2026 ACLS EXAM A QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS 100% CORRECT (GRADED
A+)
Question: What diagnostic test is the priority for a patient with a suspected stroke
and must be completed within 20 minutes of their arrival at the hospital? Answer:
Noncontrast CT scan of the head. This is the gold standard for quickly
differentiating between an ischemic stroke and a hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in
the brain). ✔️✔️
Question: How is a Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia rhythm characterized
on a cardiac monitor? Answer: Consistent, wide QRS complexes. This rhythm
originates from a single location in the ventricles, resulting in a rapid heart rate
where every beat looks identical. ✔️✔️
Question: How do you determine the correct size for an oropharyngeal airway
(OPA) before insertion? Answer: Measure from the corner of the mouth to the
angle of the mandible. An accurately sized OPA prevents the tongue from
obstructing the airway without causing internal injury. ✔️✔️
Question: A patient with stroke symptoms starting 2 hours ago has a clear CT scan
(no hemorrhage) and no contraindications for medication. What is the most
appropriate treatment? Answer: Give fibrinolytic therapy as soon as possible
and consider endovascular therapy. Restoring blood flow quickly is essential,
and the patient falls within the critical time window for these interventions. ✔️✔️
Question: What is the immediate next step for the resuscitation team after a shock
has been delivered by a defibrillator? Answer: Resume CPR, starting with chest
compressions. Do not wait to check for a pulse or rhythm immediately after a
shock; you must provide immediate circulation for two minutes before the next
assessment. ✔️✔️
6. Which of the following signs is a likely indicator of cardiac arrest in an
unresponsive patient? -ANSWER ✔️✔️Agonal gasps
, 7. You are evaluating a 58-year-old man with chest discomfort. His blood pressure
is 92/50 mm Hg, his heart rate is 92/min, his nonlabored respiratory rate is 14
breaths per minute, and his pulse oximetry reading is 97%. Which assessment step
is most important now? -ANSWER ✔️✔️Obtaining a 12-lead ECG
8. During post-cardiac arrest care, which is the recommended duration of targeted
temperature management after reaching the correct temperature range? -ANSWER
✔️✔️At least 24 hours
9. Which type of atrioventricular block best describes this rhythm? -ANSWER
✔️✔️Second-degree atrioventricular block type I
10. 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? -ANSWER ✔️✔️Check the patient's breathing and
pulse
Use this scenario to answer the next 6 questions: -ANSWER ✔️✔️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.
11. On the basis of this patient's initial presentation, which condition do you
suspect led to the cardiac arrest? -ANSWER ✔️✔️Acute coronary syndrome
ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS 100% CORRECT (GRADED
A+)
Question: What diagnostic test is the priority for a patient with a suspected stroke
and must be completed within 20 minutes of their arrival at the hospital? Answer:
Noncontrast CT scan of the head. This is the gold standard for quickly
differentiating between an ischemic stroke and a hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in
the brain). ✔️✔️
Question: How is a Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia rhythm characterized
on a cardiac monitor? Answer: Consistent, wide QRS complexes. This rhythm
originates from a single location in the ventricles, resulting in a rapid heart rate
where every beat looks identical. ✔️✔️
Question: How do you determine the correct size for an oropharyngeal airway
(OPA) before insertion? Answer: Measure from the corner of the mouth to the
angle of the mandible. An accurately sized OPA prevents the tongue from
obstructing the airway without causing internal injury. ✔️✔️
Question: A patient with stroke symptoms starting 2 hours ago has a clear CT scan
(no hemorrhage) and no contraindications for medication. What is the most
appropriate treatment? Answer: Give fibrinolytic therapy as soon as possible
and consider endovascular therapy. Restoring blood flow quickly is essential,
and the patient falls within the critical time window for these interventions. ✔️✔️
Question: What is the immediate next step for the resuscitation team after a shock
has been delivered by a defibrillator? Answer: Resume CPR, starting with chest
compressions. Do not wait to check for a pulse or rhythm immediately after a
shock; you must provide immediate circulation for two minutes before the next
assessment. ✔️✔️
6. Which of the following signs is a likely indicator of cardiac arrest in an
unresponsive patient? -ANSWER ✔️✔️Agonal gasps
, 7. You are evaluating a 58-year-old man with chest discomfort. His blood pressure
is 92/50 mm Hg, his heart rate is 92/min, his nonlabored respiratory rate is 14
breaths per minute, and his pulse oximetry reading is 97%. Which assessment step
is most important now? -ANSWER ✔️✔️Obtaining a 12-lead ECG
8. During post-cardiac arrest care, which is the recommended duration of targeted
temperature management after reaching the correct temperature range? -ANSWER
✔️✔️At least 24 hours
9. Which type of atrioventricular block best describes this rhythm? -ANSWER
✔️✔️Second-degree atrioventricular block type I
10. 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? -ANSWER ✔️✔️Check the patient's breathing and
pulse
Use this scenario to answer the next 6 questions: -ANSWER ✔️✔️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.
11. On the basis of this patient's initial presentation, which condition do you
suspect led to the cardiac arrest? -ANSWER ✔️✔️Acute coronary syndrome
