Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support ACLS Exam Prep |
Complete Practice Test & Detailed Explanations and solutions
2026/2027
Question 1
What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for single
rescuers performing adult CPR without an advanced airway in place?
• A. 15 compressions to 2 breaths
• B. 30 compressions to 2 breaths
• C. 50 compressions to 5 breaths
• D. Continuous compressions with 1 breath every 10 seconds
Correct Answer: B. 30 compressions to 2 breaths
Detailed Rationale: For single-rescuer adult CPR without an advanced
airway, the recommended ratio is 30 chest compressions followed by 2
rescue breaths to ensure adequate circulation and oxygenation.
Question 2
What is the recommended target chest compression depth for an adult
cardiac arrest patient receiving high-quality CPR?
• A. At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
• B. At least 2 inches (5 cm) to a maximum of 2.4 inches (6 cm)
• C. Exactly 3 inches (7.5 cm)
• D. 1.5 inches (3.8 cm)
,Correct Answer: B. At least 2 inches (5 cm) to a maximum of 2.4 inches
(6 cm)
Detailed Rationale: High-quality adult CPR requires chest compression
depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm) while avoiding excessive depths greater
than 2.4 inches (6 cm) to maximize coronary and cerebral perfusion
without causing severe internal trauma.
Question 3
What is the recommended chest compression rate for adult cardiac
arrest resuscitation?
• A. 60 to 80 compressions per minute
• B. 80 to 100 compressions per minute
• C. 100 to 120 compressions per minute
• D. 140 to 160 compressions per minute
Correct Answer: C. 100 to 120 compressions per minute
Detailed Rationale: Maintaining a compression rate of 100 to 120
compressions per minute optimizes blood flow and cardiac output
during resuscitation.
Question 4
Why is complete chest recoil essential between each chest compression
during CPR?
• A. It allows the heart to refill with blood between compressions,
maximizing cardiac output.
• B. It prevents rib fractures entirely.
, • C. It cools down the chest wall muscles.
• D. It automatically activates the defibrillator.
Correct Answer: A. It allows the heart to refill with blood between
compressions, maximizing cardiac output.
Detailed Rationale: Complete chest recoil permits the chambers of the
heart to expand and refill with venous blood during the relaxation
phase, which is critical for maintaining forward blood flow on the
subsequent compression.
Question 5
What is the maximum recommended duration for interrupting chest
compressions during a cardiac arrest resuscitation (e.g., for rhythm
analysis or pulse checks)?
• A. Less than 5 seconds
• B. Less than 10 seconds
• C. Exactly 30 seconds
• D. Up to 60 seconds
Correct Answer: B. Less than 10 seconds
Detailed Rationale: Minimizing interruptions in chest compressions is
vital. Pauses in compressions lead to a drop in coronary perfusion
pressure; therefore, rhythm checks and pulse checks should never
exceed 10 seconds.
Question 6
What is the first step when an automated external defibrillator (AED)
arrives at the scene of a suspected adult cardiac arrest?
, • A. Immediately apply electrode pads while continuing CPR.
• B. Turn on the AED.
• C. Check the patient's blood pressure manually.
• D. Administer a precordial thump.
Correct Answer: B. Turn on the AED.
Detailed Rationale: Turning on the AED is the immediate first step
because the device provides voice and visual prompts that guide the
rescuer through the subsequent steps of pad placement and rhythm
analysis.
Question 7
What is the correct electrode pad placement for an AED on an adult
patient?
• A. Both pads placed directly over the center of the spine.
• B. Right upper chest (beneath the right clavicle) and left lateral
chest (apex, below the left breast/axilla).
• C. Abdomen and forehead.
• D. Both pads on the left side of the chest.
Correct Answer: B. Right upper chest (beneath the right clavicle) and
left lateral chest (apex, below the left breast/axilla).
Detailed Rationale: Standard anterolateral placement positions one pad
below the right clavicle and the other on the lower left chest wall,
ensuring the electrical current vectors traverse the heart mass
effectively.
Complete Practice Test & Detailed Explanations and solutions
2026/2027
Question 1
What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for single
rescuers performing adult CPR without an advanced airway in place?
• A. 15 compressions to 2 breaths
• B. 30 compressions to 2 breaths
• C. 50 compressions to 5 breaths
• D. Continuous compressions with 1 breath every 10 seconds
Correct Answer: B. 30 compressions to 2 breaths
Detailed Rationale: For single-rescuer adult CPR without an advanced
airway, the recommended ratio is 30 chest compressions followed by 2
rescue breaths to ensure adequate circulation and oxygenation.
Question 2
What is the recommended target chest compression depth for an adult
cardiac arrest patient receiving high-quality CPR?
• A. At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
• B. At least 2 inches (5 cm) to a maximum of 2.4 inches (6 cm)
• C. Exactly 3 inches (7.5 cm)
• D. 1.5 inches (3.8 cm)
,Correct Answer: B. At least 2 inches (5 cm) to a maximum of 2.4 inches
(6 cm)
Detailed Rationale: High-quality adult CPR requires chest compression
depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm) while avoiding excessive depths greater
than 2.4 inches (6 cm) to maximize coronary and cerebral perfusion
without causing severe internal trauma.
Question 3
What is the recommended chest compression rate for adult cardiac
arrest resuscitation?
• A. 60 to 80 compressions per minute
• B. 80 to 100 compressions per minute
• C. 100 to 120 compressions per minute
• D. 140 to 160 compressions per minute
Correct Answer: C. 100 to 120 compressions per minute
Detailed Rationale: Maintaining a compression rate of 100 to 120
compressions per minute optimizes blood flow and cardiac output
during resuscitation.
Question 4
Why is complete chest recoil essential between each chest compression
during CPR?
• A. It allows the heart to refill with blood between compressions,
maximizing cardiac output.
• B. It prevents rib fractures entirely.
, • C. It cools down the chest wall muscles.
• D. It automatically activates the defibrillator.
Correct Answer: A. It allows the heart to refill with blood between
compressions, maximizing cardiac output.
Detailed Rationale: Complete chest recoil permits the chambers of the
heart to expand and refill with venous blood during the relaxation
phase, which is critical for maintaining forward blood flow on the
subsequent compression.
Question 5
What is the maximum recommended duration for interrupting chest
compressions during a cardiac arrest resuscitation (e.g., for rhythm
analysis or pulse checks)?
• A. Less than 5 seconds
• B. Less than 10 seconds
• C. Exactly 30 seconds
• D. Up to 60 seconds
Correct Answer: B. Less than 10 seconds
Detailed Rationale: Minimizing interruptions in chest compressions is
vital. Pauses in compressions lead to a drop in coronary perfusion
pressure; therefore, rhythm checks and pulse checks should never
exceed 10 seconds.
Question 6
What is the first step when an automated external defibrillator (AED)
arrives at the scene of a suspected adult cardiac arrest?
, • A. Immediately apply electrode pads while continuing CPR.
• B. Turn on the AED.
• C. Check the patient's blood pressure manually.
• D. Administer a precordial thump.
Correct Answer: B. Turn on the AED.
Detailed Rationale: Turning on the AED is the immediate first step
because the device provides voice and visual prompts that guide the
rescuer through the subsequent steps of pad placement and rhythm
analysis.
Question 7
What is the correct electrode pad placement for an AED on an adult
patient?
• A. Both pads placed directly over the center of the spine.
• B. Right upper chest (beneath the right clavicle) and left lateral
chest (apex, below the left breast/axilla).
• C. Abdomen and forehead.
• D. Both pads on the left side of the chest.
Correct Answer: B. Right upper chest (beneath the right clavicle) and
left lateral chest (apex, below the left breast/axilla).
Detailed Rationale: Standard anterolateral placement positions one pad
below the right clavicle and the other on the lower left chest wall,
ensuring the electrical current vectors traverse the heart mass
effectively.
