AHA ACLS Post-test Questions and
Answers with Expert Explanation
(2026/2027 Update) Complete A+ Guide
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. On the basis of this patient's initial
presentation, which condition do you suspect led to the cardiac arrest? - correct
answer Acute coronary syndrome
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. In addition to defibrillation, which
intervention should be performed immediately? - correct answer Chest compressions
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. Despite 2 defibrillation attempts, the patient
remains in ventricular fibrillation. Which drug and dose should you administer first to
this patient? - correct answer Epinephrine 1 mg
, 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. Despite the drug provided above and
continued CPR, the patient remains in ventricular fibrillation. Which other drug should
be administered next? - correct answer Lidocaine 1 to 1.5 mg/kg
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. The patient has return of spontaneous
Answers with Expert Explanation
(2026/2027 Update) Complete A+ Guide
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. On the basis of this patient's initial
presentation, which condition do you suspect led to the cardiac arrest? - correct
answer Acute coronary syndrome
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. In addition to defibrillation, which
intervention should be performed immediately? - correct answer Chest compressions
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. Despite 2 defibrillation attempts, the patient
remains in ventricular fibrillation. Which drug and dose should you administer first to
this patient? - correct answer Epinephrine 1 mg
, 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. Despite the drug provided above and
continued CPR, the patient remains in ventricular fibrillation. Which other drug should
be administered next? - correct answer Lidocaine 1 to 1.5 mg/kg
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. The patient has return of spontaneous
