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ACLS (ADVANCED CARDIOVASCULAR LIFE SUPPORT) EXAM
PREP BANK 2026 | 100 EXAM-STYLE PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
Clinical / Nursing / Healthcare Emergency Care / Basic Life Support (BLS)
Exam Coverage:
• Section 1 (Q1–20): BLS and CPR quality, compression rate,
depth, ratio, and team dynamics.
• Section 2 (Q21–35): Airway management, adjuncts,
capnography, and ventilation.
• Section 3 (Q36–60): Cardiac arrest algorithms for VF, pVT,
PEA, and asystole.
• Section 4 (Q61–80): Bradycardia and tachycardia
management, including drug therapy and pacing.
• Section 5 (Q81–100): Post-cardiac arrest care, ACS, and
acute stroke management.
Section 1: BLS & CPR Quality (Questions 1–20)
Question 1
A patient collapses in the emergency department. You are the
first responder and must initiate high-quality CPR. The team
leader asks you to confirm the correct compression rate for an
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adult patient. What is the recommended compression rate for
high-quality CPR in adults?
A. 60–80 compressions per minute
B. 80–100 compressions per minute
C. 100–120 compressions per minute
D. 120–140 compressions per minute
CORRECT ANSWER: C ✅
RATIONALE: High-quality CPR requires a compression rate of
100–120 per minute. This rate optimizes coronary perfusion
pressure and cardiac output. Rates that are too slow (A, B) or
too fast (D) reduce the effectiveness of CPR and may
compromise patient outcomes.
Question 2
You are performing chest compressions on an adult in cardiac
arrest. The team leader observes that your compressions may
not be deep enough to generate adequate blood flow. What is
the recommended compression depth for adult CPR?
A. At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B. At least 2 inches (5 cm) but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
C. At least 3 inches (7.5 cm)
D. At least 4 inches (10 cm)
CORRECT ANSWER: B ✅
RATIONALE: The AHA recommends a compression depth of at
least 2 inches (5 cm) but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm) for
adult CPR. Adequate depth ensures sufficient blood flow to vital
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organs, while excessive depth (C, D) increases the risk of injury.
Insufficient depth (A) fails to generate adequate perfusion.
Question 3
A single rescuer is performing CPR on an adult patient who
suddenly collapsed. The rescuer must deliver both
compressions and ventilations. What is the recommended
compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer performing
CPR on an adult?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
C. 30:1
D. 15:1
CORRECT ANSWER: B ✅
RATIONALE: The compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single
rescuer performing CPR on an adult is 30:2. This ratio
maximizes the number of compressions while providing
adequate ventilation. A ratio of 15:2 (A) is used for two-rescuer
infant and child CPR. Options C and D do not provide sufficient
ventilation.
Question 4
You are leading a resuscitation team. To maintain high-quality
chest compressions, you must ensure that rescuers switch
roles before fatigue impairs compression quality. How often
should rescuers switch roles during two-rescuer CPR?
A. Every 1 minute
B. Every 2 minutes
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C. Every 5 minutes
D. Every 10 minutes
CORRECT ANSWER: B ✅
RATIONALE: Rescuers should switch roles approximately every
2 minutes (or after 5 cycles of 30:2) to maintain high-quality
chest compressions and prevent fatigue. Switching every 1
minute (A) is unnecessarily frequent and interrupts CPR.
Waiting 5 or 10 minutes (C, D) allows fatigue to degrade
compression quality.
Question 5
A patient is in cardiac arrest. After 2 minutes of CPR, the rhythm
check reveals a shockable rhythm. The defibrillator is charged
and ready. What is the maximum interval between the last
compression and the delivery of the shock?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 15 seconds
D. 20 seconds
CORRECT ANSWER: B ✅
RATIONALE: The maximum interval between the last
compression and shock delivery should be no more than 10
seconds. Minimizing interruptions in chest compressions
preserves coronary perfusion pressure. Intervals of 15 or 20
seconds (C, D) are too long and reduce the likelihood of
successful defibrillation.
ACLS (ADVANCED CARDIOVASCULAR LIFE SUPPORT) EXAM
PREP BANK 2026 | 100 EXAM-STYLE PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
Clinical / Nursing / Healthcare Emergency Care / Basic Life Support (BLS)
Exam Coverage:
• Section 1 (Q1–20): BLS and CPR quality, compression rate,
depth, ratio, and team dynamics.
• Section 2 (Q21–35): Airway management, adjuncts,
capnography, and ventilation.
• Section 3 (Q36–60): Cardiac arrest algorithms for VF, pVT,
PEA, and asystole.
• Section 4 (Q61–80): Bradycardia and tachycardia
management, including drug therapy and pacing.
• Section 5 (Q81–100): Post-cardiac arrest care, ACS, and
acute stroke management.
Section 1: BLS & CPR Quality (Questions 1–20)
Question 1
A patient collapses in the emergency department. You are the
first responder and must initiate high-quality CPR. The team
leader asks you to confirm the correct compression rate for an
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adult patient. What is the recommended compression rate for
high-quality CPR in adults?
A. 60–80 compressions per minute
B. 80–100 compressions per minute
C. 100–120 compressions per minute
D. 120–140 compressions per minute
CORRECT ANSWER: C ✅
RATIONALE: High-quality CPR requires a compression rate of
100–120 per minute. This rate optimizes coronary perfusion
pressure and cardiac output. Rates that are too slow (A, B) or
too fast (D) reduce the effectiveness of CPR and may
compromise patient outcomes.
Question 2
You are performing chest compressions on an adult in cardiac
arrest. The team leader observes that your compressions may
not be deep enough to generate adequate blood flow. What is
the recommended compression depth for adult CPR?
A. At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B. At least 2 inches (5 cm) but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
C. At least 3 inches (7.5 cm)
D. At least 4 inches (10 cm)
CORRECT ANSWER: B ✅
RATIONALE: The AHA recommends a compression depth of at
least 2 inches (5 cm) but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm) for
adult CPR. Adequate depth ensures sufficient blood flow to vital
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organs, while excessive depth (C, D) increases the risk of injury.
Insufficient depth (A) fails to generate adequate perfusion.
Question 3
A single rescuer is performing CPR on an adult patient who
suddenly collapsed. The rescuer must deliver both
compressions and ventilations. What is the recommended
compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer performing
CPR on an adult?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
C. 30:1
D. 15:1
CORRECT ANSWER: B ✅
RATIONALE: The compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single
rescuer performing CPR on an adult is 30:2. This ratio
maximizes the number of compressions while providing
adequate ventilation. A ratio of 15:2 (A) is used for two-rescuer
infant and child CPR. Options C and D do not provide sufficient
ventilation.
Question 4
You are leading a resuscitation team. To maintain high-quality
chest compressions, you must ensure that rescuers switch
roles before fatigue impairs compression quality. How often
should rescuers switch roles during two-rescuer CPR?
A. Every 1 minute
B. Every 2 minutes
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C. Every 5 minutes
D. Every 10 minutes
CORRECT ANSWER: B ✅
RATIONALE: Rescuers should switch roles approximately every
2 minutes (or after 5 cycles of 30:2) to maintain high-quality
chest compressions and prevent fatigue. Switching every 1
minute (A) is unnecessarily frequent and interrupts CPR.
Waiting 5 or 10 minutes (C, D) allows fatigue to degrade
compression quality.
Question 5
A patient is in cardiac arrest. After 2 minutes of CPR, the rhythm
check reveals a shockable rhythm. The defibrillator is charged
and ready. What is the maximum interval between the last
compression and the delivery of the shock?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 15 seconds
D. 20 seconds
CORRECT ANSWER: B ✅
RATIONALE: The maximum interval between the last
compression and shock delivery should be no more than 10
seconds. Minimizing interruptions in chest compressions
preserves coronary perfusion pressure. Intervals of 15 or 20
seconds (C, D) are too long and reduce the likelihood of
successful defibrillation.
