ACLS POST TEST 1, 2 & 3 Actual
Questions and Answers With Expert
Explanation (2026/2027 Update) |
Complete A+ Guide
Exam Blueprint:
BLS & High-Quality CPR (10%) – 20 Qs
Airway Management & Ventilation (10%) – 20 Qs
Cardiac Arrest (VF/pVT/PEA/Asystole) (25%) – 50 Qs
Bradyarrhythmias (10%) – 20 Qs
Tachyarrhythmias (15%) – 30 Qs
Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) (10%) – 20 Qs
Stroke (10%) – 20 Qs
Post-Cardiac Arrest Care & Team Dynamics (10%) – 20 Qs
SECTION 1: BLS & HIGH-QUALITY CPR – Questions 1–20
1. A 55-year-old man collapses and is unresponsive. No breathing is
detected. The correct rate for delivering chest compressions is:
A) 60-80 per minute
B) 100-120 per minute
C) 140-160 per minute
,D) As fast as possible
Answer: B
Rationale: High-quality CPR requires compressions at a rate of 100-120 per
minute. Rates above 120 reduce compression depth and recoil.
2. The recommended compression depth for an adult during CPR is:
A) At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B) At least 2 inches (5 cm) but not more than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
C) At least 3 inches (7.5 cm)
D) 1.5 inches (4 cm)
Answer: B
Rationale: Adequate depth is at least 2 inches (5 cm) for adults. Excessive
depth (>2.4 inches) increases the risk of injury without improving
outcomes.
3. What is the recommended chest compression fraction (CCF) for optimal
outcomes?
A) Less than 50%
B) At least 60%
C) At least 80%
D) 100%
Answer: B
Rationale: A CCF of at least 60% is recommended, with a target of 80% or
higher. Minimizing interruptions increases coronary and cerebral
perfusion.
4. Which action is most critical to minimize interruptions in chest
compressions?
,A) Pulse checks every 30 seconds
B) Rhythm checks every 2 minutes (after 5 cycles of CPR)
C) Intubation during CPR without pausing compressions
D) Defibrillation without resuming compressions first
Answer: B
Rationale: Rhythm checks should occur every 2 minutes (after 5 cycles of
CPR) and be as brief as possible (<10 seconds). Intubation should not
interrupt compressions.
5. A patient is in cardiac arrest. A second rescuer arrives with a
bag-valve-mask (BVM). What is the correct compression-to-ventilation
ratio for two-rescuer adult CPR?
A) 30:2
B) 15:2
C) 30:1
D) Continuous compressions with asynchronous breaths at 10
breaths/minute
Answer: A
Rationale: For adult CPR (one or two rescuers), the ratio is 30:2 unless an
advanced airway is in place. With an advanced airway (ETT or
supraglottic), give 1 breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths/min) without
pausing compressions.
6. A patient is in cardiac arrest and has an advanced airway (endotracheal
tube) in place. What is the correct ventilation rate?
A) 1 breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths/min)
B) 2 breaths every 30 compressions
, C) 1 breath every 3 seconds (20 breaths/min)
D) 10 breaths/min synchronized with compressions
Answer: A
Rationale: With an advanced airway, continuous compressions are given at
100-120/min, and ventilations are delivered at 1 breath every 6 seconds (10
breaths/min) without pausing compressions.
7. Immediately after defibrillation, CPR should resume:
A) After a 10-second pulse check
B) Immediately, starting with chest compressions
C) After delivering 2 rescue breaths
D) After analyzing the rhythm for 30 seconds
Answer: B
Rationale: After defibrillation, CPR should resume immediately, starting
with chest compressions, without a rhythm or pulse check. The rhythm
check is performed after 2 minutes (5 cycles).
8. The team leader instructs the compressor to “push harder.” The
compressor is already pushing at maximum effort but has a body habitus
that limits depth. What is the best next step?
A) Use a mechanical CPR device
B) Rotate compressors every 2 minutes
C) Switch to a different compressor
D) Apply a CPR feedback device
Answer: D
Rationale: CPR feedback devices (audible/visual prompts) improve
Questions and Answers With Expert
Explanation (2026/2027 Update) |
Complete A+ Guide
Exam Blueprint:
BLS & High-Quality CPR (10%) – 20 Qs
Airway Management & Ventilation (10%) – 20 Qs
Cardiac Arrest (VF/pVT/PEA/Asystole) (25%) – 50 Qs
Bradyarrhythmias (10%) – 20 Qs
Tachyarrhythmias (15%) – 30 Qs
Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) (10%) – 20 Qs
Stroke (10%) – 20 Qs
Post-Cardiac Arrest Care & Team Dynamics (10%) – 20 Qs
SECTION 1: BLS & HIGH-QUALITY CPR – Questions 1–20
1. A 55-year-old man collapses and is unresponsive. No breathing is
detected. The correct rate for delivering chest compressions is:
A) 60-80 per minute
B) 100-120 per minute
C) 140-160 per minute
,D) As fast as possible
Answer: B
Rationale: High-quality CPR requires compressions at a rate of 100-120 per
minute. Rates above 120 reduce compression depth and recoil.
2. The recommended compression depth for an adult during CPR is:
A) At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B) At least 2 inches (5 cm) but not more than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
C) At least 3 inches (7.5 cm)
D) 1.5 inches (4 cm)
Answer: B
Rationale: Adequate depth is at least 2 inches (5 cm) for adults. Excessive
depth (>2.4 inches) increases the risk of injury without improving
outcomes.
3. What is the recommended chest compression fraction (CCF) for optimal
outcomes?
A) Less than 50%
B) At least 60%
C) At least 80%
D) 100%
Answer: B
Rationale: A CCF of at least 60% is recommended, with a target of 80% or
higher. Minimizing interruptions increases coronary and cerebral
perfusion.
4. Which action is most critical to minimize interruptions in chest
compressions?
,A) Pulse checks every 30 seconds
B) Rhythm checks every 2 minutes (after 5 cycles of CPR)
C) Intubation during CPR without pausing compressions
D) Defibrillation without resuming compressions first
Answer: B
Rationale: Rhythm checks should occur every 2 minutes (after 5 cycles of
CPR) and be as brief as possible (<10 seconds). Intubation should not
interrupt compressions.
5. A patient is in cardiac arrest. A second rescuer arrives with a
bag-valve-mask (BVM). What is the correct compression-to-ventilation
ratio for two-rescuer adult CPR?
A) 30:2
B) 15:2
C) 30:1
D) Continuous compressions with asynchronous breaths at 10
breaths/minute
Answer: A
Rationale: For adult CPR (one or two rescuers), the ratio is 30:2 unless an
advanced airway is in place. With an advanced airway (ETT or
supraglottic), give 1 breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths/min) without
pausing compressions.
6. A patient is in cardiac arrest and has an advanced airway (endotracheal
tube) in place. What is the correct ventilation rate?
A) 1 breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths/min)
B) 2 breaths every 30 compressions
, C) 1 breath every 3 seconds (20 breaths/min)
D) 10 breaths/min synchronized with compressions
Answer: A
Rationale: With an advanced airway, continuous compressions are given at
100-120/min, and ventilations are delivered at 1 breath every 6 seconds (10
breaths/min) without pausing compressions.
7. Immediately after defibrillation, CPR should resume:
A) After a 10-second pulse check
B) Immediately, starting with chest compressions
C) After delivering 2 rescue breaths
D) After analyzing the rhythm for 30 seconds
Answer: B
Rationale: After defibrillation, CPR should resume immediately, starting
with chest compressions, without a rhythm or pulse check. The rhythm
check is performed after 2 minutes (5 cycles).
8. The team leader instructs the compressor to “push harder.” The
compressor is already pushing at maximum effort but has a body habitus
that limits depth. What is the best next step?
A) Use a mechanical CPR device
B) Rotate compressors every 2 minutes
C) Switch to a different compressor
D) Apply a CPR feedback device
Answer: D
Rationale: CPR feedback devices (audible/visual prompts) improve
