ACLS Test C Exam Prep 2026/2027 | Questions & Correct
Answers | Graded A+
1. In a scenario where the CPR coach notices a decline in the quality of chest
compressions, what action should they take?
Focus on documenting the compressions instead.
Encourage the team to keep going without interruptions.
Wait until the resuscitation is over to discuss the issue.
Provide immediate feedback to the team to correct the technique.
2. Describe the significance of agonal gasps in the context of cardiac arrest
assessment.
Agonal gasps are a sign of inadequate breathing and may indicate
that the patient is in cardiac arrest.
Agonal gasps indicate a strong pulse is present.
Agonal gasps are normal breathing patterns in unconscious patients.
Agonal gasps are a sign of recovery from cardiac arrest.
3. What is an advantage of EMS alerting the receiving facility of the impending
arrival of a patient with suspected acute ischemic stroke?
The hospital can perform more efficient evaluation and
management
The emergency department can quickly determine glucose levels
The hospital can determine the most appropriate patient destination
The hospital can have fibrinolytic drugs already prepared
,4. What is the recommended next dose of adenosine for a patient in stable
narrow complex tachycardia who is refractory to the first dose?
12 mg
40 mg
20 mg
3 mg
5. What is the first action to take in a patient with unstable tachycardia who has
not gone into ventricular fibrillation?
Given atropine 1mg
Obtained a 12-lead ECG
Performed synchronized cardioversion
Established IV access
6. After a cardiac arrest, a patient's circulation returned, but the patient has not
regained consciousness. BP 92/50 (64). HR 102, RR 12, ECG reveals non-
STEMI. What intervention should the nurse anticipate?
Insertion of IABP
Targeted Temperature Management (TTM)
Emergent PCI
Initiation of IV vasopressor
,7. A 76-year-old woman plans to go out to eat with her family. She gets out of
the car and the next thing she remembers is looking up at the sky lying on the
pavement. Her family takes her to her doctor's office. Her ECG shows a
ventricular rate in the 30's. She is diagnosed with a third degree heart block.
Which of the following is the best description of a third degree heart block?
There is a delay between atrial and ventricular depolarization and the
delay increases with each beat until for one beat there is no
conduction between the atria and ventricles. The cycle starts over
again.
The PR interval is longer than normal
Atrial activity is independent of ventricular activity
Every once in a while there is no conduction between the atria and the
ventricles
8. Describe how monitoring PETCO2 can indicate the effectiveness of CPR in an
intubated patient.
Monitoring PETCO2 provides feedback on the adequacy of chest
compressions and the patient's ventilation status.
Monitoring PETCO2 helps in diagnosing cardiac arrhythmias.
Monitoring PETCO2 indicates the need for defibrillation.
Monitoring PETCO2 is used to assess the patient's neurological
function.
9. In a scenario where a rescuer is performing BLS and is unsure of the pulse
check results, what should they do next according to ACLS protocols?
Administer medications before checking the pulse again.
Wait for the patient to regain consciousness.
Perform a longer pulse check to confirm the pulse.
, Continue chest compressions immediately and call for help.
10. Despite 2 defibrillation attempts, the patient remains in ventricular fibrillation.
Which drug and dose should you administer first to this patient?
Epinephrine 1 mg
Amiodarone 300 mg
Lidocaine 1 mg/kg
Atropine 1 mg
11. What is the heart rate indicative of unstable supraventricular tachycardia in
the provided scenario?
80/min
150/min
190/min
120/min
12. In a scenario where a patient remains in asystole after 2 minutes of CPR, what
would be the most appropriate next step in management?
Administer epinephrine 1 milligram IV
Give atropine 0.5 milligrams
Start a dopamine infusion
Insert an advanced airway
13. What does a PetCO2 level of 8mmHg indicate during a cardiac arrest
resuscitation attempt?
Proper endotracheal tube placement
Answers | Graded A+
1. In a scenario where the CPR coach notices a decline in the quality of chest
compressions, what action should they take?
Focus on documenting the compressions instead.
Encourage the team to keep going without interruptions.
Wait until the resuscitation is over to discuss the issue.
Provide immediate feedback to the team to correct the technique.
2. Describe the significance of agonal gasps in the context of cardiac arrest
assessment.
Agonal gasps are a sign of inadequate breathing and may indicate
that the patient is in cardiac arrest.
Agonal gasps indicate a strong pulse is present.
Agonal gasps are normal breathing patterns in unconscious patients.
Agonal gasps are a sign of recovery from cardiac arrest.
3. What is an advantage of EMS alerting the receiving facility of the impending
arrival of a patient with suspected acute ischemic stroke?
The hospital can perform more efficient evaluation and
management
The emergency department can quickly determine glucose levels
The hospital can determine the most appropriate patient destination
The hospital can have fibrinolytic drugs already prepared
,4. What is the recommended next dose of adenosine for a patient in stable
narrow complex tachycardia who is refractory to the first dose?
12 mg
40 mg
20 mg
3 mg
5. What is the first action to take in a patient with unstable tachycardia who has
not gone into ventricular fibrillation?
Given atropine 1mg
Obtained a 12-lead ECG
Performed synchronized cardioversion
Established IV access
6. After a cardiac arrest, a patient's circulation returned, but the patient has not
regained consciousness. BP 92/50 (64). HR 102, RR 12, ECG reveals non-
STEMI. What intervention should the nurse anticipate?
Insertion of IABP
Targeted Temperature Management (TTM)
Emergent PCI
Initiation of IV vasopressor
,7. A 76-year-old woman plans to go out to eat with her family. She gets out of
the car and the next thing she remembers is looking up at the sky lying on the
pavement. Her family takes her to her doctor's office. Her ECG shows a
ventricular rate in the 30's. She is diagnosed with a third degree heart block.
Which of the following is the best description of a third degree heart block?
There is a delay between atrial and ventricular depolarization and the
delay increases with each beat until for one beat there is no
conduction between the atria and ventricles. The cycle starts over
again.
The PR interval is longer than normal
Atrial activity is independent of ventricular activity
Every once in a while there is no conduction between the atria and the
ventricles
8. Describe how monitoring PETCO2 can indicate the effectiveness of CPR in an
intubated patient.
Monitoring PETCO2 provides feedback on the adequacy of chest
compressions and the patient's ventilation status.
Monitoring PETCO2 helps in diagnosing cardiac arrhythmias.
Monitoring PETCO2 indicates the need for defibrillation.
Monitoring PETCO2 is used to assess the patient's neurological
function.
9. In a scenario where a rescuer is performing BLS and is unsure of the pulse
check results, what should they do next according to ACLS protocols?
Administer medications before checking the pulse again.
Wait for the patient to regain consciousness.
Perform a longer pulse check to confirm the pulse.
, Continue chest compressions immediately and call for help.
10. Despite 2 defibrillation attempts, the patient remains in ventricular fibrillation.
Which drug and dose should you administer first to this patient?
Epinephrine 1 mg
Amiodarone 300 mg
Lidocaine 1 mg/kg
Atropine 1 mg
11. What is the heart rate indicative of unstable supraventricular tachycardia in
the provided scenario?
80/min
150/min
190/min
120/min
12. In a scenario where a patient remains in asystole after 2 minutes of CPR, what
would be the most appropriate next step in management?
Administer epinephrine 1 milligram IV
Give atropine 0.5 milligrams
Start a dopamine infusion
Insert an advanced airway
13. What does a PetCO2 level of 8mmHg indicate during a cardiac arrest
resuscitation attempt?
Proper endotracheal tube placement
