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. Which would you have done first if the
patient had not gone into ventricular fibrillation? - correct answer Performed
synchronized cardioversion
,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? - correct answer Check the patient's breathing and pulse
You are performing chest compressions during an adult resuscitation attempt. Which
rate should you use to perform the compressions? - correct answer 100 to 120/min
A patient in respiratory distress and with a blood pressure of 70/50 mm Hg presents
with the lead II ECG rhythm shown here. Which is the appropriate treatment? - correct
answer Performing synchronized cardioversion
Which of these tests should be performed for a patient with suspected stroke as early
as possible but no more than 20 minutes after hospital arrival? - correct answer
Noncontrast CT scan of the head
, Which best describes the length of time it should take to perform a pulse check during
the BLS Assessment? - correct answer 5 to 10 seconds
Which is the recommended next step after a defibrillation attempt? - correct answer
Resume CPR, starting with chest compressions
A 68-year-old woman presents with light-headedness, nausea, and chest discomfort.
Your assessment finds her awake and responsive but appearing ill, pale, and grossly
diaphoretic. Her radial pulse is weak, thready, and fast. You are unable to obtain a
blood pressure. She has no obvious dependent edema, and her neck veins are flat. Her
lung sounds are equal, with moderate rales present bilaterally. The cardiac monitor
shows the rhythm seen here. On the basis of this patient's initial assessment, which
ACLS algorithm should you follow? - correct answer Adult Tachycardia With a Pulse
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. Which would you have done first if the
patient had not gone into ventricular fibrillation? - correct answer Performed
synchronized cardioversion
,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? - correct answer Check the patient's breathing and pulse
You are performing chest compressions during an adult resuscitation attempt. Which
rate should you use to perform the compressions? - correct answer 100 to 120/min
A patient in respiratory distress and with a blood pressure of 70/50 mm Hg presents
with the lead II ECG rhythm shown here. Which is the appropriate treatment? - correct
answer Performing synchronized cardioversion
Which of these tests should be performed for a patient with suspected stroke as early
as possible but no more than 20 minutes after hospital arrival? - correct answer
Noncontrast CT scan of the head
, Which best describes the length of time it should take to perform a pulse check during
the BLS Assessment? - correct answer 5 to 10 seconds
Which is the recommended next step after a defibrillation attempt? - correct answer
Resume CPR, starting with chest compressions
A 68-year-old woman presents with light-headedness, nausea, and chest discomfort.
Your assessment finds her awake and responsive but appearing ill, pale, and grossly
diaphoretic. Her radial pulse is weak, thready, and fast. You are unable to obtain a
blood pressure. She has no obvious dependent edema, and her neck veins are flat. Her
lung sounds are equal, with moderate rales present bilaterally. The cardiac monitor
shows the rhythm seen here. On the basis of this patient's initial assessment, which
ACLS algorithm should you follow? - correct answer Adult Tachycardia With a Pulse
