ACLS EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
1. Which compression rate is recommended for adult CPR?
A. 60–80/min
B. 80–100/min
C. 100–120/min ✅
D. 120–140/min
Why: 100–120 compressions per minute balances adequate perfusion
without excessive rate.
2. Recommended depth for adult chest compressions?
A. 1–2 cm
B. 2–2.4 cm
C. 5–6 cm (about 2–2.4 in) ✅
D. 7–8 cm
Why: About 5–6 cm produces effective compression of the heart
between sternum and spine.
3. First action for an unresponsive adult found collapsed and not
breathing normally?
A. Start IV line
B. Activate emergency response and begin CPR ✅
,ACLS EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
C. Give aspirin
D. Obtain ECG
Why: Immediate recognition and CPR + calling for help saves lives.
4. For a witnessed sudden collapse with a defibrillator available, what’s
next?
A. Start CPR for 2 minutes then shock
B. Attach monitor/defibrillator and assess rhythm immediately
✅
C. Give epinephrine first
D. Intubate
Why: Early rhythm analysis and shock if shockable shortens time to
defibrillation.
5. Shockable rhythms include:
A. Asystole and PEA
B. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular
tachycardia (pVT) ✅
C. Sinus bradycardia
,ACLS EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
D. Atrial fibrillation with pulse
Why: VF and pVT respond to defibrillation.
6. After delivering a shock for VF/pVT, what do you do immediately?
A. Check pulse for 30 seconds
B. Give amiodarone
C. Resume CPR immediately for 2 minutes ✅
D. Intubate
Why: Minimize pauses — resume compressions to maintain perfusion.
7. When a shockable rhythm persists after defibrillation attempts, which
drug is recommended early?
A. Amiodarone only
B. Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO every 3–5 min ✅
C. Lidocaine only
D. Atropine
Why: Epinephrine is recommended for all cardiac arrests to support
perfusion; give as early as appropriate.
8. Dose of epinephrine for adult cardiac arrest?
A. 0.1 mg
, ACLS EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
B. 1 mg IV/IO every 3–5 minutes ✅
C. 5 mg
D. 10 mg
Why: Standard ACLS epinephrine dosing is 1 mg at intervals during
arrest.
9. When is amiodarone used during cardiac arrest?
A. As initial drug for asystole
B. For refractory VF/pVT after defibrillation ✅
C. To treat bradycardia first-line
D. For PEA exclusively
Why: Amiodarone can improve conversion after multiple shocks.
10. Best indicator that chest compressions are effective when an
advanced airway is in place?
A. Heart rate increase
B. End-tidal CO₂ (capnography) values consistent with good
perfusion ✅
C. Pulse oximetry value
1. Which compression rate is recommended for adult CPR?
A. 60–80/min
B. 80–100/min
C. 100–120/min ✅
D. 120–140/min
Why: 100–120 compressions per minute balances adequate perfusion
without excessive rate.
2. Recommended depth for adult chest compressions?
A. 1–2 cm
B. 2–2.4 cm
C. 5–6 cm (about 2–2.4 in) ✅
D. 7–8 cm
Why: About 5–6 cm produces effective compression of the heart
between sternum and spine.
3. First action for an unresponsive adult found collapsed and not
breathing normally?
A. Start IV line
B. Activate emergency response and begin CPR ✅
,ACLS EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
C. Give aspirin
D. Obtain ECG
Why: Immediate recognition and CPR + calling for help saves lives.
4. For a witnessed sudden collapse with a defibrillator available, what’s
next?
A. Start CPR for 2 minutes then shock
B. Attach monitor/defibrillator and assess rhythm immediately
✅
C. Give epinephrine first
D. Intubate
Why: Early rhythm analysis and shock if shockable shortens time to
defibrillation.
5. Shockable rhythms include:
A. Asystole and PEA
B. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular
tachycardia (pVT) ✅
C. Sinus bradycardia
,ACLS EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
D. Atrial fibrillation with pulse
Why: VF and pVT respond to defibrillation.
6. After delivering a shock for VF/pVT, what do you do immediately?
A. Check pulse for 30 seconds
B. Give amiodarone
C. Resume CPR immediately for 2 minutes ✅
D. Intubate
Why: Minimize pauses — resume compressions to maintain perfusion.
7. When a shockable rhythm persists after defibrillation attempts, which
drug is recommended early?
A. Amiodarone only
B. Epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO every 3–5 min ✅
C. Lidocaine only
D. Atropine
Why: Epinephrine is recommended for all cardiac arrests to support
perfusion; give as early as appropriate.
8. Dose of epinephrine for adult cardiac arrest?
A. 0.1 mg
, ACLS EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
B. 1 mg IV/IO every 3–5 minutes ✅
C. 5 mg
D. 10 mg
Why: Standard ACLS epinephrine dosing is 1 mg at intervals during
arrest.
9. When is amiodarone used during cardiac arrest?
A. As initial drug for asystole
B. For refractory VF/pVT after defibrillation ✅
C. To treat bradycardia first-line
D. For PEA exclusively
Why: Amiodarone can improve conversion after multiple shocks.
10. Best indicator that chest compressions are effective when an
advanced airway is in place?
A. Heart rate increase
B. End-tidal CO₂ (capnography) values consistent with good
perfusion ✅
C. Pulse oximetry value
