ACLS Pretest Question Answers (Pharmacology) 2026

Last Updated on February 3, 2026

ACLS Pretest Question Answers (Pharmacology) 2026: Explore our comprehensive guide for the American Heart Association’s ACLS Pharmacology Pre-Test Questions and Answers. This resource provides detailed explanations and insights to help healthcare professionals prepare effectively for the ACLS certification.

Stay up to date on the latest protocols and drug information essential to life-saving cardiac care. It is ideal for medical students, nurses, and emergency responders seeking to enhance their pharmacology knowledge in line with AHA guidelines.

ACLS Pretest Question Answers

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Test Name	ACLS Pretest
Type of Question	Multiple Choice Question Answers
Subject	Pharmacology
Total Question	10
Test Type	Sample / Mock Test
Editable & Printable PDF / Doc	YES (Download link is given below)
Availability of Answers	YES
ACLS	Cardiac Life Support Exam

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Q1. Which of the following is most accurate regarding administering vasopressin during cardiac arrest?

A. Vasopressin is indicated for VF and pulseless VT prior to the delivery of the first shock
B. The correct dose of Vasopressin is 40 U administered IV or IO
C. Vasopressin is recommended instead of epinephrine for the treatment of asystole
D. Vasopressin can be administered twice during cardiac arrest

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Show Answers” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]Answer: B. The correct dose of Vasopressin is 40 U administered IV or IO[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Q2. Your patient has been intubated. IV/IO access is not available. Which combination of drugs can be administered by the endotracheal route of administration?

A. Amiodarone, lidocaine, epinephrine
B. Epinephrine, vasopressin, amiodarone
C. Lidocaine, epinephrine, vasopressin
D. Vasopressin, amiodarone, lidocaine

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Show Answers” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]Answer: C. Lidocaine, epinephrine, vasopressin[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Q3. Which of the following statements about the use of magnesium in cardiac arrest is most accurate?

A. Magnesium is indicated for VF/pulseless VT associated with torsades de pointes
B. Magnesium is indicated for shock-refractory monomorphic VT
C. Magnesium is contraindicated in VT associated with a normal QT interval
D. Magnesium is indicated for VF refractory to shock and amiodarone or lidocaine.

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Show Answers” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]Answer: A. Magnesium is indicated for VF/pulseless VT associated with torsades de pointes[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Q4. A patient with a possible acute coronary syndrome has ongoing chest discomfort unresponsive to 3 sublingual nitroglycerine tablets. There are no contraindications and 4 mg of morphine sulfate was administered. Shortly, BP falls to 88/60 and the patient complains of increased chest discomfort. You would:

A. Give an additional 2 mg of morphine sulfate
B. Start dopamine at 2 ụg/kg per minute and titrate to BP 100 systolic.
C. Give nitroglycerin 0.4 mg sublingually
D. Give normal saline 250 mL to 500 mL fluid bolus

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Show Answers” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]Answer: D. Give normal saline 250 mL to 500 mL fluid bolus[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Q5. A patient has a rapid irregular wide-complex tachycardia. The ventricular rate is 138. He is asymptomatic with a BP of 110/7-. He has a history of angina. Which of the following actions is recommended?

A. Give lidocaine 1-1.5 mg IV bolus
B. Immediate synchronized cardioversion
C. Seek expert consultation
D. Give adenosine 6 mg IV bolus

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Show Answers” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]Answer: C. Seek expert consultation[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Q6. A 62-year-old man suddenly began to experience difficulty speaking and left-sided weakness. He is brought to the ER. He meets initial criteria for fibrinolytic therapy and a CT scan of the brain is ordered. Guidelines for antiplatelet and antithrombotic therapy are:

A. Administer heparin if CT scan is negative for hemorrhage
B. Give aspirin 160 mg and clopidogrel 75 mg orally
C Administer aspirin 160-325 mg orally chewed, immediately
D. Do not give aspirin for at least 24 hours if tPA is administered

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Show Answers” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]Answer: D. Do not give aspirin for at least 24 hours if tPA is administered[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Q7. A patient is in cardiac arrest. VFib has been refractory to an initial shock. Two attempts at peripheral IV have been unsuccessful. The next recommended access route of administration for the delivery of drugs during CPR is:

A. External jugular vein
B. Femoral vein
C. Intraosseous
D. Endotracheal

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Show Answers” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]Answer: C. ntraosseous[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Q8. A patient with an ST-segment elevation MI has ongoing chest discomfort. Fibrinolytic therapy has been ordered. Heparin 4000 U IV bolus was administered and a heparin infusion 100 U per hour is being administered, and Aspirin was not taken by the patient because he had a history of gastritis treated 5 years ago. Your next action is to:

A. Substitute clopidogrel 300 mg loading dose
B. Give aspirin 160 – 325 mg chewed, immediately
C. Give 75 mg enteric-coated aspirin only
D. Give 325 mg enteric-coated aspiring rectally

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Show Answers” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]Answer: A. Substitute clopidogrel 300 mg loading dose[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Q9. A patient with possible ACS and a bradycardia of 42/min has ongoing chest discomfort. What is the initial dose of atropine?

A. Atropine 0.5 mg
B. Atropine 1.0 mg
C. Atropine 0.1 mg
D. Atropine 3 mg

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Show Answers” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]Answer: A. Atropine 0.5 mg[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

10. A patient is in cardiac arrest. VFib has been refractory to an initial shock. Of the following, which drug and dose should be administered first by IV/IO route?

A. Atropine 1 mg
B. Epinephrine 1 mg
C. Vasopressin 20 U
D. Sodium bicarbonate 50 mEq

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Show Answers” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]Answer: B. Epinephrine 1 mg[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Q11. A 35-year old woman has palpitations, lightheadedness, and a stable tachycardia. The monitor shows a
regular narrow-complex QRS at a rate of 180/min. Vagal maneuvers have not been effective in terminating
the rhythm. An IV has been established. What drug should be administered IV?

A. Epinephrine 2-10 ụg/kg per minute
B. Atropine 0.5 mg
C. Lidocaine 1 mg/kg
D. Adenosine 6 mg

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Show Answers” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]Answer: D. Adenosine 6 mg[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Q12. A patient with a possible ST-segment elevation MI has ongoing chest discomfort. Which of the following
would be a contraindication for administration of nitrates?

A. HR of 90/min
B. BP > 180 systolic
C. Use of phosphodiesterase inhibitor within 12 hours
D. Left ventricular infarct with bilateral rales

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Show Answers” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]Answer: C. Use of phosphodiesterase inhibitor within 12 hours[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Q13. A patient has sinus bradycardia with a rate of 36/min. Atropine has been administered to a total dose of 3
mg. TCP has failed to capture. The patient is confused and BP is 100/60. Which of the following is now
indicated?

A. give additional 1mg Atropine
B. Give NS bolus 250 mL-500mL
C. Start dopamine 10-20 ụg/kg per minute
D. Start epinephrine 2-10 ụg/min

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Show Answers” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]Answer: D. Start epinephrine 2-10 ụg/min [/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Q14. A patient is in pulseless VTach. Two shocks and one dose of epinephrine have been given. The next
drug/dose to anticipate to administer is:

A. Amiodarone 300 mg
B. Amiodarone 150 mg
C. Lidocaine 0.5 mg/kg
D. Epinephrine 3 mg

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Show Answers” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]Answer: A. Amiodarone 300 mg [/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Q15. A patient is in refractory VFib and has received multiple appropriate defibrillations, epinephrine 1 mg IV twice, and an initial dose of lidocaine IV. The patient is intubated. A second dose of lidocaine is now called for. The recommended second dose of lidocaine is:

A. 0.5-0.75 mg/kg IV push
B. 2-3 mg/kg IV push
C. Give endotracheal dose 2-4 mg/kg
D. 1 mg/kg IV push

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Show Answers” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]Answer: A. 0.5-0.75 mg/kg IV push [/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Q16. You arrive on-scene with the Code Team. High-quality CPR is in progress. An AED has previously advised “no shock indicated”. A rhythm now finds asystole. The next action you would take is to:

A. place a Combitube or Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA)
B. Attempt intubation with minimal CPR interruption
C. Call for a pulse check
D. Place IV or IO access

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Show Answers” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]Answer: D. Place IV or IO access [/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Q17. Which of the following is most accurate regarding the administration of vasopressin during cardiac arrest?

A. Vasopressin is indicated for VF and pulseless VT prior to the delivery of the first shock
B. Vasopressin can be administered twice during cardiac arrest
C. Vasopressin is recommended instead of epinephrine for the treatment of asystole
D. The correct dose of Vasopressin is 40 U administered IV or IO

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Show Answers” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]Answer: D. The correct dose of Vasopressin is 40 U administered IV or IO [/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Q18. A patient is in cardiac arrest. High-quality chest compression are being given. The patient is intubated and an IV has been established. The rhythm is asystole. The first drug/dose to administer is:

A. Epinephrine 1 mg or Vasopressin 40 U IV or IO
B. Epinephrine 3 mg via ETT
C. Dopamine 2 to 20 ụg/kg per minute IV or IO
D. Atropine 1 mg IV or IO

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Show Answers” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]Answer: A. Epinephrine 1 mg or Vasopressin 40 U IV or IO [/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Q19. A 57 year-old woman has palpitations, chest discomfort and tachycardia. The monitor shows a regular wide-complex QRS at a rate of 180.min. She becomes diaphoretic and BP is 80/60. The next action is to:

A. Obtain 12 lead ECG
B. Perform immediate synchronized cardioversion
C. Establish IV and give sedation for electrical cardioversion
D. Give amiodarone 300 mg IV push

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Show Answers” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]Answer: B. Perform immediate synchronized cardioversion [/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Q20. A patient is in refractory VFib. High-quality CPR is in progress and shocks have been given. One dose of epinephrine was given after the second shock. An antiarrhythmic drug was given immediately after the third shock. What drug should the team leader request to be prepared for administration?

A. Repeat the antiarrhythmic
B. Escalating dose epinephrine 3 mg
C. Second dose of epinephrine 1 mg
D. Sodium bicarbonate 50 mEq

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Show Answers” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]Answer: C. Second dose of epinephrine 1 mg [/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

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