AHA ACLS Practice Exam
1. What is the recommended chest compression rate for adult CPR?
A. 60 to 80 per minute
B. 100 to 120 per minute
C. 80 to 100 per minute
D. 120 to 140 per minute
Correct Answer: B. 100 to 120 per minute
Rationale: AHA recommends a compression rate of 100 to 120 per minute for
adults to maintain adequate perfusion.
2. What is the recommended compression depth for an adult?
A. 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B. 1.5 inches (4 cm)
C. 3 inches (7.5 cm)
D. At least 2 inches (5 cm) but not more than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
Correct Answer: D. At least 2 inches (5 cm) but not more than 2.4 inches (6
cm)
Rationale: Adequate depth generates blood flow, while excessive depth increases
the risk of injury.
3. Which action is part of high-quality CPR?
A. Lean on the chest between compressions
B. Pause frequently to check the pulse
C. Allow full chest recoil after each compression
D. Ventilate rapidly and forcefully
Correct Answer: C. Allow full chest recoil after each compression
Rationale: Full recoil allows the heart to refill. Leaning on the chest reduces venous
return and coronary perfusion.
,4. What is the maximum recommended duration of interruptions in chest
compressions?
A. 30 seconds
B. 45 seconds
C. 60 seconds
D. Less than 10 seconds
Correct Answer: D. Less than 10 seconds
Rationale: Interruptions should be minimized and limited to under 10 seconds, with
a compression fraction of at least 60 percent.
5. For an adult with no advanced airway in place, what is the
compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer?
A. 15:2
B. 5:1
C. 30:2
D. 15:1
Correct Answer: C. 30:2
Rationale: A ratio of 30 compressions to 2 breaths is used until an advanced airway
is placed.
6. After an advanced airway is placed, how should ventilation be delivered?
A. 2 breaths after every 30 compressions
B. 1 breath every 3 seconds
C. 1 breath every 6 seconds with continuous compressions
D. 1 breath every 10 seconds
Correct Answer: C. 1 breath every 6 seconds with continuous compressions
Rationale: With an advanced airway, deliver 10 breaths per minute without pausing
compressions.
,7. How long should the rescuer take to check for a pulse during a cardiac
arrest evaluation?
A. 30 seconds
B. No more than 10 seconds
C. At least 20 seconds
D. 1 full minute
Correct Answer: B. No more than 10 seconds
Rationale: Pulse checks should not delay compressions. Take no more than 10
seconds.
8. How often should the cardiac rhythm be reassessed during CPR?
A. Every 30 seconds
B. Every 5 minutes
C. Every 10 minutes
D. Every 2 minutes
Correct Answer: D. Every 2 minutes
Rationale: A 2-minute cycle of CPR is followed by a rhythm check, with the
compressor role rotated at the same time.
9. Which of the following are shockable rhythms?
A. Asystole and PEA
B. Sinus bradycardia and asystole
C. PEA and sinus tachycardia
D. Ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia
Correct Answer: D. Ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular
tachycardia
Rationale: VF and pulseless VT respond to defibrillation.
, 10. Which of the following are non-shockable cardiac arrest rhythms?
A. Asystole and pulseless electrical activity
B. Ventricular fibrillation
C. Pulseless ventricular tachycardia
D. Torsades de pointes with no pulse
Correct Answer: A. Asystole and pulseless electrical activity
Rationale: Defibrillation is not effective for asystole or PEA. Treatment is
high-quality CPR, epinephrine, and treating reversible causes.
11. What energy should be used for the first shock with a biphasic
defibrillator?
A. The manufacturer's recommended dose (120 to 200 J); use the maximum if
unknown
B. 50 J
C. A fixed dose of 360 J
D. 10 J
Correct Answer: A. The manufacturer's recommended dose (120 to 200 J); use
the maximum if unknown
Rationale: Follow the device recommendation. If it is unknown, use the maximum
available dose.
12. What is the monophasic defibrillation dose for an adult?
A. 360 J
B. 100 J
C. 200 J
D. 50 J
Correct Answer: A. 360 J
Rationale: Monophasic defibrillators use 360 J for each shock.
1. What is the recommended chest compression rate for adult CPR?
A. 60 to 80 per minute
B. 100 to 120 per minute
C. 80 to 100 per minute
D. 120 to 140 per minute
Correct Answer: B. 100 to 120 per minute
Rationale: AHA recommends a compression rate of 100 to 120 per minute for
adults to maintain adequate perfusion.
2. What is the recommended compression depth for an adult?
A. 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B. 1.5 inches (4 cm)
C. 3 inches (7.5 cm)
D. At least 2 inches (5 cm) but not more than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
Correct Answer: D. At least 2 inches (5 cm) but not more than 2.4 inches (6
cm)
Rationale: Adequate depth generates blood flow, while excessive depth increases
the risk of injury.
3. Which action is part of high-quality CPR?
A. Lean on the chest between compressions
B. Pause frequently to check the pulse
C. Allow full chest recoil after each compression
D. Ventilate rapidly and forcefully
Correct Answer: C. Allow full chest recoil after each compression
Rationale: Full recoil allows the heart to refill. Leaning on the chest reduces venous
return and coronary perfusion.
,4. What is the maximum recommended duration of interruptions in chest
compressions?
A. 30 seconds
B. 45 seconds
C. 60 seconds
D. Less than 10 seconds
Correct Answer: D. Less than 10 seconds
Rationale: Interruptions should be minimized and limited to under 10 seconds, with
a compression fraction of at least 60 percent.
5. For an adult with no advanced airway in place, what is the
compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer?
A. 15:2
B. 5:1
C. 30:2
D. 15:1
Correct Answer: C. 30:2
Rationale: A ratio of 30 compressions to 2 breaths is used until an advanced airway
is placed.
6. After an advanced airway is placed, how should ventilation be delivered?
A. 2 breaths after every 30 compressions
B. 1 breath every 3 seconds
C. 1 breath every 6 seconds with continuous compressions
D. 1 breath every 10 seconds
Correct Answer: C. 1 breath every 6 seconds with continuous compressions
Rationale: With an advanced airway, deliver 10 breaths per minute without pausing
compressions.
,7. How long should the rescuer take to check for a pulse during a cardiac
arrest evaluation?
A. 30 seconds
B. No more than 10 seconds
C. At least 20 seconds
D. 1 full minute
Correct Answer: B. No more than 10 seconds
Rationale: Pulse checks should not delay compressions. Take no more than 10
seconds.
8. How often should the cardiac rhythm be reassessed during CPR?
A. Every 30 seconds
B. Every 5 minutes
C. Every 10 minutes
D. Every 2 minutes
Correct Answer: D. Every 2 minutes
Rationale: A 2-minute cycle of CPR is followed by a rhythm check, with the
compressor role rotated at the same time.
9. Which of the following are shockable rhythms?
A. Asystole and PEA
B. Sinus bradycardia and asystole
C. PEA and sinus tachycardia
D. Ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia
Correct Answer: D. Ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular
tachycardia
Rationale: VF and pulseless VT respond to defibrillation.
, 10. Which of the following are non-shockable cardiac arrest rhythms?
A. Asystole and pulseless electrical activity
B. Ventricular fibrillation
C. Pulseless ventricular tachycardia
D. Torsades de pointes with no pulse
Correct Answer: A. Asystole and pulseless electrical activity
Rationale: Defibrillation is not effective for asystole or PEA. Treatment is
high-quality CPR, epinephrine, and treating reversible causes.
11. What energy should be used for the first shock with a biphasic
defibrillator?
A. The manufacturer's recommended dose (120 to 200 J); use the maximum if
unknown
B. 50 J
C. A fixed dose of 360 J
D. 10 J
Correct Answer: A. The manufacturer's recommended dose (120 to 200 J); use
the maximum if unknown
Rationale: Follow the device recommendation. If it is unknown, use the maximum
available dose.
12. What is the monophasic defibrillation dose for an adult?
A. 360 J
B. 100 J
C. 200 J
D. 50 J
Correct Answer: A. 360 J
Rationale: Monophasic defibrillators use 360 J for each shock.
