2020 ACLS Exam A questions and answers exam 2025/2026
1. Which of these tests should be performed for a patient with suspected stroke as soon as possible
but no more than 20 minutes after hospital arrival? - Noncontrast CT scan of the head
2. Which best describes this rhythm? - Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia
3. Which is an acceptable method of selecting an appropriately sized oropharyngeal airway? -
Measure from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the mandible
You are caring for a patient with a suspected stroke whose symptoms started 2 hours ago. The CT scan
was normal, with no signs of hemorrhage. The patient does not have any contraindications to
fibrinolytic therapy. Which treatment approach is best for this patient? - Give fibrinolytic therapy as
soon as possible and consider endovascular therapy
5. Which is the recommended next step after a defibrillation attempt? - Resume CPR, starting with
chest compressions
6. Which of the following signs is a likely indicator of cardiac arrest in an unresponsive patient? -
Agonal gasps
7. You are evaluating a 58-year-old man with chest discomfort. His blood pressure is 92/50 mm Hg,
his heart rate is 92/min, his nonlabored respiratory rate is 14 breaths per minute, and his pulse
oximetry reading is 97%. Which assessment step is most important now? - Obtaining a 12-lead ECG
8. During post-cardiac arrest care, which is the recommended duration of targeted
temperature management after reaching the correct temperature range? - At least 24 hours
9. Which type of atrioventricular block best describes this rhythm? - Second-degree
atrioventricular block type I
, 10. Your rescue team arrives to find a 59-year-old man lying on the kitchen floor. You determine that he
is unresponsive. Which is the next step in your assessment and management of this patient? - Check
the patient's breathing and pulse
Use this scenario to answer the next 6 questions: - A 45-year-old man had coronary artery stents
placed 2 days ago. Today, he is in severe distress and is reporting "crushing" chest discomfort. He is
pale, diaphoretic, and cool to the touch. His radial pulse is very weak, blood pressure is 64/40 mm Hg,
respiratory rate is 28 breaths per minute, and oxygen saturation is 89% on room air. When applied, the
cardiac monitor initially showed ventricular tachycardia, which then quickly changed to ventricular
fibrillation.
11. On the basis of this patient's initial presentation, which condition do you suspect led to the
cardiac arrest? - Acute coronary syndrome
12. In addition to defibrillation, which intervention should be performed immediately? -
Chest compressions
13. Despite 2 defibrillation attempts, the patient remains in ventricular fibrillation. Which drug and
dose should you administer first to this patient? - Epinephrine 1 mg
14. Despite the drug provided above and continued CPR, the patient remains in ventricular
fibrillation. Which other drug should be administered next? - Lidocaine 1 to 1.5 mg/kg
15. The patient has return of spontaneous circulation and is not able to follow commands. Which
post- cardiac arrest care intervention do you choose for this patient? - Initiate targeted temperature
management
16. Which would you have done first if the patient had not gone into ventricular fibrillation? -
Performed synchronized cardioversion
1. Which of these tests should be performed for a patient with suspected stroke as soon as possible
but no more than 20 minutes after hospital arrival? - Noncontrast CT scan of the head
2. Which best describes this rhythm? - Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia
3. Which is an acceptable method of selecting an appropriately sized oropharyngeal airway? -
Measure from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the mandible
You are caring for a patient with a suspected stroke whose symptoms started 2 hours ago. The CT scan
was normal, with no signs of hemorrhage. The patient does not have any contraindications to
fibrinolytic therapy. Which treatment approach is best for this patient? - Give fibrinolytic therapy as
soon as possible and consider endovascular therapy
5. Which is the recommended next step after a defibrillation attempt? - Resume CPR, starting with
chest compressions
6. Which of the following signs is a likely indicator of cardiac arrest in an unresponsive patient? -
Agonal gasps
7. You are evaluating a 58-year-old man with chest discomfort. His blood pressure is 92/50 mm Hg,
his heart rate is 92/min, his nonlabored respiratory rate is 14 breaths per minute, and his pulse
oximetry reading is 97%. Which assessment step is most important now? - Obtaining a 12-lead ECG
8. During post-cardiac arrest care, which is the recommended duration of targeted
temperature management after reaching the correct temperature range? - At least 24 hours
9. Which type of atrioventricular block best describes this rhythm? - Second-degree
atrioventricular block type I
, 10. Your rescue team arrives to find a 59-year-old man lying on the kitchen floor. You determine that he
is unresponsive. Which is the next step in your assessment and management of this patient? - Check
the patient's breathing and pulse
Use this scenario to answer the next 6 questions: - A 45-year-old man had coronary artery stents
placed 2 days ago. Today, he is in severe distress and is reporting "crushing" chest discomfort. He is
pale, diaphoretic, and cool to the touch. His radial pulse is very weak, blood pressure is 64/40 mm Hg,
respiratory rate is 28 breaths per minute, and oxygen saturation is 89% on room air. When applied, the
cardiac monitor initially showed ventricular tachycardia, which then quickly changed to ventricular
fibrillation.
11. On the basis of this patient's initial presentation, which condition do you suspect led to the
cardiac arrest? - Acute coronary syndrome
12. In addition to defibrillation, which intervention should be performed immediately? -
Chest compressions
13. Despite 2 defibrillation attempts, the patient remains in ventricular fibrillation. Which drug and
dose should you administer first to this patient? - Epinephrine 1 mg
14. Despite the drug provided above and continued CPR, the patient remains in ventricular
fibrillation. Which other drug should be administered next? - Lidocaine 1 to 1.5 mg/kg
15. The patient has return of spontaneous circulation and is not able to follow commands. Which
post- cardiac arrest care intervention do you choose for this patient? - Initiate targeted temperature
management
16. Which would you have done first if the patient had not gone into ventricular fibrillation? -
Performed synchronized cardioversion
