Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
Exam 100% Pass With Questions And
Answers + Rationales
### Question 1
What is the primary goal of the systematic approach in ACLS?
A. To identify and treat the underlying rhythm abnormality.
B. To provide a structured method for assessing and treating a cardiopulmonary emergency.
C. To ensure all team members have a clear role.
D. To prepare the patient for transfer to the ICU.
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The systematic approach provides a structured method for assessing and treating a
cardiopulmonary emergency. This includes the initial impression, primary assessment (BLS), secondary
assessment (ACLS), and differential diagnosis.
---
### Question 2
According to ACLS, what is the first action when you find an unresponsive adult?
A. Open the airway and check for breathing.
B. Check for a pulse.
C. Activate the emergency response system and get an AED.
D. Start high-quality CPR.
,**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** If an unresponsive adult is not breathing normally and has no pulse, the first action is to
activate the emergency response system and get an AED. This ensures professional help and a
defibrillator are on the way, which is critical for survival.
---
### Question 3
Which of the following is a component of high-quality CPR in ACLS?
A. Compression depth of at least 2.4 inches.
B. Compression rate of 120-140 compressions per minute.
C. Allowing complete chest recoil between compressions.
D. Switching compressors every 5 minutes.
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** High-quality CPR requires allowing complete chest recoil between compressions to allow
the heart to refill with blood. Compression depth should be 5-6 cm (2-2.4 inches), rate 100-120/min, and
compressors should be switched every 2 minutes or when fatigued.
---
### Question 4
During ACLS, how often should the rhythm be checked during cardiac arrest?
A. Every 30 seconds.
B. Every 1 minute.
,C. Every 2 minutes.
D. Every 5 minutes.
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The rhythm should be checked every 2 minutes. This corresponds to 5 cycles of 30:2 CPR.
The rhythm check should be brief, and CPR should be resumed immediately if a shockable rhythm is not
identified.
---
### Question 5
What is the recommended ventilation rate for an adult with an advanced airway in place during CPR?
A. 1 breath every 3 seconds (20 breaths/min).
B. 1 breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths/min).
C. 1 breath every 10 seconds (6 breaths/min).
D. 2 breaths every 30 compressions.
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** When an advanced airway is in place, ventilations should be delivered at a rate of 1
breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths per minute) without pausing chest compressions.
---
### Question 6
In the ACLS algorithm, what is the first medication administered for pulseless ventricular tachycardia
(pVT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF)?
, A. Amiodarone.
B. Lidocaine.
C. Epinephrine.
D. Vasopressin.
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Epinephrine is the first medication administered during cardiac arrest, regardless of
rhythm. The recommended dose is 1 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes. Amiodarone or lidocaine may be given
for shock-refractory VF/pVT after the first shock.
---
### Question 7
Which of the following is a reversible cause of cardiac arrest included in the "5 H's and 5 T's"?
A. Hypotension.
B. Hypoglycemia.
C. Tension pneumothorax.
D. Tachycardia.
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The 5 H's and 5 T's are reversible causes of cardiac arrest: Hypovolemia, Hypoxia,
Hydrogen ion (acidosis), Hypo/Hyperkalemia, Hypothermia; Tension pneumothorax, Tamponade
(cardiac), Toxins, Thrombosis (pulmonary), Thrombosis (coronary).
---
### Question 8
Exam 100% Pass With Questions And
Answers + Rationales
### Question 1
What is the primary goal of the systematic approach in ACLS?
A. To identify and treat the underlying rhythm abnormality.
B. To provide a structured method for assessing and treating a cardiopulmonary emergency.
C. To ensure all team members have a clear role.
D. To prepare the patient for transfer to the ICU.
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The systematic approach provides a structured method for assessing and treating a
cardiopulmonary emergency. This includes the initial impression, primary assessment (BLS), secondary
assessment (ACLS), and differential diagnosis.
---
### Question 2
According to ACLS, what is the first action when you find an unresponsive adult?
A. Open the airway and check for breathing.
B. Check for a pulse.
C. Activate the emergency response system and get an AED.
D. Start high-quality CPR.
,**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** If an unresponsive adult is not breathing normally and has no pulse, the first action is to
activate the emergency response system and get an AED. This ensures professional help and a
defibrillator are on the way, which is critical for survival.
---
### Question 3
Which of the following is a component of high-quality CPR in ACLS?
A. Compression depth of at least 2.4 inches.
B. Compression rate of 120-140 compressions per minute.
C. Allowing complete chest recoil between compressions.
D. Switching compressors every 5 minutes.
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** High-quality CPR requires allowing complete chest recoil between compressions to allow
the heart to refill with blood. Compression depth should be 5-6 cm (2-2.4 inches), rate 100-120/min, and
compressors should be switched every 2 minutes or when fatigued.
---
### Question 4
During ACLS, how often should the rhythm be checked during cardiac arrest?
A. Every 30 seconds.
B. Every 1 minute.
,C. Every 2 minutes.
D. Every 5 minutes.
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The rhythm should be checked every 2 minutes. This corresponds to 5 cycles of 30:2 CPR.
The rhythm check should be brief, and CPR should be resumed immediately if a shockable rhythm is not
identified.
---
### Question 5
What is the recommended ventilation rate for an adult with an advanced airway in place during CPR?
A. 1 breath every 3 seconds (20 breaths/min).
B. 1 breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths/min).
C. 1 breath every 10 seconds (6 breaths/min).
D. 2 breaths every 30 compressions.
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** When an advanced airway is in place, ventilations should be delivered at a rate of 1
breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths per minute) without pausing chest compressions.
---
### Question 6
In the ACLS algorithm, what is the first medication administered for pulseless ventricular tachycardia
(pVT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF)?
, A. Amiodarone.
B. Lidocaine.
C. Epinephrine.
D. Vasopressin.
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Epinephrine is the first medication administered during cardiac arrest, regardless of
rhythm. The recommended dose is 1 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes. Amiodarone or lidocaine may be given
for shock-refractory VF/pVT after the first shock.
---
### Question 7
Which of the following is a reversible cause of cardiac arrest included in the "5 H's and 5 T's"?
A. Hypotension.
B. Hypoglycemia.
C. Tension pneumothorax.
D. Tachycardia.
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The 5 H's and 5 T's are reversible causes of cardiac arrest: Hypovolemia, Hypoxia,
Hydrogen ion (acidosis), Hypo/Hyperkalemia, Hypothermia; Tension pneumothorax, Tamponade
(cardiac), Toxins, Thrombosis (pulmonary), Thrombosis (coronary).
---
### Question 8
