ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT NURSING
ACTUAL UPDATED QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
1. What is the first priority when responding to an unresponsive adult?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅
The first priority is to assess responsiveness and check for breathing and pulse to determine if
cardiac arrest is present. This allows the nurse to quickly establish whether immediate CPR is
required. Early recognition is crucial because every minute without CPR decreases survival
significantly. The nurse should tap the patient and call out loudly to check for response. If
absent, emergency activation (calling for help and AED) should follow immediately. This
rapid assessment supports the ALS chain of survival and prevents delays. Early intervention
improves neurological outcomes and increases the chance of successful resuscitation.
2. What is the recommended chest compression depth for adults during ALS?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅
Chest compressions should be delivered at a depth of 5–6 cm to ensure effective circulation
during cardiac arrest. Adequate depth promotes perfusion to vital organs such as the brain
and heart. Nurses must avoid compressions deeper than 6 cm to reduce the risk of rib
fractures or internal injury. Quality compressions are essential for maintaining cardiac output
in a pulseless state. Continuous monitoring of compression technique is required to avoid
fatigue. Regular switching of compressors every 2 minutes maintains consistent quality.
Effective compressions significantly increase survival rates.
3. How soon should defibrillation occur in shockable rhythms?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅
Defibrillation should be performed as soon as possible, ideally within the first 2 minutes of
cardiac arrest. Early defibrillation is strongly associated with improved return of spontaneous
circulation (ROSC). Shockable rhythms include ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless
ventricular tachycardia (VT). Delays in shock delivery decrease the probability of survival by
7–10% per minute. The nurse should prepare the AED/defibrillator promptly and ensure
safety before shocking. Immediate resumption of CPR after shock maximizes perfusion. Fast
defibrillation interrupts fatal arrhythmias effectively.
, 4. What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for a lone rescuer in adults?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅
The correct ratio is 30 compressions to 2 ventilations. This ratio ensures adequate circulation
while still providing essential oxygenation. For ALS nurses, maintaining the correct sequence
prevents interruptions in compressions. If an advanced airway is placed, ventilations become
continuous at 1 breath every 6 seconds. Consistency in technique improves patient outcomes.
Proper ventilation also prevents hypoxia-induced organ damage. Effective team
communication ensures smooth execution of resuscitation steps.
5. When is epinephrine first administered in cardiac arrest?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅
Epinephrine is given after the second shock in shockable rhythms, and immediately in non-
shockable rhythms. Epinephrine increases coronary and cerebral perfusion by stimulating
alpha-adrenergic receptors. Early administration is vital for improving the chances of ROSC
in non-shockable rhythms such as PEA or asystole. In shockable rhythms, it is delayed until
CPR and initial defibrillation attempts are done. Nurses must ensure proper IV or IO access
before administration. Accurate dosing (1 mg every 3–5 minutes) prevents complications.
Proper timing optimizes drug effectiveness in resuscitation.
6. Why is high-quality CPR important in ALS?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅
High-quality CPR maintains circulation to essential organs during cardiac arrest. Adequate
compression depth and rate improve perfusion pressure. Minimizing interruptions ensures
consistent cardiac output. Nurses must switch compressors to avoid fatigue-related
deterioration. Effective teamwork enhances CPR performance. Monitoring devices
(capnography or feedback tools) help assess CPR quality. High-quality CPR increases
survival and neurological outcomes significantly.
7. What is the purpose of advanced airway placement in ALS?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅
ACTUAL UPDATED QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
1. What is the first priority when responding to an unresponsive adult?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅
The first priority is to assess responsiveness and check for breathing and pulse to determine if
cardiac arrest is present. This allows the nurse to quickly establish whether immediate CPR is
required. Early recognition is crucial because every minute without CPR decreases survival
significantly. The nurse should tap the patient and call out loudly to check for response. If
absent, emergency activation (calling for help and AED) should follow immediately. This
rapid assessment supports the ALS chain of survival and prevents delays. Early intervention
improves neurological outcomes and increases the chance of successful resuscitation.
2. What is the recommended chest compression depth for adults during ALS?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅
Chest compressions should be delivered at a depth of 5–6 cm to ensure effective circulation
during cardiac arrest. Adequate depth promotes perfusion to vital organs such as the brain
and heart. Nurses must avoid compressions deeper than 6 cm to reduce the risk of rib
fractures or internal injury. Quality compressions are essential for maintaining cardiac output
in a pulseless state. Continuous monitoring of compression technique is required to avoid
fatigue. Regular switching of compressors every 2 minutes maintains consistent quality.
Effective compressions significantly increase survival rates.
3. How soon should defibrillation occur in shockable rhythms?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅
Defibrillation should be performed as soon as possible, ideally within the first 2 minutes of
cardiac arrest. Early defibrillation is strongly associated with improved return of spontaneous
circulation (ROSC). Shockable rhythms include ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless
ventricular tachycardia (VT). Delays in shock delivery decrease the probability of survival by
7–10% per minute. The nurse should prepare the AED/defibrillator promptly and ensure
safety before shocking. Immediate resumption of CPR after shock maximizes perfusion. Fast
defibrillation interrupts fatal arrhythmias effectively.
, 4. What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for a lone rescuer in adults?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅
The correct ratio is 30 compressions to 2 ventilations. This ratio ensures adequate circulation
while still providing essential oxygenation. For ALS nurses, maintaining the correct sequence
prevents interruptions in compressions. If an advanced airway is placed, ventilations become
continuous at 1 breath every 6 seconds. Consistency in technique improves patient outcomes.
Proper ventilation also prevents hypoxia-induced organ damage. Effective team
communication ensures smooth execution of resuscitation steps.
5. When is epinephrine first administered in cardiac arrest?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅
Epinephrine is given after the second shock in shockable rhythms, and immediately in non-
shockable rhythms. Epinephrine increases coronary and cerebral perfusion by stimulating
alpha-adrenergic receptors. Early administration is vital for improving the chances of ROSC
in non-shockable rhythms such as PEA or asystole. In shockable rhythms, it is delayed until
CPR and initial defibrillation attempts are done. Nurses must ensure proper IV or IO access
before administration. Accurate dosing (1 mg every 3–5 minutes) prevents complications.
Proper timing optimizes drug effectiveness in resuscitation.
6. Why is high-quality CPR important in ALS?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅
High-quality CPR maintains circulation to essential organs during cardiac arrest. Adequate
compression depth and rate improve perfusion pressure. Minimizing interruptions ensures
consistent cardiac output. Nurses must switch compressors to avoid fatigue-related
deterioration. Effective teamwork enhances CPR performance. Monitoring devices
(capnography or feedback tools) help assess CPR quality. High-quality CPR increases
survival and neurological outcomes significantly.
7. What is the purpose of advanced airway placement in ALS?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅
