ACLS Final Exam | 2026/2027 Actual Exam –
Verified Questions and Correct Answers |
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
Certification – Final Assessment
Question 1: A patient experiences cardiac arrest, and the
resuscitation team initiates ventilations using a bag-valve-
mask (BVM) resuscitator. The development of which
condition during the provision of care would lead the team to
suspect that improper BVM technique is being used?
A. Hypertension
B. Esophageal injury
C. Pneumothorax
D. Rib fracture
Correct Answer: Pneumothorax
Rationale: Complications can occur with the use of a BVM
resuscitator because of improper technique. Delivering
excessive volume or ventilating too rapidly creates excessive
pressure that can damage the airways, lungs, and other organs.
,Excessive ventilation volume can contribute to a tension
pneumothorax.
Question 2: A person suddenly collapses while sitting in the
sunroom of a healthcare facility. A healthcare provider
observes the event and hurries over to assess the situation.
Which assessment should the healthcare provider perform
first?
A. Rapid assessment
B. Basic life support assessment
C. Secondary assessment
D. Primary assessment
Correct Answer: Rapid assessment
Rationale: A systematic approach to assessment is necessary.
The healthcare provider should first perform a rapid
assessment, which consists of a visual survey to ensure safety,
form an initial impression of the patient's condition, identify
life-threatening bleeding, and determine the need for
additional resources. This is followed by the primary
assessment and then the secondary assessment.
,Question 3: A patient is receiving ventilation support via a
bag-valve-mask (BVM) resuscitator. Capnography is
established and a blood gas is obtained to evaluate the
adequacy of the ventilations. Which arterial carbon dioxide
(PaCO₂) value signifies adequate ventilation?
A. 10 to 15 mmHg
B. 20 to 25 mmHg
C. 25 to 30 mmHg
D. 35 to 45 mmHg
Correct Answer: 35 to 45 mmHg
Rationale: An arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO₂) value between
35 and 45 mmHg is considered within the normal physiologic
range and indicates adequate ventilation.
Question 4: A resuscitation team is debriefing following a
recent event. A patient experienced cardiac arrest, and
advanced life support was initiated. The patient required
placement of an advanced airway to maintain airway patency.
, Which statement indicates that the team performed high-
quality CPR?
A. “We initiated chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 110 per
minute to a depth of 2.4 inches and then gave 1 ventilation
every 10 seconds.”
B. “We provided chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120
compressions per minute while giving 1 ventilation every 6
seconds without pausing compressions.”
C. “We provided chest compressions at a rate of 80 to 120 per
minute to a depth of at least 2 inches and gave 1 ventilation
every 6 seconds without pausing compressions.”
D. “We kept the rate of chest compressions to around 100 per
minute but adjusted their depth to 1.5 inches while giving 1
ventilation every 3 seconds without pausing compression.”
Correct Answer: “We provided chest compressions at a rate
of 100 to 120 compressions per minute while giving 1
ventilation every 6 seconds without pausing compressions.”
Rationale: When an advanced airway has been placed in a
patient who is in cardiac arrest, chest compressions should be
delivered continuously at 100–120 compressions/min without
Verified Questions and Correct Answers |
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
Certification – Final Assessment
Question 1: A patient experiences cardiac arrest, and the
resuscitation team initiates ventilations using a bag-valve-
mask (BVM) resuscitator. The development of which
condition during the provision of care would lead the team to
suspect that improper BVM technique is being used?
A. Hypertension
B. Esophageal injury
C. Pneumothorax
D. Rib fracture
Correct Answer: Pneumothorax
Rationale: Complications can occur with the use of a BVM
resuscitator because of improper technique. Delivering
excessive volume or ventilating too rapidly creates excessive
pressure that can damage the airways, lungs, and other organs.
,Excessive ventilation volume can contribute to a tension
pneumothorax.
Question 2: A person suddenly collapses while sitting in the
sunroom of a healthcare facility. A healthcare provider
observes the event and hurries over to assess the situation.
Which assessment should the healthcare provider perform
first?
A. Rapid assessment
B. Basic life support assessment
C. Secondary assessment
D. Primary assessment
Correct Answer: Rapid assessment
Rationale: A systematic approach to assessment is necessary.
The healthcare provider should first perform a rapid
assessment, which consists of a visual survey to ensure safety,
form an initial impression of the patient's condition, identify
life-threatening bleeding, and determine the need for
additional resources. This is followed by the primary
assessment and then the secondary assessment.
,Question 3: A patient is receiving ventilation support via a
bag-valve-mask (BVM) resuscitator. Capnography is
established and a blood gas is obtained to evaluate the
adequacy of the ventilations. Which arterial carbon dioxide
(PaCO₂) value signifies adequate ventilation?
A. 10 to 15 mmHg
B. 20 to 25 mmHg
C. 25 to 30 mmHg
D. 35 to 45 mmHg
Correct Answer: 35 to 45 mmHg
Rationale: An arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO₂) value between
35 and 45 mmHg is considered within the normal physiologic
range and indicates adequate ventilation.
Question 4: A resuscitation team is debriefing following a
recent event. A patient experienced cardiac arrest, and
advanced life support was initiated. The patient required
placement of an advanced airway to maintain airway patency.
, Which statement indicates that the team performed high-
quality CPR?
A. “We initiated chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 110 per
minute to a depth of 2.4 inches and then gave 1 ventilation
every 10 seconds.”
B. “We provided chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120
compressions per minute while giving 1 ventilation every 6
seconds without pausing compressions.”
C. “We provided chest compressions at a rate of 80 to 120 per
minute to a depth of at least 2 inches and gave 1 ventilation
every 6 seconds without pausing compressions.”
D. “We kept the rate of chest compressions to around 100 per
minute but adjusted their depth to 1.5 inches while giving 1
ventilation every 3 seconds without pausing compression.”
Correct Answer: “We provided chest compressions at a rate
of 100 to 120 compressions per minute while giving 1
ventilation every 6 seconds without pausing compressions.”
Rationale: When an advanced airway has been placed in a
patient who is in cardiac arrest, chest compressions should be
delivered continuously at 100–120 compressions/min without
