ACLS Final Exam Comprehensive
Test Guide Latest 100% Correct
answers provided
Course
ACLS
1. A patient is found unresponsive, pulseless, and in ventricular fibrillation (VF). What is the
first priority after initiating high-quality CPR?
A. Administer epinephrine
B. Insert an advanced airway
C. Deliver immediate defibrillation ✅
D. Administer amiodarone
Answer: C. Deliver immediate defibrillation
Rationale: VF is a shockable rhythm. Early defibrillation combined with high-quality CPR offers
the best chance of restoring spontaneous circulation.
2. High-quality CPR in adults requires a compression depth of:
A. At least 1 inch
B. At least 1.5 inches
C. At least 2 inches (5 cm), but not more than 2.4 inches (6 cm) ✅
D. More than 3 inches
Answer: C
Rationale: Effective compressions improve coronary and cerebral perfusion while minimizing
injury.
3. Recommended chest compression rate is:
A. 60–80/min
B. 80–90/min
,C. 100–120/min ✅
D. Over 140/min
Answer: C
Rationale: Compression rates between 100 and 120 per minute maximize perfusion.
4. Which rhythm is NOT shockable?
A. Ventricular fibrillation
B. Pulseless ventricular tachycardia
C. Asystole ✅
D. Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia
Answer: C
Rationale: Asystole is treated with CPR and epinephrine, not defibrillation.
5. The first medication administered during pulseless arrest is generally:
A. Atropine
B. Epinephrine ✅
C. Lidocaine
D. Dopamine
Answer: B
Rationale: Epinephrine is administered every 3–5 minutes during cardiac arrest.
6. Epinephrine should be repeated every:
A. 1 minute
B. 2 minutes
C. 3–5 minutes ✅
D. 10 minutes
,Answer: C
Rationale: Repeated dosing supports coronary and cerebral perfusion during resuscitation.
7. Recommended energy for an initial biphasic defibrillation shock is:
A. 50 J
B. 100 J
C. Manufacturer-recommended dose (commonly 120–200 J) ✅
D. 360 J only
Answer: C
Rationale: Follow the manufacturer's recommendations; if unknown, use the maximum
available recommended dose.
8. Which medication is commonly given for refractory VF/pulseless VT after defibrillation?
A. Adenosine
B. Amiodarone ✅
C. Atropine
D. Magnesium only
Answer: B
Rationale: Amiodarone is recommended for shock-refractory VF/pulseless VT.
9. The recommended initial dose of amiodarone during cardiac arrest is:
A. 100 mg
B. 150 mg
C. 300 mg IV/IO bolus ✅
D. 450 mg
Answer: C
, Rationale: A second dose of 150 mg may be given if needed.
10. Which rhythm requires synchronized cardioversion?
A. Asystole
B. Ventricular fibrillation
C. Unstable supraventricular tachycardia with a pulse ✅
D. Pulseless electrical activity
Answer: C
Rationale: Cardioversion synchronizes the shock with the R wave to avoid inducing VF.
11. What is the first-line treatment for symptomatic bradycardia?
A. Epinephrine infusion
B. Atropine ✅
C. Defibrillation
D. Amiodarone
Answer: B
Rationale: Atropine is the initial medication unless high-degree AV block makes pacing more
appropriate.
12. Adult atropine dose for symptomatic bradycardia is:
A. 0.25 mg
B. 1 mg IV ✅
C. 5 mg
D. 10 mg
Answer: B
Rationale: The dose may be repeated every 3–5 minutes up to a total of 3 mg.
Test Guide Latest 100% Correct
answers provided
Course
ACLS
1. A patient is found unresponsive, pulseless, and in ventricular fibrillation (VF). What is the
first priority after initiating high-quality CPR?
A. Administer epinephrine
B. Insert an advanced airway
C. Deliver immediate defibrillation ✅
D. Administer amiodarone
Answer: C. Deliver immediate defibrillation
Rationale: VF is a shockable rhythm. Early defibrillation combined with high-quality CPR offers
the best chance of restoring spontaneous circulation.
2. High-quality CPR in adults requires a compression depth of:
A. At least 1 inch
B. At least 1.5 inches
C. At least 2 inches (5 cm), but not more than 2.4 inches (6 cm) ✅
D. More than 3 inches
Answer: C
Rationale: Effective compressions improve coronary and cerebral perfusion while minimizing
injury.
3. Recommended chest compression rate is:
A. 60–80/min
B. 80–90/min
,C. 100–120/min ✅
D. Over 140/min
Answer: C
Rationale: Compression rates between 100 and 120 per minute maximize perfusion.
4. Which rhythm is NOT shockable?
A. Ventricular fibrillation
B. Pulseless ventricular tachycardia
C. Asystole ✅
D. Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia
Answer: C
Rationale: Asystole is treated with CPR and epinephrine, not defibrillation.
5. The first medication administered during pulseless arrest is generally:
A. Atropine
B. Epinephrine ✅
C. Lidocaine
D. Dopamine
Answer: B
Rationale: Epinephrine is administered every 3–5 minutes during cardiac arrest.
6. Epinephrine should be repeated every:
A. 1 minute
B. 2 minutes
C. 3–5 minutes ✅
D. 10 minutes
,Answer: C
Rationale: Repeated dosing supports coronary and cerebral perfusion during resuscitation.
7. Recommended energy for an initial biphasic defibrillation shock is:
A. 50 J
B. 100 J
C. Manufacturer-recommended dose (commonly 120–200 J) ✅
D. 360 J only
Answer: C
Rationale: Follow the manufacturer's recommendations; if unknown, use the maximum
available recommended dose.
8. Which medication is commonly given for refractory VF/pulseless VT after defibrillation?
A. Adenosine
B. Amiodarone ✅
C. Atropine
D. Magnesium only
Answer: B
Rationale: Amiodarone is recommended for shock-refractory VF/pulseless VT.
9. The recommended initial dose of amiodarone during cardiac arrest is:
A. 100 mg
B. 150 mg
C. 300 mg IV/IO bolus ✅
D. 450 mg
Answer: C
, Rationale: A second dose of 150 mg may be given if needed.
10. Which rhythm requires synchronized cardioversion?
A. Asystole
B. Ventricular fibrillation
C. Unstable supraventricular tachycardia with a pulse ✅
D. Pulseless electrical activity
Answer: C
Rationale: Cardioversion synchronizes the shock with the R wave to avoid inducing VF.
11. What is the first-line treatment for symptomatic bradycardia?
A. Epinephrine infusion
B. Atropine ✅
C. Defibrillation
D. Amiodarone
Answer: B
Rationale: Atropine is the initial medication unless high-degree AV block makes pacing more
appropriate.
12. Adult atropine dose for symptomatic bradycardia is:
A. 0.25 mg
B. 1 mg IV ✅
C. 5 mg
D. 10 mg
Answer: B
Rationale: The dose may be repeated every 3–5 minutes up to a total of 3 mg.
