HEARTCODE EXAM 2026/2027 ACTUAL TEST COMPLETE
ACCURATE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES (CORRECT VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS) NEWEST UPDATED VERSION
2026|GUARANTEED PASS A+ |ACLS COURSE APPROVED
EXAM
1. A 57-year-old man collapses in the emergency department. After confirming
scene safety, you check for responsiveness. He does not respond. What is your
next step?
A. Open the airway with a head-tilt chin-lift.
B. Begin chest compressions.
C. Check for a pulse for no more than 10 seconds.
D. Deliver two rescue breaths.
Correct Answer: C. Check for a pulse for no more than 10 seconds. Rationale:
After confirming unresponsiveness, the healthcare provider should
simultaneously assess breathing and pulse for no more than 10 seconds to
determine if cardiac arrest is present.
2. Which of the following is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for a
single rescuer during adult CPR?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
Correct Answer: B. 30:2 *Rationale: The 2020 AHA guidelines, which remain
current in 2026, recommend a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-
rescuer adult CPR to maximize coronary perfusion pressure. *
,3. A patient is in ventricular fibrillation (VF). After the first shock, you resume CPR.
How long should you perform CPR before checking the rhythm?
A. 1 minute
B. 2 minutes
Correct Answer: B. 2 minutes Rationale: After a defibrillation attempt, it is critical
to perform CPR for 2 minutes (5 cycles) before rechecking the rhythm to avoid
unnecessary interruptions in chest compressions.
4. What is the recommended initial dose of epinephrine for a patient in cardiac
arrest?
A. 0.5 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes
B. 3 mg IV/IO once
C. 1 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes
Correct Answer: C. 1 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes *Rationale: The standard ACLS
protocol for cardiac arrest is epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO repeated every 3-5 minutes
to support coronary and cerebral perfusion pressure. *
5. You are caring for a patient with suspected stroke. What is the maximum time
frame from patient arrival to the initiation of a head CT scan?
A. 10 minutes
B. 20 minutes
Correct Answer: B. 20 minutes *Rationale: The goal for door-to-CT scan
completion is 20 minutes to allow for timely administration of fibrinolytic therapy
within the 3 to 4.5-hour window. *
6. Which of the following rhythms is NOT shockable?
A. Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia
, B. Asystole
Correct Answer: B. Asystole Rationale: Asystole and pulseless electrical activity
(PEA) are non-shockable rhythms. Defibrillation is indicated only for VF and pt.
7. A patient present with chest pain. The ECG shows ST-segment elevation in
leads II, III, and if. Which coronary artery is most likely occluded?
A. Left anterior descending (LAD)
B. Right coronary artery (RCA)
Correct Answer: B. Right coronary artery (RCA) Rationale: ST elevation in the
inferior leads (II, III, if) typically indicates occlusion of the right coronary artery.
8. What is the correct depth of chest compressions for an adult patient?
A. At least 1.5 inches (4 cm)
B. At least 2 inches (5 cm) but not greater than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
Correct Answer: B. At least 2 inches (5 cm) but not greater than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
Rationale: Compressions should be at least 2 inches deep. Excessive depth (>2.4
inches) increases the risk of injury without improving survival rates.
9. For a patient in refractory VF, you administer amiodarone. What is the correct
initial dose?
A. 150 mg IV/IO push
B. 300 mg IV/IO push
Correct Answer: B. 300 mg IV/IO push *Rationale: The initial dose of amiodarone
for refractory VF/pct. is 300 mg IV/IO push, followed by a second dose of 150 mg
if needed. *
10. What is the primary purpose of a "pit crew" approach during resuscitation?
ACCURATE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES (CORRECT VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS) NEWEST UPDATED VERSION
2026|GUARANTEED PASS A+ |ACLS COURSE APPROVED
EXAM
1. A 57-year-old man collapses in the emergency department. After confirming
scene safety, you check for responsiveness. He does not respond. What is your
next step?
A. Open the airway with a head-tilt chin-lift.
B. Begin chest compressions.
C. Check for a pulse for no more than 10 seconds.
D. Deliver two rescue breaths.
Correct Answer: C. Check for a pulse for no more than 10 seconds. Rationale:
After confirming unresponsiveness, the healthcare provider should
simultaneously assess breathing and pulse for no more than 10 seconds to
determine if cardiac arrest is present.
2. Which of the following is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for a
single rescuer during adult CPR?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
Correct Answer: B. 30:2 *Rationale: The 2020 AHA guidelines, which remain
current in 2026, recommend a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-
rescuer adult CPR to maximize coronary perfusion pressure. *
,3. A patient is in ventricular fibrillation (VF). After the first shock, you resume CPR.
How long should you perform CPR before checking the rhythm?
A. 1 minute
B. 2 minutes
Correct Answer: B. 2 minutes Rationale: After a defibrillation attempt, it is critical
to perform CPR for 2 minutes (5 cycles) before rechecking the rhythm to avoid
unnecessary interruptions in chest compressions.
4. What is the recommended initial dose of epinephrine for a patient in cardiac
arrest?
A. 0.5 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes
B. 3 mg IV/IO once
C. 1 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes
Correct Answer: C. 1 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes *Rationale: The standard ACLS
protocol for cardiac arrest is epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO repeated every 3-5 minutes
to support coronary and cerebral perfusion pressure. *
5. You are caring for a patient with suspected stroke. What is the maximum time
frame from patient arrival to the initiation of a head CT scan?
A. 10 minutes
B. 20 minutes
Correct Answer: B. 20 minutes *Rationale: The goal for door-to-CT scan
completion is 20 minutes to allow for timely administration of fibrinolytic therapy
within the 3 to 4.5-hour window. *
6. Which of the following rhythms is NOT shockable?
A. Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia
, B. Asystole
Correct Answer: B. Asystole Rationale: Asystole and pulseless electrical activity
(PEA) are non-shockable rhythms. Defibrillation is indicated only for VF and pt.
7. A patient present with chest pain. The ECG shows ST-segment elevation in
leads II, III, and if. Which coronary artery is most likely occluded?
A. Left anterior descending (LAD)
B. Right coronary artery (RCA)
Correct Answer: B. Right coronary artery (RCA) Rationale: ST elevation in the
inferior leads (II, III, if) typically indicates occlusion of the right coronary artery.
8. What is the correct depth of chest compressions for an adult patient?
A. At least 1.5 inches (4 cm)
B. At least 2 inches (5 cm) but not greater than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
Correct Answer: B. At least 2 inches (5 cm) but not greater than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
Rationale: Compressions should be at least 2 inches deep. Excessive depth (>2.4
inches) increases the risk of injury without improving survival rates.
9. For a patient in refractory VF, you administer amiodarone. What is the correct
initial dose?
A. 150 mg IV/IO push
B. 300 mg IV/IO push
Correct Answer: B. 300 mg IV/IO push *Rationale: The initial dose of amiodarone
for refractory VF/pct. is 300 mg IV/IO push, followed by a second dose of 150 mg
if needed. *
10. What is the primary purpose of a "pit crew" approach during resuscitation?
