2025 ACLS Provider Written Exam – 50 Actual
Questions with Verified Correct Answers &
AHA-Based Explanations | A+ Graded
Grade A+ Guaranteed | Latest 2025/2026 Edition | American Heart Association (AHA)
Guidelines Compliant
This verified exam for the 2025 ACLS Provider Written Exam is based on the latest AHA
guidelines (2020-2025 updates, including post-cardiac arrest care and team dynamics). It
includes 50 multiple-choice questions with verified correct answers in red and AHA-based
rationales for each. The actual exam is 50 questions (open-book, 10% pass rate per question,
70% overall). Use this for targeted review—aim for 90%+ (45/50) to ensure certification
success. Questions cover rhythm recognition, pharmacology, algorithms, and practical
application.
Section 1: Basic Concepts and High-Quality CPR (10 Questions)
1. You find an unresponsive patient who is not breathing. After activating the emergency
response system, you determine there is no pulse. What is your next action? Start CPR
with 100-120 compressions per minute Rationale: AHA guidelines emphasize immediate
high-quality CPR for unresponsive, pulseless patients to restore circulation; compressions should
be at 100-120/min with full recoil (AHA ACLS Provider Manual, p. 19).
2. Which action is a component of high-quality chest compressions? Allowing complete
chest recoil Rationale: Complete recoil maximizes venous return and cardiac output; partial
recoil reduces effectiveness by up to 20% (AHA BLS/ACLS Guidelines, 2020 Update).
3. Which action increases the chance of successful conversion of ventricular fibrillation?
Providing quality compressions immediately before a defibrillation attempt Rationale: Pre-
shock compressions minimize rhythm deterioration and improve defibrillation success by
maintaining coronary perfusion (AHA ACLS Algorithm, VF/pVT).
, 4. What is the best strategy for performing high-quality CPR on a patient with an
advanced airway in place? Provide continuous chest compressions without pauses and 10
ventilations per minute Rationale: With an advanced airway, avoid interrupting compressions;
ventilate at 10 breaths/min to prevent hyperventilation and maintain oxygenation (AHA ACLS
Provider Manual, p. 34).
5. Three minutes after witnessing a cardiac arrest, one member of your team inserts an
endotracheal tube while another performs continuous chest compressions. Which
statement is true about the quality of CPR? The team is providing high-quality CPR
Rationale: CPR quality is maintained with minimal interruptions (<10 seconds); advanced
airway placement during compressions aligns with AHA team dynamics (AHA ACLS Provider
Manual, p. 22).
6. What is the recommended compression rate for high-quality CPR? 100-120 per minute
Rationale: This rate optimizes cardiac output; slower rates reduce survival by 10-20% per
minute delay (AHA BLS/ACLS Guidelines, 2020).
7. What is the recommended depth of chest compressions for adults? 2-2.4 inches (5-6 cm)
Rationale: Adequate depth ensures effective circulation; shallower compressions (<2 inches)
reduce output by 50% (AHA BLS/ACLS Guidelines, 2020).
8. Which element of a system of care is represented by properly functioning resuscitation
equipment? Readiness Rationale: Readiness ensures equipment availability and functionality, a
core component of the chain of survival (AHA ACLS Provider Manual, p. 5).
9. What is the first link in the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) chain of survival?
Early recognition and activation of emergency response Rationale: Prompt 911 call and
bystander CPR initiation improve outcomes by 50% (AHA ACLS Provider Manual, p. 6).
10. What are signs of clinical deterioration that prompt rapid response team activation?
Acute change in respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, or mental status Rationale: Early
warning signs (e.g., RR >30 or <8) trigger MET/RRT to prevent arrest (AHA ACLS Provider
Manual, p. 7).
Questions with Verified Correct Answers &
AHA-Based Explanations | A+ Graded
Grade A+ Guaranteed | Latest 2025/2026 Edition | American Heart Association (AHA)
Guidelines Compliant
This verified exam for the 2025 ACLS Provider Written Exam is based on the latest AHA
guidelines (2020-2025 updates, including post-cardiac arrest care and team dynamics). It
includes 50 multiple-choice questions with verified correct answers in red and AHA-based
rationales for each. The actual exam is 50 questions (open-book, 10% pass rate per question,
70% overall). Use this for targeted review—aim for 90%+ (45/50) to ensure certification
success. Questions cover rhythm recognition, pharmacology, algorithms, and practical
application.
Section 1: Basic Concepts and High-Quality CPR (10 Questions)
1. You find an unresponsive patient who is not breathing. After activating the emergency
response system, you determine there is no pulse. What is your next action? Start CPR
with 100-120 compressions per minute Rationale: AHA guidelines emphasize immediate
high-quality CPR for unresponsive, pulseless patients to restore circulation; compressions should
be at 100-120/min with full recoil (AHA ACLS Provider Manual, p. 19).
2. Which action is a component of high-quality chest compressions? Allowing complete
chest recoil Rationale: Complete recoil maximizes venous return and cardiac output; partial
recoil reduces effectiveness by up to 20% (AHA BLS/ACLS Guidelines, 2020 Update).
3. Which action increases the chance of successful conversion of ventricular fibrillation?
Providing quality compressions immediately before a defibrillation attempt Rationale: Pre-
shock compressions minimize rhythm deterioration and improve defibrillation success by
maintaining coronary perfusion (AHA ACLS Algorithm, VF/pVT).
, 4. What is the best strategy for performing high-quality CPR on a patient with an
advanced airway in place? Provide continuous chest compressions without pauses and 10
ventilations per minute Rationale: With an advanced airway, avoid interrupting compressions;
ventilate at 10 breaths/min to prevent hyperventilation and maintain oxygenation (AHA ACLS
Provider Manual, p. 34).
5. Three minutes after witnessing a cardiac arrest, one member of your team inserts an
endotracheal tube while another performs continuous chest compressions. Which
statement is true about the quality of CPR? The team is providing high-quality CPR
Rationale: CPR quality is maintained with minimal interruptions (<10 seconds); advanced
airway placement during compressions aligns with AHA team dynamics (AHA ACLS Provider
Manual, p. 22).
6. What is the recommended compression rate for high-quality CPR? 100-120 per minute
Rationale: This rate optimizes cardiac output; slower rates reduce survival by 10-20% per
minute delay (AHA BLS/ACLS Guidelines, 2020).
7. What is the recommended depth of chest compressions for adults? 2-2.4 inches (5-6 cm)
Rationale: Adequate depth ensures effective circulation; shallower compressions (<2 inches)
reduce output by 50% (AHA BLS/ACLS Guidelines, 2020).
8. Which element of a system of care is represented by properly functioning resuscitation
equipment? Readiness Rationale: Readiness ensures equipment availability and functionality, a
core component of the chain of survival (AHA ACLS Provider Manual, p. 5).
9. What is the first link in the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) chain of survival?
Early recognition and activation of emergency response Rationale: Prompt 911 call and
bystander CPR initiation improve outcomes by 50% (AHA ACLS Provider Manual, p. 6).
10. What are signs of clinical deterioration that prompt rapid response team activation?
Acute change in respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, or mental status Rationale: Early
warning signs (e.g., RR >30 or <8) trigger MET/RRT to prevent arrest (AHA ACLS Provider
Manual, p. 7).
