AHA PALS Exam Questions & Answers
2024/2025 (Verified 100% Correct)
1. **Question:** What is the first step when you find an unresponsive adult?
- **Answer:** Check the scene for safety, then check for responsiveness.
2. **Question:** What is the recommended depth of chest compressions for an adult during
CPR?
- **Answer:** At least 2 inches (5 cm).
3. **Question:** How many chest compressions per minute should be delivered during CPR?
- **Answer:** 100-120 compressions per minute.
4. **Question:** What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer performing
CPR on an adult?
- **Answer:** 30:2
5. **Question:** After how many minutes of rescue breathing should you recheck the pulse in an
adult victim who has a pulse but is not breathing?
- **Answer:** Every 2 minutes.
6. **Question:** When should you use an automated external defibrillator (AED) on an adult?
- **Answer:** As soon as it is available.
7. **Question:** Where should you place the hands for chest compressions on an adult?
- **Answer:** The lower half of the sternum, in the center of the chest.
8. **Question:** What should you do if you witness a cardiac arrest and are alone with an adult
victim?
- **Answer:** Call for help, then begin CPR starting with chest compressions.
9. **Question:** How do you know if your breaths are effective during CPR?
- **Answer:** The chest should visibly rise with each breath.
10. **Question:** What is the recommended hand position for compressions on an infant during
CPR?
- **Answer:** Two fingers in the center of the chest, just below the nipple line.
### Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
, 11. **Question:** What is the first drug typically given during a cardiac arrest due to ventricular
fibrillation?
- **Answer:** Epinephrine.
12. **Question:** What is the recommended dose of epinephrine during cardiac arrest?
- **Answer:** 1 mg every 3-5 minutes.
13. **Question:** What is the first-line treatment for stable narrow-complex supraventricular
tachycardia (SVT)?
- **Answer:** Vagal maneuvers.
14. **Question:** Which medication is used as an antiarrhythmic during ACLS for a patient in
ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation?
- **Answer:** Amiodarone.
15. **Question:** What is the initial recommended energy setting for defibrillation in adults using
a biphasic defibrillator?
- **Answer:** 120-200 joules.
16. **Question:** What is the primary purpose of rapid defibrillation in the ACLS algorithm?
- **Answer:** To restore a perfusing rhythm.
17. **Question:** What is the recommended post-resuscitation care for a patient who has
achieved return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC)?
- **Answer:** Optimize ventilation and oxygenation, treat hypotension, and consider targeted
temperature management.
18. **Question:** What is the recommended rate of breaths per minute during advanced airway
management in ACLS?
- **Answer:** 10 breaths per minute.
19. **Question:** When should you administer atropine during ACLS?
- **Answer:** Atropine is administered for symptomatic bradycardia.
20. **Question:** What is the recommended dose of atropine for symptomatic bradycardia?
- **Answer:** 0.5 mg IV every 3-5 minutes, up to a maximum of 3 mg.
### Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
21. **Question:** What is the first step when assessing a pediatric patient in respiratory
distress?
- **Answer:** Ensure airway patency.
22. **Question:** What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for two-rescuer CPR on an infant?
2024/2025 (Verified 100% Correct)
1. **Question:** What is the first step when you find an unresponsive adult?
- **Answer:** Check the scene for safety, then check for responsiveness.
2. **Question:** What is the recommended depth of chest compressions for an adult during
CPR?
- **Answer:** At least 2 inches (5 cm).
3. **Question:** How many chest compressions per minute should be delivered during CPR?
- **Answer:** 100-120 compressions per minute.
4. **Question:** What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer performing
CPR on an adult?
- **Answer:** 30:2
5. **Question:** After how many minutes of rescue breathing should you recheck the pulse in an
adult victim who has a pulse but is not breathing?
- **Answer:** Every 2 minutes.
6. **Question:** When should you use an automated external defibrillator (AED) on an adult?
- **Answer:** As soon as it is available.
7. **Question:** Where should you place the hands for chest compressions on an adult?
- **Answer:** The lower half of the sternum, in the center of the chest.
8. **Question:** What should you do if you witness a cardiac arrest and are alone with an adult
victim?
- **Answer:** Call for help, then begin CPR starting with chest compressions.
9. **Question:** How do you know if your breaths are effective during CPR?
- **Answer:** The chest should visibly rise with each breath.
10. **Question:** What is the recommended hand position for compressions on an infant during
CPR?
- **Answer:** Two fingers in the center of the chest, just below the nipple line.
### Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
, 11. **Question:** What is the first drug typically given during a cardiac arrest due to ventricular
fibrillation?
- **Answer:** Epinephrine.
12. **Question:** What is the recommended dose of epinephrine during cardiac arrest?
- **Answer:** 1 mg every 3-5 minutes.
13. **Question:** What is the first-line treatment for stable narrow-complex supraventricular
tachycardia (SVT)?
- **Answer:** Vagal maneuvers.
14. **Question:** Which medication is used as an antiarrhythmic during ACLS for a patient in
ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation?
- **Answer:** Amiodarone.
15. **Question:** What is the initial recommended energy setting for defibrillation in adults using
a biphasic defibrillator?
- **Answer:** 120-200 joules.
16. **Question:** What is the primary purpose of rapid defibrillation in the ACLS algorithm?
- **Answer:** To restore a perfusing rhythm.
17. **Question:** What is the recommended post-resuscitation care for a patient who has
achieved return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC)?
- **Answer:** Optimize ventilation and oxygenation, treat hypotension, and consider targeted
temperature management.
18. **Question:** What is the recommended rate of breaths per minute during advanced airway
management in ACLS?
- **Answer:** 10 breaths per minute.
19. **Question:** When should you administer atropine during ACLS?
- **Answer:** Atropine is administered for symptomatic bradycardia.
20. **Question:** What is the recommended dose of atropine for symptomatic bradycardia?
- **Answer:** 0.5 mg IV every 3-5 minutes, up to a maximum of 3 mg.
### Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
21. **Question:** What is the first step when assessing a pediatric patient in respiratory
distress?
- **Answer:** Ensure airway patency.
22. **Question:** What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for two-rescuer CPR on an infant?
