AHA ACLS 2026/2027 Certification Exam & Answers –
Comprehensive Study Guide | Verified Questions &
Solutions Guaranteed Pass
SECTION 1 — ADULT BLS & HIGH-QUALITY CPR
Question 1
A healthcare professional finds an adult who is unresponsive and not breathing
normally. What should be done first?
A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
B. Check the patient's blood pressure
C. Activate the emergency response system and begin assessment for cardiac
arrest
D. Establish IV access
Answer: C
Rationale: An unresponsive adult with absent or abnormal breathing should be
treated as a potential cardiac arrest. Rapid recognition and activation of the
emergency response system allow CPR and defibrillation to begin as quickly as
possible.
Question 2
Which finding most strongly indicates cardiac arrest in an adult?
A. Slow respiratory rate
B. Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing
C. Blood pressure of 90/60 mm Hg
D. Heart rate of 55/min
Answer: B
Rationale: Cardiac arrest should be suspected in an unresponsive person who is
not breathing normally, including gasping. Pulse assessment is performed by
trained healthcare professionals, but prolonged pulse checks should not delay
CPR.
,Question 3
What is the recommended adult chest-compression rate during CPR?
A. 60–80/min
B. 80–90/min
C. 100–120/min
D. 130–150/min
Answer: C
Rationale: High-quality adult CPR requires a compression rate of 100–120
compressions/min. Rates substantially slower or faster can reduce CPR
effectiveness.
Question 4
What is the recommended adult chest-compression depth?
A. At least 1 cm
B. At least 2 cm
C. At least 5 cm while avoiding excessive depth
D. Exactly 7 cm
Answer: C
Rationale: Adult compressions should be approximately 5 cm (2 inches) deep
while avoiding excessive depth. Adequate depth is necessary to generate effective
blood flow.
Question 5
Which characteristic is essential for high-quality CPR?
A. Frequent interruptions
B. Complete chest recoil
,C. Slow compressions
D. Hyperventilation
Answer: B
Rationale: Full chest recoil allows the heart to refill between compressions.
Incomplete recoil can decrease venous return and reduce cardiac output during
CPR.
Question 6
A patient is receiving chest compressions. Which action should the compressor
prioritize?
A. Leaning on the chest between compressions
B. Maintaining complete recoil
C. Pausing every 10 seconds
D. Delivering rapid ventilations
Answer: B
Rationale: Complete recoil is a fundamental component of high-quality CPR.
Leaning prevents the chest from fully returning to its normal position.
Question 7
What is the adult CPR compression-to-ventilation ratio when no advanced airway
is in place?
A. 15:2
B. 20:2
C. 30:2
D. 40:2
Answer: C
Rationale: For adult CPR without an advanced airway, rescuers perform 30
compressions followed by 2 breaths.
, Question 8
Two healthcare professionals are performing CPR on an adult without an
advanced airway. What is the recommended approach?
A. One performs 15 compressions while the other gives one breath
B. One performs 30 compressions while the other provides 2 breaths
C. Both ventilate simultaneously
D. Compress continuously without ventilation
Answer: B
Rationale: Adult CPR without an advanced airway remains 30:2. Team members
should coordinate to minimize interruptions.
Question 9
Which statement about interruptions in chest compressions is correct?
A. They should be minimized
B. They should occur every minute
C. They improve coronary perfusion
D. They are required after every medication
Answer: A
Rationale: Interruptions decrease coronary and cerebral perfusion pressure.
Teams should minimize pauses, particularly around rhythm assessment and
defibrillation.
Question 10
When should rescuers switch the compressor during prolonged CPR?
A. Every 30 seconds
B. Approximately every 2 minutes
Comprehensive Study Guide | Verified Questions &
Solutions Guaranteed Pass
SECTION 1 — ADULT BLS & HIGH-QUALITY CPR
Question 1
A healthcare professional finds an adult who is unresponsive and not breathing
normally. What should be done first?
A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
B. Check the patient's blood pressure
C. Activate the emergency response system and begin assessment for cardiac
arrest
D. Establish IV access
Answer: C
Rationale: An unresponsive adult with absent or abnormal breathing should be
treated as a potential cardiac arrest. Rapid recognition and activation of the
emergency response system allow CPR and defibrillation to begin as quickly as
possible.
Question 2
Which finding most strongly indicates cardiac arrest in an adult?
A. Slow respiratory rate
B. Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing
C. Blood pressure of 90/60 mm Hg
D. Heart rate of 55/min
Answer: B
Rationale: Cardiac arrest should be suspected in an unresponsive person who is
not breathing normally, including gasping. Pulse assessment is performed by
trained healthcare professionals, but prolonged pulse checks should not delay
CPR.
,Question 3
What is the recommended adult chest-compression rate during CPR?
A. 60–80/min
B. 80–90/min
C. 100–120/min
D. 130–150/min
Answer: C
Rationale: High-quality adult CPR requires a compression rate of 100–120
compressions/min. Rates substantially slower or faster can reduce CPR
effectiveness.
Question 4
What is the recommended adult chest-compression depth?
A. At least 1 cm
B. At least 2 cm
C. At least 5 cm while avoiding excessive depth
D. Exactly 7 cm
Answer: C
Rationale: Adult compressions should be approximately 5 cm (2 inches) deep
while avoiding excessive depth. Adequate depth is necessary to generate effective
blood flow.
Question 5
Which characteristic is essential for high-quality CPR?
A. Frequent interruptions
B. Complete chest recoil
,C. Slow compressions
D. Hyperventilation
Answer: B
Rationale: Full chest recoil allows the heart to refill between compressions.
Incomplete recoil can decrease venous return and reduce cardiac output during
CPR.
Question 6
A patient is receiving chest compressions. Which action should the compressor
prioritize?
A. Leaning on the chest between compressions
B. Maintaining complete recoil
C. Pausing every 10 seconds
D. Delivering rapid ventilations
Answer: B
Rationale: Complete recoil is a fundamental component of high-quality CPR.
Leaning prevents the chest from fully returning to its normal position.
Question 7
What is the adult CPR compression-to-ventilation ratio when no advanced airway
is in place?
A. 15:2
B. 20:2
C. 30:2
D. 40:2
Answer: C
Rationale: For adult CPR without an advanced airway, rescuers perform 30
compressions followed by 2 breaths.
, Question 8
Two healthcare professionals are performing CPR on an adult without an
advanced airway. What is the recommended approach?
A. One performs 15 compressions while the other gives one breath
B. One performs 30 compressions while the other provides 2 breaths
C. Both ventilate simultaneously
D. Compress continuously without ventilation
Answer: B
Rationale: Adult CPR without an advanced airway remains 30:2. Team members
should coordinate to minimize interruptions.
Question 9
Which statement about interruptions in chest compressions is correct?
A. They should be minimized
B. They should occur every minute
C. They improve coronary perfusion
D. They are required after every medication
Answer: A
Rationale: Interruptions decrease coronary and cerebral perfusion pressure.
Teams should minimize pauses, particularly around rhythm assessment and
defibrillation.
Question 10
When should rescuers switch the compressor during prolonged CPR?
A. Every 30 seconds
B. Approximately every 2 minutes
