
D. Insert a urinary catheter.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Deliver a shock immediately.
RATIONALE: VF is a shockable rhythm. Early defibrillation significantly improves survival.
3. After the first shock for VF, what should rescuers do immediately?
,A. Resume CPR for 2 minutes.
B. Check for a pulse.
C. Analyze the rhythm continuously.
D. Administer amiodarone immediately.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Resume CPR for 2 minutes.
RATIONALE: CPR should resume immediately after every shock without checking for a pulse.
4. Which medication is administered first during pulseless VF or pulseless VT
after the second shock?
A. Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO.
B. Atropine 1 mg IV.
C. Dopamine infusion.
D. Adenosine 6 mg IV.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO.
RATIONALE: Epinephrine is administered every 3–5 minutes during cardiac arrest.
5. Which rhythm is NOT shockable?
A. Asystole.
B. Ventricular fibrillation.
C. Pulseless ventricular tachycardia.
D. Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Asystole.
RATIONALE: Asystole is treated with CPR and epinephrine, not defibrillation.
6. What is the recommended adult chest compression rate?
A. 100–120 compressions/minute.
B. 60–80 compressions/minute.
C. 140–160 compressions/minute.
D. 80–90 compressions/minute.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — 100–120 compressions/minute.
, RATIONALE: This rate provides adequate circulation while minimizing rescuer fatigue.
7. What is the recommended adult compression depth?
A. At least 2 inches (5 cm).
B. 1 inch (2.5 cm).
C. 4 inches (10 cm).
D. ½ inch (1 cm).
CORRECT ANSWER: A — At least 2 inches (5 cm).
RATIONALE: Adequate compression depth improves coronary and cerebral perfusion.
8. Which medication is recommended for persistent VF/pulseless VT after the
third shock?
A. Amiodarone.
B. Lidocaine only.
C. Adenosine.
D. Magnesium only.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Amiodarone.
RATIONALE: Amiodarone is recommended for refractory VF or pulseless VT.
9. Which rhythm is characterized by organized electrical activity without a
palpable pulse?
A. Pulseless electrical activity (PEA).
B. Ventricular fibrillation.
C. Asystole.
D. Sinus bradycardia.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Pulseless electrical activity (PEA).
RATIONALE: PEA shows electrical activity but no effective cardiac output.
