ACLS Exam 2025 – 2026 VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS,
DETAILED WITH A STUDY GUIDE AT
THE END
1. Which type of atrioventricular block best describes this rhythm?
a. First-degree
b. Second-degree type I
c. Second-degree type II
d. Third-degree
c. Second-degree type II
2. Your patient is in cardiac arrest and has been intubated. To assess CPR quality, which should
you do?
a. Monitor the patient's PETCO 2
b. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
c. Check the patient's pulse
d. Obtain a chest x-ray
a. Monitor the patient's PETCO 2
3. Which facility is the most appropriate EMS destination for a patient with sudden cardiac arrest
who achieved return of spontaneous circulation in the fleld?
a. Comprehensive stroke care unit
b. Acute rehabilitation care unit
c. Acute long-term care unit
d. Coronary reperfusion-capable medical center
d. Coronary reperfusion-capable medical center
4 Which of the following signs is a likely indicator of cardiac arrest in an unresponsive patient?
a. Slow, weak pulse rate
b. Cyanosis
c. Agonal gasps
d. Irregular, weak pulse rate
c. Agonal gasps
,5. Which type of atrioventricular block best describes this rhythm?
a. Third-degree atrioventricular block
b. Second-degree atrioventricular block type I
c. First-degree atrioventricular block
d. Second-degree atrioventricular block type II
b. Second-degree atrioventricular block type I
To property ventilate a patient with a perfusing rhythm, how often do you squeeze the bag?
A. Once every 3 to 4 seconds
B. Once every 5 to 6 seconds
C. Once every 10 seconds
D. Once every 12 seconds
B. Once every 5 to 6 seconds
In addition to clinical assessment, which is the most reliable method to confirm and monitor
correct placement of an endotracheal tube?
a. Arterial blood gases
b. Chest radiography
c. Continuous waveform capnography
d. Hemoglobin levels
c. Continuous waveform capnography
8. You are caring for a patient with a suspected stroke whose symptoms started 2 hours ago. The
CT scan was normal, with no signs of hemorrhage. The patient does not have any
contraindications to fibrinolytic therapy. Which treatment approach is best for this patient?
a. Hold fibrinolytic therapy for 24 hours
b. Start fibrinolytic therapy as soon as possible
c. Order an echocardiogram before fibrinolytic administration
d. Wait for the results of the MRI
b. Start fibrinolytic therapy as soon as possible
Which best describes this rhythm?
a. First-degree atrioventricular block
b. Second-degree atrioventricular block type I
c. Second-degree atrioventricular block type II
d. Third-degree atrioventricular block
d. Third-degree atrioventricular block
10. What is the recommended range from which a temperature should be selected and maintained
constantly to achieve targeted temperature management after cardiac arrest?
, a. 26°C to 28°C
b. 29°C to 31°C
c. 32°C to 36°C
c. 32°C to 36°C
11. Which is the recommended first intravenous dose of amiodarone for a patient with refractory
ventricular fibrillation?
a. 100 mg
b. 150 mg
c. 250 mg
d. 300 mg
d. 300 mg
Which is the primary purpose of a medical emergency team or rapid response team?
a. Improving care for patients admitted to critical care units
b. Improving patient outcomes by identifying and treating early clinical deterioration
c. Providing diagnostic consultation to emergency department patients
d. Providing online consultation to EMS personnel in the field
b. Improving patient outcomes by identifying and treating early clinical deterioration
13. Which is the recommended next step after a defibrillation attempt?
a. Check the ECG for evidence of a rhythm
b. Open the patient's airway
c. Determine if a carotid pulse is present
d. Resume CPR, starting with chest compressions
d. Resume CPR, starting with chest compressions
14, EMS providers are treating a patient with suspected stroke. According to the Adult Suspected
Stroke Algorithm, which critical action performed by the EMS team will expedite this patient's
care on arrival and reduce the time to treatment?
a. Alert the hospital
b. Establish IV access
c. Review the patient's history
d. Treat hypertension
a. Alert the hospital
15. A responder is caring for a patient with a history of congestive heart failure. The patient is
experiencing shortness of breath, a blood pressure of 68/50 mm Hg, and a heart rate of 190/min.
The patent's lead il ECG is displayed here. Which best characterizes this patient's rhythm?
a. Perfusing ventricular tachycardia
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS,
DETAILED WITH A STUDY GUIDE AT
THE END
1. Which type of atrioventricular block best describes this rhythm?
a. First-degree
b. Second-degree type I
c. Second-degree type II
d. Third-degree
c. Second-degree type II
2. Your patient is in cardiac arrest and has been intubated. To assess CPR quality, which should
you do?
a. Monitor the patient's PETCO 2
b. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
c. Check the patient's pulse
d. Obtain a chest x-ray
a. Monitor the patient's PETCO 2
3. Which facility is the most appropriate EMS destination for a patient with sudden cardiac arrest
who achieved return of spontaneous circulation in the fleld?
a. Comprehensive stroke care unit
b. Acute rehabilitation care unit
c. Acute long-term care unit
d. Coronary reperfusion-capable medical center
d. Coronary reperfusion-capable medical center
4 Which of the following signs is a likely indicator of cardiac arrest in an unresponsive patient?
a. Slow, weak pulse rate
b. Cyanosis
c. Agonal gasps
d. Irregular, weak pulse rate
c. Agonal gasps
,5. Which type of atrioventricular block best describes this rhythm?
a. Third-degree atrioventricular block
b. Second-degree atrioventricular block type I
c. First-degree atrioventricular block
d. Second-degree atrioventricular block type II
b. Second-degree atrioventricular block type I
To property ventilate a patient with a perfusing rhythm, how often do you squeeze the bag?
A. Once every 3 to 4 seconds
B. Once every 5 to 6 seconds
C. Once every 10 seconds
D. Once every 12 seconds
B. Once every 5 to 6 seconds
In addition to clinical assessment, which is the most reliable method to confirm and monitor
correct placement of an endotracheal tube?
a. Arterial blood gases
b. Chest radiography
c. Continuous waveform capnography
d. Hemoglobin levels
c. Continuous waveform capnography
8. You are caring for a patient with a suspected stroke whose symptoms started 2 hours ago. The
CT scan was normal, with no signs of hemorrhage. The patient does not have any
contraindications to fibrinolytic therapy. Which treatment approach is best for this patient?
a. Hold fibrinolytic therapy for 24 hours
b. Start fibrinolytic therapy as soon as possible
c. Order an echocardiogram before fibrinolytic administration
d. Wait for the results of the MRI
b. Start fibrinolytic therapy as soon as possible
Which best describes this rhythm?
a. First-degree atrioventricular block
b. Second-degree atrioventricular block type I
c. Second-degree atrioventricular block type II
d. Third-degree atrioventricular block
d. Third-degree atrioventricular block
10. What is the recommended range from which a temperature should be selected and maintained
constantly to achieve targeted temperature management after cardiac arrest?
, a. 26°C to 28°C
b. 29°C to 31°C
c. 32°C to 36°C
c. 32°C to 36°C
11. Which is the recommended first intravenous dose of amiodarone for a patient with refractory
ventricular fibrillation?
a. 100 mg
b. 150 mg
c. 250 mg
d. 300 mg
d. 300 mg
Which is the primary purpose of a medical emergency team or rapid response team?
a. Improving care for patients admitted to critical care units
b. Improving patient outcomes by identifying and treating early clinical deterioration
c. Providing diagnostic consultation to emergency department patients
d. Providing online consultation to EMS personnel in the field
b. Improving patient outcomes by identifying and treating early clinical deterioration
13. Which is the recommended next step after a defibrillation attempt?
a. Check the ECG for evidence of a rhythm
b. Open the patient's airway
c. Determine if a carotid pulse is present
d. Resume CPR, starting with chest compressions
d. Resume CPR, starting with chest compressions
14, EMS providers are treating a patient with suspected stroke. According to the Adult Suspected
Stroke Algorithm, which critical action performed by the EMS team will expedite this patient's
care on arrival and reduce the time to treatment?
a. Alert the hospital
b. Establish IV access
c. Review the patient's history
d. Treat hypertension
a. Alert the hospital
15. A responder is caring for a patient with a history of congestive heart failure. The patient is
experiencing shortness of breath, a blood pressure of 68/50 mm Hg, and a heart rate of 190/min.
The patent's lead il ECG is displayed here. Which best characterizes this patient's rhythm?
a. Perfusing ventricular tachycardia
