American Red Cross ACLS Cardiac
Arrest Management Examination
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. An adult patient suddenly becomes unresponsive and is not
breathing normally. What should the rescuer do first after ensuring
the scene is safe?
A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
B. Administer oxygen
C. Begin assessment for responsiveness and normal breathing
D. Establish intravenous access
Answer: C. Begin assessment for responsiveness and normal
breathing
Rationale: An unresponsive adult who is not breathing normally
requires immediate recognition of possible cardiac arrest. After
confirming scene safety, the rescuer should rapidly assess
responsiveness and breathing, activate the emergency response system,
and proceed with CPR when indicated. Obtaining an ECG, oxygen
administration, and IV access are important later but should not delay
recognition and treatment of cardiac arrest.
2. Which finding most strongly indicates cardiac arrest in an adult?
A. Slow but regular breathing
B. Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing
,C. Mild chest discomfort with normal consciousness
D. Palpitations with a palpable pulse
Answer: B. Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing
Rationale: Cardiac arrest should be suspected when a person is
unresponsive and has no normal breathing. Occasional gasping or
agonal respirations are not considered normal breathing and should
not delay CPR. A person who is conscious and has a definite pulse is
not in cardiac arrest, even if experiencing chest discomfort or
palpitations.
3. When cardiac arrest is suspected, what is the most important
immediate intervention?
A. Start high-quality CPR
B. Obtain a complete medical history
C. Prepare the patient for transport
D. Perform a detailed neurological examination
Answer: A. Start high-quality CPR
Rationale: High-quality CPR provides circulatory support to the brain
and heart while the team prepares for defibrillation and other
advanced interventions. Every minute without effective CPR and
defibrillation when indicated reduces the likelihood of successful
resuscitation. Detailed history-taking and nonessential examinations
should wait until immediate life-threatening needs are addressed.
4. Which compression rate is recommended for adult CPR?
A. 60 to 80 compressions/minute
B. 80 to 90 compressions/minute
C. 90 to 100 compressions/minute
D. 100 to 120 compressions/minute
,Answer: D. 100 to 120 compressions/minute
Rationale: Adult chest compressions should generally be delivered at a
rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Rates substantially slower
than this can reduce blood flow, whereas excessively rapid
compressions may reduce compression depth and interfere with
complete chest recoil. Maintaining an appropriate rate is one
component of high-quality CPR.
5. What is the recommended chest-compression depth for an adult?
A. About 1 inch
B. About 1.5 inches
C. At least 2 inches (5 cm)
D. More than 3 inches
_Answer: C. At least 2 inches (5 cm)
Rationale: Adult chest compressions should be performed to a depth of
at least 2 inches, or approximately 5 cm, while avoiding excessive
depth. Adequate depth is necessary to generate meaningful forward
blood flow. The rescuer should allow complete chest recoil after every
compression so the heart can refill between compressions.
6. Which technique best promotes high-quality chest compressions?
A. Pause after every five compressions
B. Allow complete chest recoil between compressions
C. Compress primarily over the upper sternum
D. Keep continuous pressure on the chest
Answer: B. Allow complete chest recoil between compressions
Rationale: Complete chest recoil is essential because it allows the
heart to refill with blood between compressions. Leaning on the chest
or failing to release pressure can decrease venous return and reduce
, the effectiveness of CPR. Rescuers should maintain an appropriate
rate and depth while minimizing interruptions.
7. An adult cardiac arrest victim has no advanced airway in place.
What compression-to-ventilation ratio should generally be used by
a single rescuer?
A. 15:1
B. 15:2
C. 30:2
D. 50:2
Answer: C. 30:2
Rationale: For adult CPR without an advanced airway, the standard
compression-to-ventilation ratio is 30 compressions followed by 2
breaths. This approach balances circulation from chest compressions
with oxygenation and ventilation. Interruptions should be as brief as
possible, and rescuers should resume compressions promptly after the
two breaths.
8. What is a major reason interruptions in chest compressions should
be minimized?
A. They increase oxygen consumption by the rescuer
B. They make ECG interpretation impossible
C. They prevent IV placement
D. They reduce coronary and cerebral perfusion
Answer: D. They reduce coronary and cerebral perfusion
Rationale: Chest compressions generate the pressure needed to
circulate blood to the coronary and cerebral arteries. When
compressions stop, this pressure rapidly falls. Repeated or prolonged
pauses therefore decrease perfusion and can make successful
Arrest Management Examination
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. An adult patient suddenly becomes unresponsive and is not
breathing normally. What should the rescuer do first after ensuring
the scene is safe?
A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
B. Administer oxygen
C. Begin assessment for responsiveness and normal breathing
D. Establish intravenous access
Answer: C. Begin assessment for responsiveness and normal
breathing
Rationale: An unresponsive adult who is not breathing normally
requires immediate recognition of possible cardiac arrest. After
confirming scene safety, the rescuer should rapidly assess
responsiveness and breathing, activate the emergency response system,
and proceed with CPR when indicated. Obtaining an ECG, oxygen
administration, and IV access are important later but should not delay
recognition and treatment of cardiac arrest.
2. Which finding most strongly indicates cardiac arrest in an adult?
A. Slow but regular breathing
B. Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing
,C. Mild chest discomfort with normal consciousness
D. Palpitations with a palpable pulse
Answer: B. Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing
Rationale: Cardiac arrest should be suspected when a person is
unresponsive and has no normal breathing. Occasional gasping or
agonal respirations are not considered normal breathing and should
not delay CPR. A person who is conscious and has a definite pulse is
not in cardiac arrest, even if experiencing chest discomfort or
palpitations.
3. When cardiac arrest is suspected, what is the most important
immediate intervention?
A. Start high-quality CPR
B. Obtain a complete medical history
C. Prepare the patient for transport
D. Perform a detailed neurological examination
Answer: A. Start high-quality CPR
Rationale: High-quality CPR provides circulatory support to the brain
and heart while the team prepares for defibrillation and other
advanced interventions. Every minute without effective CPR and
defibrillation when indicated reduces the likelihood of successful
resuscitation. Detailed history-taking and nonessential examinations
should wait until immediate life-threatening needs are addressed.
4. Which compression rate is recommended for adult CPR?
A. 60 to 80 compressions/minute
B. 80 to 90 compressions/minute
C. 90 to 100 compressions/minute
D. 100 to 120 compressions/minute
,Answer: D. 100 to 120 compressions/minute
Rationale: Adult chest compressions should generally be delivered at a
rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Rates substantially slower
than this can reduce blood flow, whereas excessively rapid
compressions may reduce compression depth and interfere with
complete chest recoil. Maintaining an appropriate rate is one
component of high-quality CPR.
5. What is the recommended chest-compression depth for an adult?
A. About 1 inch
B. About 1.5 inches
C. At least 2 inches (5 cm)
D. More than 3 inches
_Answer: C. At least 2 inches (5 cm)
Rationale: Adult chest compressions should be performed to a depth of
at least 2 inches, or approximately 5 cm, while avoiding excessive
depth. Adequate depth is necessary to generate meaningful forward
blood flow. The rescuer should allow complete chest recoil after every
compression so the heart can refill between compressions.
6. Which technique best promotes high-quality chest compressions?
A. Pause after every five compressions
B. Allow complete chest recoil between compressions
C. Compress primarily over the upper sternum
D. Keep continuous pressure on the chest
Answer: B. Allow complete chest recoil between compressions
Rationale: Complete chest recoil is essential because it allows the
heart to refill with blood between compressions. Leaning on the chest
or failing to release pressure can decrease venous return and reduce
, the effectiveness of CPR. Rescuers should maintain an appropriate
rate and depth while minimizing interruptions.
7. An adult cardiac arrest victim has no advanced airway in place.
What compression-to-ventilation ratio should generally be used by
a single rescuer?
A. 15:1
B. 15:2
C. 30:2
D. 50:2
Answer: C. 30:2
Rationale: For adult CPR without an advanced airway, the standard
compression-to-ventilation ratio is 30 compressions followed by 2
breaths. This approach balances circulation from chest compressions
with oxygenation and ventilation. Interruptions should be as brief as
possible, and rescuers should resume compressions promptly after the
two breaths.
8. What is a major reason interruptions in chest compressions should
be minimized?
A. They increase oxygen consumption by the rescuer
B. They make ECG interpretation impossible
C. They prevent IV placement
D. They reduce coronary and cerebral perfusion
Answer: D. They reduce coronary and cerebral perfusion
Rationale: Chest compressions generate the pressure needed to
circulate blood to the coronary and cerebral arteries. When
compressions stop, this pressure rapidly falls. Repeated or prolonged
pauses therefore decrease perfusion and can make successful
