RQI 2025 ACLS HEALTHCARE PROVIDER ACTUAL EXAM
LATEST QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) |AGRADE
Question 1
During an adult cardiac arrest, what is the recommended compression-to-
ventilation ratio for single-rescuer CPR?
A) 15 compressions to 2 ventilations
B) 30 compressions to 2 ventilations
C) Continuous compressions with passive ventilation
D) 100 compressions to 2 ventilations
E) 5 compressions to 1 ventilation
Correct Answer: B) 30 compressions to 2 ventilations
Rationale: For adult single-rescuer (and two-rescuer) CPR, the
recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio is 30 compressions
followed by 2 ventilations.
Question 2
A patient is in cardiac arrest, and the AED advises a shock. After delivering
the shock, what is the immediate next action?
A) Check for a pulse.
B) Resume chest compressions immediately.
C) Administer epinephrine.
D) Check the patient's airway.
E) Wait for 2 minutes before resuming compressions.
Correct Answer: B) Resume chest compressions immediately.
Rationale: Following an AED shock, chest compressions should be
resumed immediately for 2 minutes (one CPR cycle) without delay
for pulse check, to maximize coronary perfusion.
Question 3
Which of the following is the first priority when a patient is found
unresponsive?
A) Assess for breathing and pulse.
B) Call for help/activate emergency response.
C) Administer chest compressions.
D) Open the airway.
E) Check for responsiveness.
Correct Answer: E) Check for responsiveness.
Rationale: The very first step when encountering a potentially
unresponsive individual is to assess for responsiveness by tapping
and shouting. This determines if further emergency actions are
needed.
,Question 4
A patient in cardiac arrest has a non-shockable rhythm (asystole). After
initiating CPR, which medication should be administered?
A) Amiodarone
B) Adenosine
C) Epinephrine
D) Atropine
E) Lidocaine
Correct Answer: C) Epinephrine
Rationale: For non-shockable rhythms (asystole and pulseless
electrical activity - PEA), epinephrine is the primary vasopressor
administered as soon as possible after initiating CPR to improve
coronary and cerebral perfusion.
Question 5
What is the recommended dose of epinephrine for adult cardiac arrest?
A) 0.1 mg IV/IO
B) 0.5 mg IV/IO
C) 1 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes
D) 2 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes
E) 10 mg IV/IO once
Correct Answer: C) 1 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes
Rationale: The standard dose of epinephrine for adult cardiac arrest
(both shockable and non-shockable rhythms) is 1 mg administered
intravenously (IV) or intraosseously (IO) every 3 to 5 minutes during
resuscitation efforts.
Question 6
A patient in cardiac arrest is found to be in ventricular fibrillation (VF). After
the first unsuccessful defibrillation attempt, what is the immediate next
action?
A) Administer Amiodarone.
B) Check for a pulse.
C) Resume chest compressions immediately.
D) Administer Epinephrine.
E) Ventilate with 100% oxygen.
Correct Answer: C) Resume chest compressions immediately.
Rationale: After any defibrillation attempt (whether successful or
unsuccessful), chest compressions should be immediately resumed
for 2 minutes (one CPR cycle) to minimize "hands-off" time and
maximize myocardial perfusion.
,Question 7
What is the recommended depth of chest compressions for an adult?
A) At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B) At least 1.5 inches (3.8 cm)
C) At least 2 inches (5 cm)
D) At least 2.4 inches (6 cm)
E) No more than 3 inches (7.6 cm)
Correct Answer: C) At least 2 inches (5 cm)
Rationale: High-quality chest compressions for adults should be at
least 2 inches (5 cm) deep but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm),
allowing for full chest recoil.
Question 8
During a cardiac arrest resuscitation, what is the maximum recommended
interruption time for chest compressions?
A) Less than 5 seconds.
B) Less than 10 seconds.
C) Less than 15 seconds.
D) Less than 20 seconds.
E) Less than 30 seconds.
Correct Answer: B) Less than 10 seconds.
Rationale: Minimizing interruptions in chest compressions is critical
for maintaining coronary and cerebral perfusion. Interruptions
should be kept to an absolute minimum, ideally less than 10
seconds, for rhythm analysis, defibrillation, or airway procedures.
Question 9
Which of the following rhythms is shockable according to ACLS guidelines?
A) Asystole
B) Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)
C) Sinus Bradycardia
D) Ventricular Fibrillation (VF)
E) Sinus Tachycardia
Correct Answer: D) Ventricular Fibrillation (VF)
Rationale: Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) and pulseless Ventricular
Tachycardia (pVT) are the two shockable rhythms in cardiac arrest.
Asystole and PEA are non-shockable.
Question 10
After successful defibrillation, a patient regains a pulse but remains
unresponsive. What is the immediate post-cardiac arrest intervention?
, A) Administer additional antiarrhythmics.
B) Focus on targeted temperature management (TTM).
C) Obtain a detailed medical history.
D) Perform a secondary assessment.
E) Administer more shocks.
Correct Answer: B) Focus on targeted temperature management
(TTM).
Rationale: For patients who achieve Return of Spontaneous
Circulation (ROSC) but remain unresponsive, targeted temperature
management (maintaining a core body temperature between 32°C
and 36°C) is a crucial intervention to improve neurological outcome.
Question 11
What is the recommended ventilation rate for an adult with a pulse
but without effective breathing?
A) 1 breath every 3-5 seconds (12-20 breaths/min).
B) 1 breath every 5-6 seconds (10-12 breaths/min).
C) 1 breath every 8-10 seconds (6-8 breaths/min).
D) 2 breaths every 15 seconds.
E) Continuous positive pressure ventilation.
Correct Answer: B) 1 breath every 5-6 seconds (10-12 breaths/min).
Rationale: For an adult in respiratory arrest with a pulse, rescue
breaths should be delivered at a rate of 1 breath every 5 to 6
seconds (approximately 10-12 breaths per minute), ensuring visible
chest rise.
Question 12
Which of the following is a common reversible cause of cardiac arrest (one of
the "Hs" or "Ts")?
A) Hypertension
B) Hyperglycemia
C) Hypovolemia
D) Hyperthyroidism
E) Hypotension
Correct Answer: C) Hypovolemia
Rationale: Hypovolemia (insufficient blood volume) is one of the "Hs"
(hypovolemia, hypoxia, hydrogen ion (acidosis), hypo/hyperkalemia,
hypothermia) that are common, reversible causes of cardiac arrest.
Question 13
A patient presents with unstable tachycardia (HR 160 bpm, hypotensive,
LATEST QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) |AGRADE
Question 1
During an adult cardiac arrest, what is the recommended compression-to-
ventilation ratio for single-rescuer CPR?
A) 15 compressions to 2 ventilations
B) 30 compressions to 2 ventilations
C) Continuous compressions with passive ventilation
D) 100 compressions to 2 ventilations
E) 5 compressions to 1 ventilation
Correct Answer: B) 30 compressions to 2 ventilations
Rationale: For adult single-rescuer (and two-rescuer) CPR, the
recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio is 30 compressions
followed by 2 ventilations.
Question 2
A patient is in cardiac arrest, and the AED advises a shock. After delivering
the shock, what is the immediate next action?
A) Check for a pulse.
B) Resume chest compressions immediately.
C) Administer epinephrine.
D) Check the patient's airway.
E) Wait for 2 minutes before resuming compressions.
Correct Answer: B) Resume chest compressions immediately.
Rationale: Following an AED shock, chest compressions should be
resumed immediately for 2 minutes (one CPR cycle) without delay
for pulse check, to maximize coronary perfusion.
Question 3
Which of the following is the first priority when a patient is found
unresponsive?
A) Assess for breathing and pulse.
B) Call for help/activate emergency response.
C) Administer chest compressions.
D) Open the airway.
E) Check for responsiveness.
Correct Answer: E) Check for responsiveness.
Rationale: The very first step when encountering a potentially
unresponsive individual is to assess for responsiveness by tapping
and shouting. This determines if further emergency actions are
needed.
,Question 4
A patient in cardiac arrest has a non-shockable rhythm (asystole). After
initiating CPR, which medication should be administered?
A) Amiodarone
B) Adenosine
C) Epinephrine
D) Atropine
E) Lidocaine
Correct Answer: C) Epinephrine
Rationale: For non-shockable rhythms (asystole and pulseless
electrical activity - PEA), epinephrine is the primary vasopressor
administered as soon as possible after initiating CPR to improve
coronary and cerebral perfusion.
Question 5
What is the recommended dose of epinephrine for adult cardiac arrest?
A) 0.1 mg IV/IO
B) 0.5 mg IV/IO
C) 1 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes
D) 2 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes
E) 10 mg IV/IO once
Correct Answer: C) 1 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes
Rationale: The standard dose of epinephrine for adult cardiac arrest
(both shockable and non-shockable rhythms) is 1 mg administered
intravenously (IV) or intraosseously (IO) every 3 to 5 minutes during
resuscitation efforts.
Question 6
A patient in cardiac arrest is found to be in ventricular fibrillation (VF). After
the first unsuccessful defibrillation attempt, what is the immediate next
action?
A) Administer Amiodarone.
B) Check for a pulse.
C) Resume chest compressions immediately.
D) Administer Epinephrine.
E) Ventilate with 100% oxygen.
Correct Answer: C) Resume chest compressions immediately.
Rationale: After any defibrillation attempt (whether successful or
unsuccessful), chest compressions should be immediately resumed
for 2 minutes (one CPR cycle) to minimize "hands-off" time and
maximize myocardial perfusion.
,Question 7
What is the recommended depth of chest compressions for an adult?
A) At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B) At least 1.5 inches (3.8 cm)
C) At least 2 inches (5 cm)
D) At least 2.4 inches (6 cm)
E) No more than 3 inches (7.6 cm)
Correct Answer: C) At least 2 inches (5 cm)
Rationale: High-quality chest compressions for adults should be at
least 2 inches (5 cm) deep but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm),
allowing for full chest recoil.
Question 8
During a cardiac arrest resuscitation, what is the maximum recommended
interruption time for chest compressions?
A) Less than 5 seconds.
B) Less than 10 seconds.
C) Less than 15 seconds.
D) Less than 20 seconds.
E) Less than 30 seconds.
Correct Answer: B) Less than 10 seconds.
Rationale: Minimizing interruptions in chest compressions is critical
for maintaining coronary and cerebral perfusion. Interruptions
should be kept to an absolute minimum, ideally less than 10
seconds, for rhythm analysis, defibrillation, or airway procedures.
Question 9
Which of the following rhythms is shockable according to ACLS guidelines?
A) Asystole
B) Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)
C) Sinus Bradycardia
D) Ventricular Fibrillation (VF)
E) Sinus Tachycardia
Correct Answer: D) Ventricular Fibrillation (VF)
Rationale: Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) and pulseless Ventricular
Tachycardia (pVT) are the two shockable rhythms in cardiac arrest.
Asystole and PEA are non-shockable.
Question 10
After successful defibrillation, a patient regains a pulse but remains
unresponsive. What is the immediate post-cardiac arrest intervention?
, A) Administer additional antiarrhythmics.
B) Focus on targeted temperature management (TTM).
C) Obtain a detailed medical history.
D) Perform a secondary assessment.
E) Administer more shocks.
Correct Answer: B) Focus on targeted temperature management
(TTM).
Rationale: For patients who achieve Return of Spontaneous
Circulation (ROSC) but remain unresponsive, targeted temperature
management (maintaining a core body temperature between 32°C
and 36°C) is a crucial intervention to improve neurological outcome.
Question 11
What is the recommended ventilation rate for an adult with a pulse
but without effective breathing?
A) 1 breath every 3-5 seconds (12-20 breaths/min).
B) 1 breath every 5-6 seconds (10-12 breaths/min).
C) 1 breath every 8-10 seconds (6-8 breaths/min).
D) 2 breaths every 15 seconds.
E) Continuous positive pressure ventilation.
Correct Answer: B) 1 breath every 5-6 seconds (10-12 breaths/min).
Rationale: For an adult in respiratory arrest with a pulse, rescue
breaths should be delivered at a rate of 1 breath every 5 to 6
seconds (approximately 10-12 breaths per minute), ensuring visible
chest rise.
Question 12
Which of the following is a common reversible cause of cardiac arrest (one of
the "Hs" or "Ts")?
A) Hypertension
B) Hyperglycemia
C) Hypovolemia
D) Hyperthyroidism
E) Hypotension
Correct Answer: C) Hypovolemia
Rationale: Hypovolemia (insufficient blood volume) is one of the "Hs"
(hypovolemia, hypoxia, hydrogen ion (acidosis), hypo/hyperkalemia,
hypothermia) that are common, reversible causes of cardiac arrest.
Question 13
A patient presents with unstable tachycardia (HR 160 bpm, hypotensive,
