ACLS EXAM LATEST VERSION 2026/ ADVANCED CARDIOVASCULAR LIFE SUPPORT
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS| NEW VERSION.
VERSION 1
Q1.) A patient experiences cardiac arrest, and the resuscitation team initiates ventilations
using a bag-valve-mask (BVM) resuscitator. The development of which condition during the
provision of care would lead the team to suspect that improper BVM technique is being
used?
Select the correct answer to this question.
>>CORRECT ANS>> Pneumothorax
Q2.) A member of the resuscitation team is preparing to administer medications
intravenously to a patient in cardiac arrest. The team member follows each medication
administration with a bolus of fluid. How much would the team member give?
Select the correct answer to this question.
>>CORRECT ANS>> When administering medications during a cardiac arrest, all medications
administrated through the IV or intraosseous infusion route should be followed by a 10- to
20-mL fluid bolus.
Q3.) The resuscitation team suspects that hyperkalemia is the cause of cardiac arrest in a
patient brought to the emergency department. Which finding on a 12- lead ECG would
confirm this suspicion?
>>CORRECT ANS>> Wide-complex ventricular rhythm and tall, peaked T waves
In hyperkalemia the patient's 12-lead ECG rhythm strip will show wide-complex ventricular
rhythm and tall, peaked T waves.
Q4.) A patient with an ischemic stroke arrives at the emergency department at 2
a.m. The patient's symptoms started about 12:30 a.m. After completing the necessary
assessments, the healthcare team diagnoses an ischemic stroke, and the patient is
determined to be a candidate for fibrinolytic therapy. To achieve the best outcomes, the
team should initiate therapy for this patient no later than by which time?
Select the correct answer to this question.
>>CORRECT ANS>> 1
3:00 a.m.
Q5.) A resuscitation team is debriefing following a recent event. A patient experienced
cardiac arrest, and advanced cardiac life support was initiated. The patient required the
placement of an advanced airway to maintain airway patency. Which statement indicates
that the team performed high-quality CPR?
Select the correct answer to this question.
>>CORRECT ANS>> 4
"We delivered 1 ventilation every 6 seconds and chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120
compressions per minute."
,Q6.) A patient with a suspected stroke arrives at the emergency department at 7:10
p.m. The stroke team ensures that a comprehensive neurologic assessment using the
National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is completed and that brain imaging is
performed by which time?
>>CORRECT ANS>>Within 20 minutes of the patient's arrival, a comprehensive neurologic
assessment should be completed and brain imaging should be performed. That would be 7:30
p.m. for this patient.
Q7.) The emergency department team is providing care to a patient who is experiencing
ventricular tachycardia. The patient's serum electrolyte levels are a contributing cause of the
patient's current condition. Which electrolyte imbalance(s) would most likely be involved?
Select all correct options that apply.
Hyperkalemia
Hypochloremia
Hypernatremia
Hypomagnesemia
Hypocalcemia
Hypocalcemia
Q8.) A 30-year-old patient has been brought to the emergency department in cardiac arrest.
The cardiac monitor shows the following rhythm. Interpretation of this rhythm would suggest
which of the following as a possible precipitating factor? >>CORRECT ANS>> The rhythm is
ventricular fibrillation. Precipitating causes of ventricular fibrillation include electrocution,
myocardial ischemia or infarction, shock, stimulant overdose and ventricular tachycardia.
electrocution
Q9.)A patient enters the emergency department in respiratory compromise. The team is
monitoring the patient using capnography and identifies that ETCO2 levels are initially 33
mmHg and later 40 mmHg. From these readings, the team identifies that the patient is
progressing in what stage of respiratory compromise?
Respiratory acidosis Respiratory failure Respiratory distress Respiratory arrest
>>CORRECT ANS>> 3
Capnography can objectively assess the severity of a patient's respiratory distress. Early on,
the patient will often hyperventilate, leading to hypocapnia that is reflected by a low ETCO2
value (less than 35 mmHg). As respiratory distress increases, and the patient begins to tire,
the ETCO2 value may return to the normal range (35 to 45 mmHg). However, if the patient
progresses to respiratory failure, the ETCO2 level will increase to greater than 45 mmHg,
which indicates hypoventilation.
Q10.)A patient comes to the emergency department complaining of palpitations and "some
shortness of breath." Cardiac monitoring is initiated and reveals the following ECG rhythm
strip. The provider interprets this strip as indicating which arrhythmia?
Atrial fibrillation Ventricular tachycardia Ventricular fibrillation Atrial flutter
>>CORRECT ANS>> Atrial flutter
Q11.) A patient is experiencing respiratory distress secondary to an exacerbation of chronic
, obstructive pulmonary disease. The patient begins to exhibit signs and symptoms of
worsening respiratory function and experiences respiratory arrest. The team intervenes,
delivering ventilations via BVM resuscitator. The team would deliver 1 ventilation at which
interval?
>>CORRECT ANS>> The team would deliver 1 ventilation every 5 to 6 seconds. Each
ventilation should last about 1 second and make the chest begin to rise.
Q12.) Assessment of a patient in the emergency department reveals that the patient is
experiencing respiratory compromise. From the assessment, the team identifies that the
patient is in the earliest stage of this condition. Which stage would this be? Select the correct
answer to this question.
>>CORRECT ANS>> Respiratory distress
Respiratory compromise occurs along a continuum, beginning with respiratory distress,
progressing to respiratory failure and then to respiratory arrest
Q13.) After cardiac arrest and successful resuscitation, the patient has a return of
spontaneous circulation. The patient is unable to follow verbal commands.
Targeted temperature management is initiated. Which method(s) would be appropriate for
the resuscitation team to use?
Giving an ice-cold IV fluid bolus
Applying cooling blankets to the patient's body Administering cool-mist oxygen therapy
Applying a cool compress to the patient's forehead Using an endovascular catheter
Applying cooling blankets to the patient's body Using an endovascular catheter
Q14.)A patient has experienced return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after cardiac arrest.
The healthcare team is conducting a secondary assessment to determine the possible cause
of the patient's cardiac arrest. The history reveals that before the arrest, the patient
exhibited jugular venous distension, cyanosis, apnea and hyperresonance on percussion. The
patient was also difficult to ventilate during the response. The team would most likely
suspect which condition as the cause?
Select the correct answer to this question.
Tension pneumothorax Cardiac tamponade Acidosis
Hypothermia
Prearrest signs of tension pneumothorax in the advanced stage include jugular venous
distension, cyanosis, apnea and hyperresonance on percussion. Difficulty ventilating the
patient may also be a sign of tension pneumothorax.
A 40-year-old patient in the waiting room of the primary care provider's office approaches a
staff member and says, "I'm having really severe, crushing chest pain that is moving to both
my arms." The patient is diaphoretic and dyspneic. Which action would be appropriate for
the staff member to take?
Activate the emergency medical services system. Take the patient to an exam room
immediately. Give the patient an aspirin.
Obtain a 12-lead ECG.
A patient with dyspnea and a change in mental status arrives at the emergency department.
The healthcare team completes the necessary assessments and begins to care for the patient,
including initiating cardiac monitoring and pulse oximetry; providing supplemental oxygen
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS| NEW VERSION.
VERSION 1
Q1.) A patient experiences cardiac arrest, and the resuscitation team initiates ventilations
using a bag-valve-mask (BVM) resuscitator. The development of which condition during the
provision of care would lead the team to suspect that improper BVM technique is being
used?
Select the correct answer to this question.
>>CORRECT ANS>> Pneumothorax
Q2.) A member of the resuscitation team is preparing to administer medications
intravenously to a patient in cardiac arrest. The team member follows each medication
administration with a bolus of fluid. How much would the team member give?
Select the correct answer to this question.
>>CORRECT ANS>> When administering medications during a cardiac arrest, all medications
administrated through the IV or intraosseous infusion route should be followed by a 10- to
20-mL fluid bolus.
Q3.) The resuscitation team suspects that hyperkalemia is the cause of cardiac arrest in a
patient brought to the emergency department. Which finding on a 12- lead ECG would
confirm this suspicion?
>>CORRECT ANS>> Wide-complex ventricular rhythm and tall, peaked T waves
In hyperkalemia the patient's 12-lead ECG rhythm strip will show wide-complex ventricular
rhythm and tall, peaked T waves.
Q4.) A patient with an ischemic stroke arrives at the emergency department at 2
a.m. The patient's symptoms started about 12:30 a.m. After completing the necessary
assessments, the healthcare team diagnoses an ischemic stroke, and the patient is
determined to be a candidate for fibrinolytic therapy. To achieve the best outcomes, the
team should initiate therapy for this patient no later than by which time?
Select the correct answer to this question.
>>CORRECT ANS>> 1
3:00 a.m.
Q5.) A resuscitation team is debriefing following a recent event. A patient experienced
cardiac arrest, and advanced cardiac life support was initiated. The patient required the
placement of an advanced airway to maintain airway patency. Which statement indicates
that the team performed high-quality CPR?
Select the correct answer to this question.
>>CORRECT ANS>> 4
"We delivered 1 ventilation every 6 seconds and chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120
compressions per minute."
,Q6.) A patient with a suspected stroke arrives at the emergency department at 7:10
p.m. The stroke team ensures that a comprehensive neurologic assessment using the
National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is completed and that brain imaging is
performed by which time?
>>CORRECT ANS>>Within 20 minutes of the patient's arrival, a comprehensive neurologic
assessment should be completed and brain imaging should be performed. That would be 7:30
p.m. for this patient.
Q7.) The emergency department team is providing care to a patient who is experiencing
ventricular tachycardia. The patient's serum electrolyte levels are a contributing cause of the
patient's current condition. Which electrolyte imbalance(s) would most likely be involved?
Select all correct options that apply.
Hyperkalemia
Hypochloremia
Hypernatremia
Hypomagnesemia
Hypocalcemia
Hypocalcemia
Q8.) A 30-year-old patient has been brought to the emergency department in cardiac arrest.
The cardiac monitor shows the following rhythm. Interpretation of this rhythm would suggest
which of the following as a possible precipitating factor? >>CORRECT ANS>> The rhythm is
ventricular fibrillation. Precipitating causes of ventricular fibrillation include electrocution,
myocardial ischemia or infarction, shock, stimulant overdose and ventricular tachycardia.
electrocution
Q9.)A patient enters the emergency department in respiratory compromise. The team is
monitoring the patient using capnography and identifies that ETCO2 levels are initially 33
mmHg and later 40 mmHg. From these readings, the team identifies that the patient is
progressing in what stage of respiratory compromise?
Respiratory acidosis Respiratory failure Respiratory distress Respiratory arrest
>>CORRECT ANS>> 3
Capnography can objectively assess the severity of a patient's respiratory distress. Early on,
the patient will often hyperventilate, leading to hypocapnia that is reflected by a low ETCO2
value (less than 35 mmHg). As respiratory distress increases, and the patient begins to tire,
the ETCO2 value may return to the normal range (35 to 45 mmHg). However, if the patient
progresses to respiratory failure, the ETCO2 level will increase to greater than 45 mmHg,
which indicates hypoventilation.
Q10.)A patient comes to the emergency department complaining of palpitations and "some
shortness of breath." Cardiac monitoring is initiated and reveals the following ECG rhythm
strip. The provider interprets this strip as indicating which arrhythmia?
Atrial fibrillation Ventricular tachycardia Ventricular fibrillation Atrial flutter
>>CORRECT ANS>> Atrial flutter
Q11.) A patient is experiencing respiratory distress secondary to an exacerbation of chronic
, obstructive pulmonary disease. The patient begins to exhibit signs and symptoms of
worsening respiratory function and experiences respiratory arrest. The team intervenes,
delivering ventilations via BVM resuscitator. The team would deliver 1 ventilation at which
interval?
>>CORRECT ANS>> The team would deliver 1 ventilation every 5 to 6 seconds. Each
ventilation should last about 1 second and make the chest begin to rise.
Q12.) Assessment of a patient in the emergency department reveals that the patient is
experiencing respiratory compromise. From the assessment, the team identifies that the
patient is in the earliest stage of this condition. Which stage would this be? Select the correct
answer to this question.
>>CORRECT ANS>> Respiratory distress
Respiratory compromise occurs along a continuum, beginning with respiratory distress,
progressing to respiratory failure and then to respiratory arrest
Q13.) After cardiac arrest and successful resuscitation, the patient has a return of
spontaneous circulation. The patient is unable to follow verbal commands.
Targeted temperature management is initiated. Which method(s) would be appropriate for
the resuscitation team to use?
Giving an ice-cold IV fluid bolus
Applying cooling blankets to the patient's body Administering cool-mist oxygen therapy
Applying a cool compress to the patient's forehead Using an endovascular catheter
Applying cooling blankets to the patient's body Using an endovascular catheter
Q14.)A patient has experienced return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after cardiac arrest.
The healthcare team is conducting a secondary assessment to determine the possible cause
of the patient's cardiac arrest. The history reveals that before the arrest, the patient
exhibited jugular venous distension, cyanosis, apnea and hyperresonance on percussion. The
patient was also difficult to ventilate during the response. The team would most likely
suspect which condition as the cause?
Select the correct answer to this question.
Tension pneumothorax Cardiac tamponade Acidosis
Hypothermia
Prearrest signs of tension pneumothorax in the advanced stage include jugular venous
distension, cyanosis, apnea and hyperresonance on percussion. Difficulty ventilating the
patient may also be a sign of tension pneumothorax.
A 40-year-old patient in the waiting room of the primary care provider's office approaches a
staff member and says, "I'm having really severe, crushing chest pain that is moving to both
my arms." The patient is diaphoretic and dyspneic. Which action would be appropriate for
the staff member to take?
Activate the emergency medical services system. Take the patient to an exam room
immediately. Give the patient an aspirin.
Obtain a 12-lead ECG.
A patient with dyspnea and a change in mental status arrives at the emergency department.
The healthcare team completes the necessary assessments and begins to care for the patient,
including initiating cardiac monitoring and pulse oximetry; providing supplemental oxygen
