Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Practice Exam 2025 - Free ACLS Practice Questions and Study Guide

In the context of the Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) algorithms, the rhythms that are considered shockable are ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia.

Ventricular fibrillation is characterized by erratic electrical activity in the heart, leading to ineffective quivering of the ventricles. This results in no coordinated heartbeat, causing the heart to be unable to pump blood effectively. Defibrillation is necessary to reset the heart's electrical activity and restore a normal rhythm.

Pulseless ventricular tachycardia is another critical rhythm where the heart beats at an abnormally fast rate, which is not effective enough to produce a pulse. This condition inhibits the heart's ability to fill with blood, resulting in a lack of adequate circulation. Similar to ventricular fibrillation, defibrillation is indicated to interrupt the rapid electrical activity and allow the heart's natural pacemaker to regain control.

The other options do not include both rhythms specified in the ACLS guidelines for shockable rhythms. Asystole represents a flatline (no electrical activity) and does not respond to defibrillation, while rhythms like atrial fibrillation and sinus tachycardia are not shockable and typically managed with different interventions. This clarification highlights