ACLS POST TEST 1, 2 & 3 Actual Questions and
Answers With Expert Explanation (2026/2027 Update)
| Complete A+ Guide
Section 1: High-Quality CPR & Basic Life Support (BLS) Review (Questions 1-
40)
1. What is the recommended compression depth for an adult during CPR?
A) At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B) At least 2 inches (5 cm)
C) At least 3 inches (7.5 cm)
D) At least 4 inches (10 cm)
Answer: B – The AHA recommends compressing the chest at least 2 inches (5
cm) but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm) for an adult. Adequate depth is
essential to generate sufficient blood flow to vital organs.
2. What is the recommended compression rate for adult CPR?
A) 60-80 compressions per minute
B) 80-100 compressions per minute
C) 100-120 compressions per minute
D) 120-140 compressions per minute
Answer: C – The AHA recommends a compression rate of 100-120 per
minute. Rates faster than 120 reduce compression depth; rates slower than
100 reduce coronary perfusion pressure.
3. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-rescuer
adult CPR?
A) 15:2
,B) 30:2
C) 15:1
D) 30:1
Answer: B – For single-rescuer adult CPR, the ratio is 30 compressions to 2
ventilations. This prioritizes chest compressions to maintain coronary and
cerebral perfusion.
4. How long should it take to deliver each ventilation during CPR?
A) 0.5 seconds
B) 1 second
C) 2 seconds
D) 3 seconds
Answer: B – Each ventilation should be delivered over 1 second, producing
visible chest rise. Excessive ventilation can cause gastric inflation and reduce
venous return.
5. What is the maximum interval between stopping chest compressions for
rhythm checks or ventilations?
A) 5 seconds
B) 10 seconds
C) 15 seconds
D) 20 seconds
Answer: B – The "hands-off" interval should be limited to less than 10
seconds. Prolonged interruptions decrease coronary perfusion pressure and
reduce the chance of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).
6. Which finding is the most reliable indicator of high-quality CPR?
A) Presence of a carotid pulse during compressions
,B) End-tidal CO₂ (ETCO₂) ≥10 mm Hg
C) Systolic blood pressure >90 mm Hg
D) Patient movement during compressions
Answer: B – ETCO₂ ≥10 mm Hg indicates adequate perfusion from chest
compressions. A sudden increase in ETCO₂ during CPR may indicate ROSC.
Carotid pulse palpation (A) is unreliable during CPR.
7. What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for two-
rescuer adult CPR with an advanced airway in place?
A) 30:2
B) 15:2
C) Continuous compressions at 100-120/min with 1 breath every 6 seconds (10
breaths/min)
D) Continuous compressions with no ventilations
Answer: C – Once an advanced airway (ET tube or supraglottic airway) is
placed, rescuers deliver continuous compressions at 100-120/min without
pausing for ventilations, and deliver 1 breath every 6 seconds (10
breaths/min).
8. What is the minimum chest compression fraction (CCF) recommended
during CPR?
A) 40%
B) 50%
C) 60%
D) 80%
Answer: C – The AHA recommends a chest compression fraction of at least
60%. Higher CCF (≥80%) is associated with improved outcomes. CCF is the
proportion of time during CPR that chest compressions are being delivered.
, 9. How often should rescuers switch roles during CPR to prevent fatigue?
A) Every 30 seconds
B) Every 1 minute
C) Every 2 minutes (or after about 5 cycles of 30:2)
D) Every 5 minutes
Answer: C – Rescuers should switch compressors every 2 minutes (or after
about 5 cycles of 30:2) to prevent fatigue, which leads to inadequate
compression depth and rate.
10. What is the recommended method for checking a pulse during CPR?
A) Palpate the carotid artery for 10 seconds
B) Palpate the radial artery for 5 seconds
C) Palpate the carotid artery for 5 seconds but no more than 10 seconds
D) Do not check pulses during CPR; check only after rhythm analysis
Answer: C – If a pulse is checked, it should be done for 5-10 seconds.
However, pulse checks are only performed during rhythm analysis pauses.
Prolonged pulse checks delay chest compressions.
11. What is the appropriate initial action when you find an unresponsive
adult who is not breathing and has no pulse?
A) Activate emergency response and get an AED
B) Begin CPR with 30 compressions
C) Give 2 rescue breaths
D) Check for a carotid pulse for 10 seconds
Answer: A – For an unresponsive, not breathing, pulseless adult, the first
step is to activate the emergency response system and get an AED. Then
begin CPR starting with compressions.
Answers With Expert Explanation (2026/2027 Update)
| Complete A+ Guide
Section 1: High-Quality CPR & Basic Life Support (BLS) Review (Questions 1-
40)
1. What is the recommended compression depth for an adult during CPR?
A) At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B) At least 2 inches (5 cm)
C) At least 3 inches (7.5 cm)
D) At least 4 inches (10 cm)
Answer: B – The AHA recommends compressing the chest at least 2 inches (5
cm) but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm) for an adult. Adequate depth is
essential to generate sufficient blood flow to vital organs.
2. What is the recommended compression rate for adult CPR?
A) 60-80 compressions per minute
B) 80-100 compressions per minute
C) 100-120 compressions per minute
D) 120-140 compressions per minute
Answer: C – The AHA recommends a compression rate of 100-120 per
minute. Rates faster than 120 reduce compression depth; rates slower than
100 reduce coronary perfusion pressure.
3. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-rescuer
adult CPR?
A) 15:2
,B) 30:2
C) 15:1
D) 30:1
Answer: B – For single-rescuer adult CPR, the ratio is 30 compressions to 2
ventilations. This prioritizes chest compressions to maintain coronary and
cerebral perfusion.
4. How long should it take to deliver each ventilation during CPR?
A) 0.5 seconds
B) 1 second
C) 2 seconds
D) 3 seconds
Answer: B – Each ventilation should be delivered over 1 second, producing
visible chest rise. Excessive ventilation can cause gastric inflation and reduce
venous return.
5. What is the maximum interval between stopping chest compressions for
rhythm checks or ventilations?
A) 5 seconds
B) 10 seconds
C) 15 seconds
D) 20 seconds
Answer: B – The "hands-off" interval should be limited to less than 10
seconds. Prolonged interruptions decrease coronary perfusion pressure and
reduce the chance of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).
6. Which finding is the most reliable indicator of high-quality CPR?
A) Presence of a carotid pulse during compressions
,B) End-tidal CO₂ (ETCO₂) ≥10 mm Hg
C) Systolic blood pressure >90 mm Hg
D) Patient movement during compressions
Answer: B – ETCO₂ ≥10 mm Hg indicates adequate perfusion from chest
compressions. A sudden increase in ETCO₂ during CPR may indicate ROSC.
Carotid pulse palpation (A) is unreliable during CPR.
7. What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for two-
rescuer adult CPR with an advanced airway in place?
A) 30:2
B) 15:2
C) Continuous compressions at 100-120/min with 1 breath every 6 seconds (10
breaths/min)
D) Continuous compressions with no ventilations
Answer: C – Once an advanced airway (ET tube or supraglottic airway) is
placed, rescuers deliver continuous compressions at 100-120/min without
pausing for ventilations, and deliver 1 breath every 6 seconds (10
breaths/min).
8. What is the minimum chest compression fraction (CCF) recommended
during CPR?
A) 40%
B) 50%
C) 60%
D) 80%
Answer: C – The AHA recommends a chest compression fraction of at least
60%. Higher CCF (≥80%) is associated with improved outcomes. CCF is the
proportion of time during CPR that chest compressions are being delivered.
, 9. How often should rescuers switch roles during CPR to prevent fatigue?
A) Every 30 seconds
B) Every 1 minute
C) Every 2 minutes (or after about 5 cycles of 30:2)
D) Every 5 minutes
Answer: C – Rescuers should switch compressors every 2 minutes (or after
about 5 cycles of 30:2) to prevent fatigue, which leads to inadequate
compression depth and rate.
10. What is the recommended method for checking a pulse during CPR?
A) Palpate the carotid artery for 10 seconds
B) Palpate the radial artery for 5 seconds
C) Palpate the carotid artery for 5 seconds but no more than 10 seconds
D) Do not check pulses during CPR; check only after rhythm analysis
Answer: C – If a pulse is checked, it should be done for 5-10 seconds.
However, pulse checks are only performed during rhythm analysis pauses.
Prolonged pulse checks delay chest compressions.
11. What is the appropriate initial action when you find an unresponsive
adult who is not breathing and has no pulse?
A) Activate emergency response and get an AED
B) Begin CPR with 30 compressions
C) Give 2 rescue breaths
D) Check for a carotid pulse for 10 seconds
Answer: A – For an unresponsive, not breathing, pulseless adult, the first
step is to activate the emergency response system and get an AED. Then
begin CPR starting with compressions.
