ACLS: 2026 AHA ACLS REVIEW
QUESTIONS ND ANSWERS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 100%
CORRECT RATED A+
Q: When a patient is suspected of having an acute stroke, which diagnostic test is
most critical for distinguishing between a clot-based (ischemic) and a bleed-based
(hemorrhagic) event? ✔️✔️
A: Noncontrast CT scan of the head. To meet professional medical standards,
this scan must be performed within 20 minutes of the patient reaching the hospital
and interpreted by a specialist within 45 minutes of arrival.
Q: A clinician is tasked with identifying the following rhythm on a monitor: the
strip shows a rapid, regular heart rate with wide, consistent QRS complexes that all
look identical. How should this be categorized? ✔️✔️
A: Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia. Unlike polymorphic VT (where the
complexes change shape), monomorphic VT features a uniform appearance,
indicating the electrical impulse is originating from a single focal point in the
ventricles.
A. Measure from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the mandible
The correct answer is A. To select the appropriate size for an oropharyngeal airway
(OPA), place the OPA against the side of the face. When the flange of the OPA is
at the corner of the mouth, the tip is at the angle of the mandible. Aproperly sized
and inserted OPA results ni proper alignment with the glottic opening. [ACLS
Provider Manual, Part :3 High-Performance Teams > Respiratory Arrest > Basic
Airway Adjuncts: OPA > Technique of
,O P A Insertion: pace 1071
Which is an acceptable method of selecting an appropriately sized oropharyngeal
airway?
A. Measure from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the mandible
B. Measure from the thyroid cartilage to the bottom of the earlobe
C.Estimate by using the formula weight (kg)/8 + 2
D.Estimate by using the size of the patient's finger
B. Give fibrinolytic therapy as soon as possibleand consider endovascular therapy
The correct answer is B. Administer fibrinolytic therapy within 3 hours from onset
of symptoms, or within 4.5 hours in selected patients. Consider endovascular
therapy, which can be administered up to 24 hours from onset of symptoms for
patients with large vessel occlusion. [ACLS Provider Manual, Part 2: Preventing
Arrest > Acute Stroke > Approach to Stroke Care > Critical Time Periods; page
47]
You are caring for a patient with a suspected stroke whose symptoms started
2hours ago. The CTscan was normal, with no signs of hemorrhage. The patient
does not have any contraindications to fibrinolytic therapy. Which treatment
approach is best for this patient?
,A. Hold fibrinolytic therapy for 24 hours
B. Give fibrinolytic therapy as soon as possible and consider endovascular therapy
C. Order an echocardiogram before fibrinolytic administration
D. Wait for the results of the MRI
D. Resume CPR, starting with chest compressions
The correct answer is D. Follow each shock immediately with CPR, beginning
with chest compressions. [ACLS ProviderManual, Part 1: Overview of ACLS >
Systematic Approach > BLS Assessment; page 181
Which is the recommended next step after a defibrillation attempt?
A. Check the ECG for evidence of a rhythm
B. Open the patient's airway
C. Determine fi a carotid pulse is present
D. Resume CPR, starting with chest compressions
, C. Agonal gasps
The correct answer is C. Agonal gasps are not normal breathing.They are a sign of
cardiac arrest. Agonal gasps may be present ni the first minutes after sudden
cardiac arrest. [ACLS Provider Manual, Part 3: High- Performance Teams >
Cardiac Arrest: VF/pVT > Applying the Adult Cardiac Arrest Algorithm: VF/pVT
Pathway > Caution: AgonalGasps; page 118]
Which of the following signs is a likely indicator of cardiac arrest in an
unresponsive patient?
A. Slow, weak pulse rate
B. Cyanosis
C. Agonal gasps
D. Irregular, weak pulse rate
C. Obtaining a 12-lead ECG
QUESTIONS ND ANSWERS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 100%
CORRECT RATED A+
Q: When a patient is suspected of having an acute stroke, which diagnostic test is
most critical for distinguishing between a clot-based (ischemic) and a bleed-based
(hemorrhagic) event? ✔️✔️
A: Noncontrast CT scan of the head. To meet professional medical standards,
this scan must be performed within 20 minutes of the patient reaching the hospital
and interpreted by a specialist within 45 minutes of arrival.
Q: A clinician is tasked with identifying the following rhythm on a monitor: the
strip shows a rapid, regular heart rate with wide, consistent QRS complexes that all
look identical. How should this be categorized? ✔️✔️
A: Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia. Unlike polymorphic VT (where the
complexes change shape), monomorphic VT features a uniform appearance,
indicating the electrical impulse is originating from a single focal point in the
ventricles.
A. Measure from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the mandible
The correct answer is A. To select the appropriate size for an oropharyngeal airway
(OPA), place the OPA against the side of the face. When the flange of the OPA is
at the corner of the mouth, the tip is at the angle of the mandible. Aproperly sized
and inserted OPA results ni proper alignment with the glottic opening. [ACLS
Provider Manual, Part :3 High-Performance Teams > Respiratory Arrest > Basic
Airway Adjuncts: OPA > Technique of
,O P A Insertion: pace 1071
Which is an acceptable method of selecting an appropriately sized oropharyngeal
airway?
A. Measure from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the mandible
B. Measure from the thyroid cartilage to the bottom of the earlobe
C.Estimate by using the formula weight (kg)/8 + 2
D.Estimate by using the size of the patient's finger
B. Give fibrinolytic therapy as soon as possibleand consider endovascular therapy
The correct answer is B. Administer fibrinolytic therapy within 3 hours from onset
of symptoms, or within 4.5 hours in selected patients. Consider endovascular
therapy, which can be administered up to 24 hours from onset of symptoms for
patients with large vessel occlusion. [ACLS Provider Manual, Part 2: Preventing
Arrest > Acute Stroke > Approach to Stroke Care > Critical Time Periods; page
47]
You are caring for a patient with a suspected stroke whose symptoms started
2hours ago. The CTscan was normal, with no signs of hemorrhage. The patient
does not have any contraindications to fibrinolytic therapy. Which treatment
approach is best for this patient?
,A. Hold fibrinolytic therapy for 24 hours
B. Give fibrinolytic therapy as soon as possible and consider endovascular therapy
C. Order an echocardiogram before fibrinolytic administration
D. Wait for the results of the MRI
D. Resume CPR, starting with chest compressions
The correct answer is D. Follow each shock immediately with CPR, beginning
with chest compressions. [ACLS ProviderManual, Part 1: Overview of ACLS >
Systematic Approach > BLS Assessment; page 181
Which is the recommended next step after a defibrillation attempt?
A. Check the ECG for evidence of a rhythm
B. Open the patient's airway
C. Determine fi a carotid pulse is present
D. Resume CPR, starting with chest compressions
, C. Agonal gasps
The correct answer is C. Agonal gasps are not normal breathing.They are a sign of
cardiac arrest. Agonal gasps may be present ni the first minutes after sudden
cardiac arrest. [ACLS Provider Manual, Part 3: High- Performance Teams >
Cardiac Arrest: VF/pVT > Applying the Adult Cardiac Arrest Algorithm: VF/pVT
Pathway > Caution: AgonalGasps; page 118]
Which of the following signs is a likely indicator of cardiac arrest in an
unresponsive patient?
A. Slow, weak pulse rate
B. Cyanosis
C. Agonal gasps
D. Irregular, weak pulse rate
C. Obtaining a 12-lead ECG
