RQI 2026 ACLS HEALTHCARE PROVIDER COMPLETE Q&A |
Aligned with RQI/ACLS Guidelines & AHA Standards | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
High-Quality CPR & Basic Life Support (BLS) Foundations
15 Questions
Q1: A nurse finds a 58-year-old man unresponsive in the hospital hallway. After
confirming unresponsiveness, what is the very first action the nurse should take?
A. Begin chest compressions immediately
B. Activate the emergency response system and get an AED [CORRECT]
C. Check for a pulse for 10 seconds
D. Open the airway and give two rescue breaths
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In a hospital setting, the first step after confirming unresponsiveness is to
activate the emergency response system and obtain an AED/defibrillator. In
out-of-hospital settings, you would call 911 first if alone, but in-hospital protocols
prioritize getting help and equipment immediately. Option A skips the critical step of
summoning resources. Option C delays activation. Option D is not the priority in the
adult cardiac arrest algorithm.
Q2: During high-quality CPR on an adult, what is the recommended compression depth?
A. At least 1.5 inches but no more than 2 inches
B. At least 2 inches but no more than 2.4 inches [CORRECT]
C. At least 2.5 inches to ensure adequate perfusion
D. Approximately 1 inch to avoid rib fractures
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: The 2020/2026 AHA guidelines specify compression depth of at least 2
inches (5 cm) but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm) for adults. Option A is too shallow and
inadequate. Option C exceeds safe depth and increases injury risk. Option D is grossly
insufficient for generating cardiac output.
Q3: A team is performing CPR on an adult patient. How often should compressors
rotate to maintain quality?
A. Every 30 compressions
B. Every 1 minute
C. Every 2 minutes or 5 cycles of 30:2 [CORRECT]
D. Only when the compressor becomes visibly fatigued
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Compressor rotation every 2 minutes (or 5 cycles if using 30:2 ratio) prevents
fatigue-induced deterioration in compression quality. Option A is too frequent and
interrupts perfusion. Option B is not the standard interval. Option D waits too
long—fatigue degrades quality before it becomes visible.
Q4: What is the recommended compression rate for adult high-quality CPR?
A. 80–100 compressions per minute
B. 100–120 compressions per minute [CORRECT]
C. 120–140 compressions per minute
D. As fast as possible to maximize cardiac output
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The optimal compression rate is 100–120 per minute. Rates below 100 are
inadequate for perfusion, while rates above 120 reduce compression depth and
coronary perfusion pressure. Option A is too slow. Options C and D are too fast and
counterproductive.
,Q5: During CPR, the team leader notices the compressor is not allowing full chest recoil.
What is the concern?
A. It doesn't matter as long as compression depth is adequate
B. Incomplete recoil reduces venous return and coronary perfusion pressure [CORRECT]
C. Full recoil is only important for pediatric patients
D. Leaning on the chest helps maintain consistent compression depth
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Full chest recoil allows the heart to refill between compressions. Leaning or
incomplete recoil reduces venous return, coronary perfusion, and overall cardiac output.
Option A is false—recoil is as critical as depth. Option C is incorrect—recoil matters for
all ages. Option D describes dangerous technique.
Q6: What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for adult CPR with a
single rescuer?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2 [CORRECT]
C. 5:1
D. 50:2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The 30:2 ratio minimizes interruptions in compressions while providing
adequate ventilation for adults. Option A is the ratio for two-rescuer pediatric CPR.
Option C is an outdated ratio no longer used. Option D provides insufficient ventilations.
Q7: A team is performing CPR with an advanced airway in place (endotracheal tube).
How should ventilations be delivered?
A. Pause compressions every 30 compressions to deliver 2 breaths
B. Deliver 1 breath every 6 seconds without pausing compressions [CORRECT]
C. Squeeze the BVM continuously during compressions
D. Deliver breaths only when the compressor switches
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: With an advanced airway, compressions continue continuously at
100–120/min while ventilations are delivered asynchronously at 1 breath every 6
seconds (10 breaths/min). Option A describes the ratio without an advanced airway.
Option C causes gastric insufflation and inadequate ventilation. Option D is not a
recognized protocol.
Q8: What is the target compression fraction (percentage of time spent compressing)
during CPR?
A. At least 50%
B. At least 60%
C. At least 80% [CORRECT]
D. 100%—compressions should never stop
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The goal is at least 80% compression fraction, meaning compressions should
be delivered at least 80% of the total resuscitation time. Options A and B are too low
and result in poor perfusion. Option D is impossible—rhythm checks, pulse checks, and
defibrillation require brief pauses.
Q9: A nurse is performing CPR and notices the patient's abdomen is becoming
distended. What is the most likely cause?
A. Adequate compressions generating normal movement
B. Excessive ventilation pressure or volume causing gastric insufflation [CORRECT]
C. This is a normal finding during effective CPR
D. The patient is experiencing a gastrointestinal bleed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gastric insufflation occurs when ventilation volume or pressure is excessive,
especially without an advanced airway. This increases aspiration risk and impairs lung
Aligned with RQI/ACLS Guidelines & AHA Standards | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
High-Quality CPR & Basic Life Support (BLS) Foundations
15 Questions
Q1: A nurse finds a 58-year-old man unresponsive in the hospital hallway. After
confirming unresponsiveness, what is the very first action the nurse should take?
A. Begin chest compressions immediately
B. Activate the emergency response system and get an AED [CORRECT]
C. Check for a pulse for 10 seconds
D. Open the airway and give two rescue breaths
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In a hospital setting, the first step after confirming unresponsiveness is to
activate the emergency response system and obtain an AED/defibrillator. In
out-of-hospital settings, you would call 911 first if alone, but in-hospital protocols
prioritize getting help and equipment immediately. Option A skips the critical step of
summoning resources. Option C delays activation. Option D is not the priority in the
adult cardiac arrest algorithm.
Q2: During high-quality CPR on an adult, what is the recommended compression depth?
A. At least 1.5 inches but no more than 2 inches
B. At least 2 inches but no more than 2.4 inches [CORRECT]
C. At least 2.5 inches to ensure adequate perfusion
D. Approximately 1 inch to avoid rib fractures
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: The 2020/2026 AHA guidelines specify compression depth of at least 2
inches (5 cm) but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm) for adults. Option A is too shallow and
inadequate. Option C exceeds safe depth and increases injury risk. Option D is grossly
insufficient for generating cardiac output.
Q3: A team is performing CPR on an adult patient. How often should compressors
rotate to maintain quality?
A. Every 30 compressions
B. Every 1 minute
C. Every 2 minutes or 5 cycles of 30:2 [CORRECT]
D. Only when the compressor becomes visibly fatigued
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Compressor rotation every 2 minutes (or 5 cycles if using 30:2 ratio) prevents
fatigue-induced deterioration in compression quality. Option A is too frequent and
interrupts perfusion. Option B is not the standard interval. Option D waits too
long—fatigue degrades quality before it becomes visible.
Q4: What is the recommended compression rate for adult high-quality CPR?
A. 80–100 compressions per minute
B. 100–120 compressions per minute [CORRECT]
C. 120–140 compressions per minute
D. As fast as possible to maximize cardiac output
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The optimal compression rate is 100–120 per minute. Rates below 100 are
inadequate for perfusion, while rates above 120 reduce compression depth and
coronary perfusion pressure. Option A is too slow. Options C and D are too fast and
counterproductive.
,Q5: During CPR, the team leader notices the compressor is not allowing full chest recoil.
What is the concern?
A. It doesn't matter as long as compression depth is adequate
B. Incomplete recoil reduces venous return and coronary perfusion pressure [CORRECT]
C. Full recoil is only important for pediatric patients
D. Leaning on the chest helps maintain consistent compression depth
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Full chest recoil allows the heart to refill between compressions. Leaning or
incomplete recoil reduces venous return, coronary perfusion, and overall cardiac output.
Option A is false—recoil is as critical as depth. Option C is incorrect—recoil matters for
all ages. Option D describes dangerous technique.
Q6: What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for adult CPR with a
single rescuer?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2 [CORRECT]
C. 5:1
D. 50:2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The 30:2 ratio minimizes interruptions in compressions while providing
adequate ventilation for adults. Option A is the ratio for two-rescuer pediatric CPR.
Option C is an outdated ratio no longer used. Option D provides insufficient ventilations.
Q7: A team is performing CPR with an advanced airway in place (endotracheal tube).
How should ventilations be delivered?
A. Pause compressions every 30 compressions to deliver 2 breaths
B. Deliver 1 breath every 6 seconds without pausing compressions [CORRECT]
C. Squeeze the BVM continuously during compressions
D. Deliver breaths only when the compressor switches
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: With an advanced airway, compressions continue continuously at
100–120/min while ventilations are delivered asynchronously at 1 breath every 6
seconds (10 breaths/min). Option A describes the ratio without an advanced airway.
Option C causes gastric insufflation and inadequate ventilation. Option D is not a
recognized protocol.
Q8: What is the target compression fraction (percentage of time spent compressing)
during CPR?
A. At least 50%
B. At least 60%
C. At least 80% [CORRECT]
D. 100%—compressions should never stop
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The goal is at least 80% compression fraction, meaning compressions should
be delivered at least 80% of the total resuscitation time. Options A and B are too low
and result in poor perfusion. Option D is impossible—rhythm checks, pulse checks, and
defibrillation require brief pauses.
Q9: A nurse is performing CPR and notices the patient's abdomen is becoming
distended. What is the most likely cause?
A. Adequate compressions generating normal movement
B. Excessive ventilation pressure or volume causing gastric insufflation [CORRECT]
C. This is a normal finding during effective CPR
D. The patient is experiencing a gastrointestinal bleed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gastric insufflation occurs when ventilation volume or pressure is excessive,
especially without an advanced airway. This increases aspiration risk and impairs lung
