ACLS EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
What should be done to minimize interruptions in chest compressions during CPR? - Continue
CPR while the defibrillator is charging
Which condition is an indication to stop or with-hold resuscitative efforts? - Safety threat to
providers
After verifying unresponsiveness and abnormal breathing, you activate the emergency response
team. What is your next action? - Check for a pulse
What is the recommendation on the use of cricoid pressure to prevent aspiration during cardiac
arrest? - Not recommended for routine use
What survival advantages does CPR provide to a patient in ventricular fibrillation? - Produces a
small amount of blood flow to the heart
What is the recommended compression rate for performing CPR? - At least 100 per minute
A patient remains in ventricular fibrillation despite 1 shock and 2 minutes of continuous CPR.
The next intervention is to - Administer a second shock
What is the recommended next step after a defibrillation attempt? - Begin CPR, starting with
chest compressions
Which of the following is the recommended first choice for establishing intravenous access
during the attempted resuscitation of a patient in cardiac arrest? - Antecubital vein
What is the recommended first intravenous dose of amiodarone for a patient with refractory
ventricular fibrillation? - 300 mg
IV/IO drug administration during CPR should be - given rapidly during compressions
How often should the team leader switch chest compressors during a resuscitation attempt? -
Every 2 minutes
Which finding is a sign of ineffective CPR? - PETCO2 <10 mm hg
A team leader orders 1 mg of epinephrine, and a team member verbally acknowledges when the
medication is administered. What element of effective resuscitation team dynamics does this
represent? - Closed-loop communication
ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
What should be done to minimize interruptions in chest compressions during CPR? - Continue
CPR while the defibrillator is charging
Which condition is an indication to stop or with-hold resuscitative efforts? - Safety threat to
providers
After verifying unresponsiveness and abnormal breathing, you activate the emergency response
team. What is your next action? - Check for a pulse
What is the recommendation on the use of cricoid pressure to prevent aspiration during cardiac
arrest? - Not recommended for routine use
What survival advantages does CPR provide to a patient in ventricular fibrillation? - Produces a
small amount of blood flow to the heart
What is the recommended compression rate for performing CPR? - At least 100 per minute
A patient remains in ventricular fibrillation despite 1 shock and 2 minutes of continuous CPR.
The next intervention is to - Administer a second shock
What is the recommended next step after a defibrillation attempt? - Begin CPR, starting with
chest compressions
Which of the following is the recommended first choice for establishing intravenous access
during the attempted resuscitation of a patient in cardiac arrest? - Antecubital vein
What is the recommended first intravenous dose of amiodarone for a patient with refractory
ventricular fibrillation? - 300 mg
IV/IO drug administration during CPR should be - given rapidly during compressions
How often should the team leader switch chest compressors during a resuscitation attempt? -
Every 2 minutes
Which finding is a sign of ineffective CPR? - PETCO2 <10 mm hg
A team leader orders 1 mg of epinephrine, and a team member verbally acknowledges when the
medication is administered. What element of effective resuscitation team dynamics does this
represent? - Closed-loop communication
