A & B with Answers & Explanations
Description:
Prepare for your Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support certification with our expertly crafted
2026 ACLS practice exam. This free resource mirrors the official AHA exam format,
featuring updated questions on cardiac arrest algorithms, pharmacology, mega code
scenarios, and post-ROSC care aligned with current American Heart Association
guidelines. Our detailed answer explanations help you master complex concepts like managing
refractory VF, symptomatic bradycardia, and STEMI identification. Whether you're a
physician, nurse, or paramedic in the USA preparing for initial certification or renewal, this test
provides the most realistic simulation available online.
Ready to ace your certification? Download your free full-length practice test now and test your
skills with confidence!
, ACLS Practice Test 2026: Free Quiz with Answers & Explanations
1. You are the first to respond to a collapsed adult who is unresponsive and not breathing
normally. After activating the emergency response system, what is your immediate next action?
A. Check for a carotid pulse.
B. Begin chest compressions.
C. Retrieve the AED.
D. Deliver two rescue breaths.
Answer: B
Explanation: For any unresponsive patient not breathing normally (or only gasping), the
immediate priority after activation of EMS is to begin high-quality chest compressions to
circulate oxygenated blood to the brain and heart.
2. A 58-year-old patient presents with acute, crushing chest pain. What is the single most critical
assessment step to differentiate a cardiac cause from other potential causes?
A. Administer aspirin.
B. Obtain intravenous access.
C. Obtain a 12-lead ECG.
D. Administer sublingual nitroglycerin.
Answer: C
Explanation: The 12-lead ECG is paramount as it can rapidly identify ST-segment elevation
myocardial infarction (STEMI), enabling immediate activation of the cardiac catheterization lab
for reperfusion therapy, which is time-critical.
3. During a cardiac arrest, if intravenous (IV) access is not readily available, what is the
preferred alternative route for drug administration according to current guidelines?
A. Endotracheal tube
B. Intramuscular injection
C. Intraosseous (IO) access
D. Sublingual administration