Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
(ACLS) Practice Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026|2027 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A 65-year-old man presents with chest pain and shortness of breath.
His ECG shows ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF. What is
the most likely diagnosis?
A. Anterior MI
B. Inferior MI
C. Lateral MI
D. Posterior MI
Rationale: ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF indicates an inferior
myocardial infarction, usually supplied by the right coronary artery.
, 2. During CPR, what is the recommended compression rate for an adult?
A. 80–100/min
B. 100–120/min
C. 120–140/min
D. 140–160/min
Rationale: Current ACLS guidelines recommend a compression rate of 120–
140 per minute for optimal perfusion.
3. A patient in ventricular fibrillation should receive:
A. Defibrillation
B. Synchronized cardioversion
C. Atropine
D. Adenosine
Rationale: Ventricular fibrillation is a shockable rhythm and requires
immediate defibrillation.
4. What is the first-line drug for a patient with symptomatic bradycardia?
A. Epinephrine
B. Atropine
C. Dopamine
D. Adenosine
Rationale: Atropine is the first-line agent for symptomatic bradycardia to
increase heart rate.
, 5. During ACLS, after a failed defibrillation for VF/pulseless VT, the
recommended dose of epinephrine is:
A. 0.1 mg IV
B. 0.5 mg IV
C. 1 mg IV every 3–5 minutes
D. 2 mg IV every 10 minutes
Rationale: Epinephrine 1 mg IV every 3–5 minutes is recommended for
persistent VF/pulseless VT after defibrillation.
6. Which of the following rhythms is considered non-shockable?
A. Ventricular fibrillation
B. Pulseless ventricular tachycardia
C. Asystole
D. Polymorphic VT
Rationale: Asystole and pulseless electrical activity (PEA) are non-shockable
rhythms.
7. A 55-year-old patient collapses and is found pulseless. The first step is:
A. Start chest compressions
B. Check responsiveness and call for help/activate EMS
C. Give epinephrine
D. Provide oxygen
Rationale: The initial step in any unresponsive patient is to check
responsiveness and activate the emergency response system.
, 8. What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for a
single rescuer in adult CPR?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
C. 15:1
D. 30:1
Rationale: For adult CPR, a single rescuer uses a 30:2 compression-to-
ventilation ratio.
9. Which medication is indicated for torsades de pointes?
A. Amiodarone
B. Lidocaine
C. Magnesium sulfate
D. Epinephrine
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is the first-line treatment for torsades de
pointes, a polymorphic VT associated with prolonged QT.
10. During CPR, what is the recommended depth of chest
compressions for adults?
A. 2–3 cm
B. 5–6 cm
C. 6–7 cm
D. 4–5 cm
(ACLS) Practice Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026|2027 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A 65-year-old man presents with chest pain and shortness of breath.
His ECG shows ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF. What is
the most likely diagnosis?
A. Anterior MI
B. Inferior MI
C. Lateral MI
D. Posterior MI
Rationale: ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF indicates an inferior
myocardial infarction, usually supplied by the right coronary artery.
, 2. During CPR, what is the recommended compression rate for an adult?
A. 80–100/min
B. 100–120/min
C. 120–140/min
D. 140–160/min
Rationale: Current ACLS guidelines recommend a compression rate of 120–
140 per minute for optimal perfusion.
3. A patient in ventricular fibrillation should receive:
A. Defibrillation
B. Synchronized cardioversion
C. Atropine
D. Adenosine
Rationale: Ventricular fibrillation is a shockable rhythm and requires
immediate defibrillation.
4. What is the first-line drug for a patient with symptomatic bradycardia?
A. Epinephrine
B. Atropine
C. Dopamine
D. Adenosine
Rationale: Atropine is the first-line agent for symptomatic bradycardia to
increase heart rate.
, 5. During ACLS, after a failed defibrillation for VF/pulseless VT, the
recommended dose of epinephrine is:
A. 0.1 mg IV
B. 0.5 mg IV
C. 1 mg IV every 3–5 minutes
D. 2 mg IV every 10 minutes
Rationale: Epinephrine 1 mg IV every 3–5 minutes is recommended for
persistent VF/pulseless VT after defibrillation.
6. Which of the following rhythms is considered non-shockable?
A. Ventricular fibrillation
B. Pulseless ventricular tachycardia
C. Asystole
D. Polymorphic VT
Rationale: Asystole and pulseless electrical activity (PEA) are non-shockable
rhythms.
7. A 55-year-old patient collapses and is found pulseless. The first step is:
A. Start chest compressions
B. Check responsiveness and call for help/activate EMS
C. Give epinephrine
D. Provide oxygen
Rationale: The initial step in any unresponsive patient is to check
responsiveness and activate the emergency response system.
, 8. What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for a
single rescuer in adult CPR?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
C. 15:1
D. 30:1
Rationale: For adult CPR, a single rescuer uses a 30:2 compression-to-
ventilation ratio.
9. Which medication is indicated for torsades de pointes?
A. Amiodarone
B. Lidocaine
C. Magnesium sulfate
D. Epinephrine
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is the first-line treatment for torsades de
pointes, a polymorphic VT associated with prolonged QT.
10. During CPR, what is the recommended depth of chest
compressions for adults?
A. 2–3 cm
B. 5–6 cm
C. 6–7 cm
D. 4–5 cm
