ACLS Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ACLS facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What does a risk matrix assess? → The probability and impact of identified risks
2. What is the primary purpose of industry regulations in this field? → To protect the public and ensure consistent professional standards
3. What is the primary sign of gastric inflation during bag-mask ventilation? → Increasing abdominal distension
4. When applying core principles in practice, what should be the first consideration? → Safety and compliance with established standards
5. What is the proper way to correct an error in professional documentation? → Draw a single line through the error, initial, date, and write the correction
6. What should be the first action when a new regulation is enacted that affects your practice? → Review the regulation, assess its impact, and develop an implementation plan
7. What is the Sellick maneuver and its purpose during endotracheal intubation? → Backward pressure on the cricoid to occlude the esophagus and reduce aspiration risk
8. What is the primary role of a team leader? → To guide, support, and enable team members to achieve shared objectives
9. What is the recommended post-ROSC oxygen saturation target to avoid both hypoxia and hyperoxia? → 94-99%
10. Which supraglottic airway device is an acceptable alternative to endotracheal intubation in ACLS for providers not skilled in laryngoscopy? → Laryngeal mask airway (LMA)
11. Once an advanced airway is secured during CPR, what is the recommended ventilation rate? → 1 breath every 6 seconds (10/min)
12. What is the purpose of setting SMART goals in strategic planning? → To create goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound
13. What is active listening in a professional context? → Fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what is being said
14. How often should compliance procedures be reviewed and updated? → Regularly, and whenever regulations change or new risks are identified
15. A narrow-complex tachycardia at 160 bpm begins and terminates abruptly. Which rhythm does this pattern best describe? → Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)
16. When administering adenosine to a patient receiving theophylline, which adjustment is necessary? → Increase the adenosine dose as theophylline antagonizes it
17. What are the key characteristics of effective documentation? → Accurate, complete, timely, legible, and objective
18. Which vasopressor can be used as an alternative to epinephrine during cardiac arrest per ACLS guidelines? → Vasopressin
19. What is the maximum recommended duration of a single endotracheal intubation attempt before resuming ventilation? → 10 seconds
20. What is the foundation of professional ethics in this field? → Acting in the best interest of stakeholders while maintaining integrity
21. What is the significance of user training in technology implementation? → It maximizes the return on technology investment by ensuring effective utilization
22. Which lead is most useful for identifying P waves and distinguishing atrial arrhythmias in ACLS monitoring? → Lead II or V1
23. What is the role of benchmarking in establishing best practices? → Comparing performance against top performers to identify improvement opportunities
24. When waveform capnography is unavailable, what is the next best method to confirm ETT placement? → Colorimetric CO2 detector
25. What is the first phase of strategic planning? → Environmental analysis and assessment of current position
26. What is an audit trail in the context of documentation? → A chronological record that allows tracing of changes and decisions back to their source
27. Sodium bicarbonate administration during cardiac arrest is most appropriate in which situation? → Hyperkalemia-induced cardiac arrest
28. Which calcium channel blocker is preferred for IV administration in stable supraventricular tachycardia per ACLS? → Verapamil
29. What is the first step in the risk management process? → Risk identification — recognizing potential threats and vulnerabilities
30. What is a dashboard in the context of data reporting? → A visual display that consolidates key metrics and indicators in real-time