AHA Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
(ACLS) Certification Exam 2026
Which quality improvement component of systems of care best describes the capture and review
of data related to resuscitation education, processes, and outcomes?
A. Structure
B. Process
C. Measurement
D. Outcome
Correct Answer: Measurement
Explanation: Measurement involves the systematic capture and review of data on resuscitation
education, processes of care, and patient outcomes to identify opportunities for improvement.
Which one of the following is an interdependent component of systems of care?
A. Structure
B. Process
C. Patient outcome
D. Feedback
Correct Answer: Structure
Explanation: Structure (e.g., resources, equipment, trained personnel) is one of the
interdependent components of a system of care, along with process and outcome.
Which is the max interval you should allow for an interruption in chest compressions?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 15 seconds
D. 20 seconds
Correct Answer: 10 seconds
,Explanation: Interruptions in chest compressions should be limited to no more than 10 seconds
to maintain high chest compression fraction and coronary perfusion pressure.
What is an effect of excessive ventilation?
A. Increased venous return
B. Decreased cardiac output
C. Improved oxygenation
D. Increased coronary perfusion
Correct Answer: Decreased cardiac output
Explanation: Excessive ventilation increases intrathoracic pressure, which decreases venous
return to the heart and reduces cardiac output.
What is the recommended next step after a defibrillation attempt?
A. Check rhythm immediately
B. Give a vasopressor
C. Resume CPR, starting with chest compressions
D. Perform a pulse check
Correct Answer: Resume CPR, starting with chest compressions
Explanation: After defibrillation, immediately resume high-quality CPR (starting with
compressions) for 2 minutes before pausing to check rhythm or pulse.
How does complete chest recoil contribute to effective CPR?
A. Increases compression depth
B. Allows maximum blood return to the heart
C. Reduces rescuer fatigue
D. Improves ventilation
Correct Answer: Allows maximum blood return to the heart
Explanation: Allowing full chest recoil between compressions permits the heart to refill with
blood, improving venous return and cardiac output.
What is an advantage of a systematic approach to patient assessment?
A. Speeds up the assessment
,B. Reduces the chance of missing important signs and symptoms
C. Eliminates the need for a secondary assessment
D. Allows skipping the initial impression
Correct Answer: Reduces the chance of missing important signs and symptoms
Explanation: A systematic approach ensures a thorough evaluation and minimizes the risk of
overlooking critical findings.
What is the first step in the systematic approach to patient assessment?
A. Primary assessment
B. Initial impression
C. Secondary assessment
D. Vital signs
Correct Answer: Initial impression
Explanation: The first step is forming a rapid initial impression (appearance, work of breathing,
circulation) to determine if the patient is sick or not sick.
Which action is part of the secondary assessment of a conscious patient?
A. Performing a pulse check
B. Formulate a differential diagnosis
C. Immediate defibrillation
D. Giving oxygen
Correct Answer: Formulate a differential diagnosis
Explanation: The secondary assessment includes a focused history, physical exam, and
formulating a differential diagnosis to guide treatment.
Which is one of the H's and T's that represent a potentially reversible cause of cardiac arrest and
other emergency cardiopulmonary conditions?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Hypothermia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocapnia
, Correct Answer: Hypothermia
Explanation: Hypothermia is one of the reversible causes (H’s and T’s) that should be identified
and treated during cardiac arrest.
What should be the primary focus of the CPR Coach on a resuscitation team?
A. Documenting the code
B. To ensure high quality CPR
C. Managing medications
D. Leading the team
Correct Answer: To ensure high quality CPR
Explanation: The CPR Coach’s main role is to provide real-time feedback to optimize the
quality of chest compressions and ventilations.
The CPR Coach Role can be blended into which of the following roles?
A. Team leader
B. Airway manager
C. The monitor/defibrillator
D. Medication administrator
Correct Answer: The monitor/defibrillator
Explanation: The CPR Coach role is often combined with the monitor/defibrillator role because
this person has a good view of the quality of CPR.
Which of the following is a responsibility of the CPR coach?
A. Giving medications
B. Coordinating compressor switches
C. Performing intubation
D. Charging the defibrillator
Correct Answer: Coordinating compressor switches
Explanation: The CPR Coach helps coordinate timely compressor switches (every 2 minutes) to
prevent fatigue and maintain CPR quality.
What is the recommended compression rate for high-quality CPR?
(ACLS) Certification Exam 2026
Which quality improvement component of systems of care best describes the capture and review
of data related to resuscitation education, processes, and outcomes?
A. Structure
B. Process
C. Measurement
D. Outcome
Correct Answer: Measurement
Explanation: Measurement involves the systematic capture and review of data on resuscitation
education, processes of care, and patient outcomes to identify opportunities for improvement.
Which one of the following is an interdependent component of systems of care?
A. Structure
B. Process
C. Patient outcome
D. Feedback
Correct Answer: Structure
Explanation: Structure (e.g., resources, equipment, trained personnel) is one of the
interdependent components of a system of care, along with process and outcome.
Which is the max interval you should allow for an interruption in chest compressions?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 15 seconds
D. 20 seconds
Correct Answer: 10 seconds
,Explanation: Interruptions in chest compressions should be limited to no more than 10 seconds
to maintain high chest compression fraction and coronary perfusion pressure.
What is an effect of excessive ventilation?
A. Increased venous return
B. Decreased cardiac output
C. Improved oxygenation
D. Increased coronary perfusion
Correct Answer: Decreased cardiac output
Explanation: Excessive ventilation increases intrathoracic pressure, which decreases venous
return to the heart and reduces cardiac output.
What is the recommended next step after a defibrillation attempt?
A. Check rhythm immediately
B. Give a vasopressor
C. Resume CPR, starting with chest compressions
D. Perform a pulse check
Correct Answer: Resume CPR, starting with chest compressions
Explanation: After defibrillation, immediately resume high-quality CPR (starting with
compressions) for 2 minutes before pausing to check rhythm or pulse.
How does complete chest recoil contribute to effective CPR?
A. Increases compression depth
B. Allows maximum blood return to the heart
C. Reduces rescuer fatigue
D. Improves ventilation
Correct Answer: Allows maximum blood return to the heart
Explanation: Allowing full chest recoil between compressions permits the heart to refill with
blood, improving venous return and cardiac output.
What is an advantage of a systematic approach to patient assessment?
A. Speeds up the assessment
,B. Reduces the chance of missing important signs and symptoms
C. Eliminates the need for a secondary assessment
D. Allows skipping the initial impression
Correct Answer: Reduces the chance of missing important signs and symptoms
Explanation: A systematic approach ensures a thorough evaluation and minimizes the risk of
overlooking critical findings.
What is the first step in the systematic approach to patient assessment?
A. Primary assessment
B. Initial impression
C. Secondary assessment
D. Vital signs
Correct Answer: Initial impression
Explanation: The first step is forming a rapid initial impression (appearance, work of breathing,
circulation) to determine if the patient is sick or not sick.
Which action is part of the secondary assessment of a conscious patient?
A. Performing a pulse check
B. Formulate a differential diagnosis
C. Immediate defibrillation
D. Giving oxygen
Correct Answer: Formulate a differential diagnosis
Explanation: The secondary assessment includes a focused history, physical exam, and
formulating a differential diagnosis to guide treatment.
Which is one of the H's and T's that represent a potentially reversible cause of cardiac arrest and
other emergency cardiopulmonary conditions?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Hypothermia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocapnia
, Correct Answer: Hypothermia
Explanation: Hypothermia is one of the reversible causes (H’s and T’s) that should be identified
and treated during cardiac arrest.
What should be the primary focus of the CPR Coach on a resuscitation team?
A. Documenting the code
B. To ensure high quality CPR
C. Managing medications
D. Leading the team
Correct Answer: To ensure high quality CPR
Explanation: The CPR Coach’s main role is to provide real-time feedback to optimize the
quality of chest compressions and ventilations.
The CPR Coach Role can be blended into which of the following roles?
A. Team leader
B. Airway manager
C. The monitor/defibrillator
D. Medication administrator
Correct Answer: The monitor/defibrillator
Explanation: The CPR Coach role is often combined with the monitor/defibrillator role because
this person has a good view of the quality of CPR.
Which of the following is a responsibility of the CPR coach?
A. Giving medications
B. Coordinating compressor switches
C. Performing intubation
D. Charging the defibrillator
Correct Answer: Coordinating compressor switches
Explanation: The CPR Coach helps coordinate timely compressor switches (every 2 minutes) to
prevent fatigue and maintain CPR quality.
What is the recommended compression rate for high-quality CPR?
