Final AHA ACLS Exam Questions and
Answers with Explanation (Latest
): Most Comprehensive to
Pass the Exam, 100% Verified
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
Answer: B. 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
,Answer: B. 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
Answer: C. 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: A 62-year-old man collapses in the hospital hallway. He is
unresponsive, not breathing, and has no pulse. The first
rescuer begins high-quality CPR. What is the priority next
step?
A. Insert an advanced airway
B. Obtain IV access
C. Attach an AED/defibrillator
D. Administer epinephrine 1 mg IV
,Answer: C. After starting CPR, the next priority is to attach an AED
or defibrillator to analyze the rhythm and deliver a shock if
indicated. Early defibrillation is the most critical intervention for
shockable rhythms.
Q5: A patient in the ICU has a witnessed cardiac arrest. The
cardiac monitor shows ventricular fibrillation (VF). After one
cycle of CPR, the defibrillator is ready. What is the
appropriate energy for the first shock for a biphasic
defibrillator?
A. 120 J
B. 200 J
C. 360 J
D. Manufacturer's recommended dose (typically 120–200 J)
Answer: D. For biphasic defibrillators, use the manufacturer's
recommended energy (usually 120 J or 150 J to 200 J). If unknown,
use the maximum available (200 J).
Q6: What is the recommended range from which a
temperature should be selected and maintained constantly to
achieve targeted temperature management after cardiac
arrest?
A. 30–32°C
B. 32–36°C
, C. 36–38°C
D. 38–40°C
Answer: B. Targeted temperature management (TTM) should be
maintained in the range of 32–36°C after cardiac arrest.
Q7: During a pause in CPR, you see a narrow complex rhythm
on the monitor. The patient has no pulse. What is the next
action?
A. Resume compressions
B. Defibrillate
C. Administer epinephrine
D. Check for a pulse again
Answer: A. Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) is not a shockable
rhythm. The priority is to resume high-quality CPR immediately.
Q8: Which situation BEST describes PEA?
A. Sinus rhythm without a pulse
B. Ventricular fibrillation
C. Asystole
D. Pulseless ventricular tachycardia
Answer: A. PEA is defined as organized electrical activity (any
rhythm except VF/VT) without a palpable pulse.
Answers with Explanation (Latest
): Most Comprehensive to
Pass the Exam, 100% Verified
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
Answer: B. 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
,Answer: B. 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
Answer: C. 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: A 62-year-old man collapses in the hospital hallway. He is
unresponsive, not breathing, and has no pulse. The first
rescuer begins high-quality CPR. What is the priority next
step?
A. Insert an advanced airway
B. Obtain IV access
C. Attach an AED/defibrillator
D. Administer epinephrine 1 mg IV
,Answer: C. After starting CPR, the next priority is to attach an AED
or defibrillator to analyze the rhythm and deliver a shock if
indicated. Early defibrillation is the most critical intervention for
shockable rhythms.
Q5: A patient in the ICU has a witnessed cardiac arrest. The
cardiac monitor shows ventricular fibrillation (VF). After one
cycle of CPR, the defibrillator is ready. What is the
appropriate energy for the first shock for a biphasic
defibrillator?
A. 120 J
B. 200 J
C. 360 J
D. Manufacturer's recommended dose (typically 120–200 J)
Answer: D. For biphasic defibrillators, use the manufacturer's
recommended energy (usually 120 J or 150 J to 200 J). If unknown,
use the maximum available (200 J).
Q6: What is the recommended range from which a
temperature should be selected and maintained constantly to
achieve targeted temperature management after cardiac
arrest?
A. 30–32°C
B. 32–36°C
, C. 36–38°C
D. 38–40°C
Answer: B. Targeted temperature management (TTM) should be
maintained in the range of 32–36°C after cardiac arrest.
Q7: During a pause in CPR, you see a narrow complex rhythm
on the monitor. The patient has no pulse. What is the next
action?
A. Resume compressions
B. Defibrillate
C. Administer epinephrine
D. Check for a pulse again
Answer: A. Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) is not a shockable
rhythm. The priority is to resume high-quality CPR immediately.
Q8: Which situation BEST describes PEA?
A. Sinus rhythm without a pulse
B. Ventricular fibrillation
C. Asystole
D. Pulseless ventricular tachycardia
Answer: A. PEA is defined as organized electrical activity (any
rhythm except VF/VT) without a palpable pulse.
