ACLS Advanced Cardiovascular Life
Support | American Heart
50 QUESTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
# TOPIC
1 BLS & High-Quality CPR
2 Rhythm Recognition
3 Cardiac Arrest Algorithm
4 Bradycardia Algorithm
5 Tachycardia Algorithm
6 ACS & Stroke
7 Post–Cardiac Arrest Care
8 Airway Management
9 Reversible Causes
10 Team Dynamics
Page 1
,Q1
A client is unresponsive, apneic, and pulseless. The monitor shows a chaotic, irregular
waveform with no identifiable QRS complexes. Which rhythm is this?
A) Pulseless electrical activity
B) Asystole
C) Pulseless ventricular tachycardia
D) *Ventricular fibrillation CORRECT
Rationale
VF is a chaotic, disorganized waveform with no recognizable complexes; it is a shockable
rhythm.
Q2
During adult CPR, what is the recommended compression depth?
A) At least 1 inch
B) *At least 2 inches but no more than 2.4 inches CORRECT
C) At least 3 inches
D) 1.5 inches regardless of body size
Rationale
AHA recommends 5–6 cm (2–2.4 inches) to generate adequate cardiac output without causing
injury.
Q3
A client collapses in the hallway and is unresponsive with no pulse. An AED arrives.
What is the first action after powering on the device?
A) *Attach the pads to the client's bare chest and follow the prompts CORRECT
B) Deliver a shock immediately
C) Check the carotid pulse for 30 seconds
Page 2
, D) Give two rescue breaths before attaching pads
Rationale
The AED must analyze the rhythm before advising a shock; pads are applied first.
Q4
A client in cardiac arrest remains in VF after the second shock. Which medication should
be administered next?
A) Amiodarone 300 mg IV push
B) Atropine 1 mg IV push
C) *Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO CORRECT
D) Adenosine 6 mg IV push
Rationale
Epinephrine 1 mg is given after the second shock and repeated every 3–5 minutes.
Q5
After the third shock in refractory VF, which antiarrhythmic does AHA recommend as
first-line?
A) Lidocaine 1–1.5 mg/kg
B) *Amiodarone 300 mg IV push CORRECT
C) Magnesium sulfate 2 g
D) Procainamide 20 mg/min
Rationale
Amiodarone 300 mg is first-line for VF/pVT unresponsive to CPR, shock, and epinephrine.
Page 3
Support | American Heart
50 QUESTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
# TOPIC
1 BLS & High-Quality CPR
2 Rhythm Recognition
3 Cardiac Arrest Algorithm
4 Bradycardia Algorithm
5 Tachycardia Algorithm
6 ACS & Stroke
7 Post–Cardiac Arrest Care
8 Airway Management
9 Reversible Causes
10 Team Dynamics
Page 1
,Q1
A client is unresponsive, apneic, and pulseless. The monitor shows a chaotic, irregular
waveform with no identifiable QRS complexes. Which rhythm is this?
A) Pulseless electrical activity
B) Asystole
C) Pulseless ventricular tachycardia
D) *Ventricular fibrillation CORRECT
Rationale
VF is a chaotic, disorganized waveform with no recognizable complexes; it is a shockable
rhythm.
Q2
During adult CPR, what is the recommended compression depth?
A) At least 1 inch
B) *At least 2 inches but no more than 2.4 inches CORRECT
C) At least 3 inches
D) 1.5 inches regardless of body size
Rationale
AHA recommends 5–6 cm (2–2.4 inches) to generate adequate cardiac output without causing
injury.
Q3
A client collapses in the hallway and is unresponsive with no pulse. An AED arrives.
What is the first action after powering on the device?
A) *Attach the pads to the client's bare chest and follow the prompts CORRECT
B) Deliver a shock immediately
C) Check the carotid pulse for 30 seconds
Page 2
, D) Give two rescue breaths before attaching pads
Rationale
The AED must analyze the rhythm before advising a shock; pads are applied first.
Q4
A client in cardiac arrest remains in VF after the second shock. Which medication should
be administered next?
A) Amiodarone 300 mg IV push
B) Atropine 1 mg IV push
C) *Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO CORRECT
D) Adenosine 6 mg IV push
Rationale
Epinephrine 1 mg is given after the second shock and repeated every 3–5 minutes.
Q5
After the third shock in refractory VF, which antiarrhythmic does AHA recommend as
first-line?
A) Lidocaine 1–1.5 mg/kg
B) *Amiodarone 300 mg IV push CORRECT
C) Magnesium sulfate 2 g
D) Procainamide 20 mg/min
Rationale
Amiodarone 300 mg is first-line for VF/pVT unresponsive to CPR, shock, and epinephrine.
Page 3
