A Perfect Guide for Nurses to Prepare ACLS Certification Exam

No nurse takes ACLS certification exam lightly. After all, the preparation for how to respond to the moments, which bring difference between life and death at the true time of emergency, is not something to be taken casually. Undoubtedly, Advanced Cardiac Life Support is an essential facet of an emergency medical treatment and so do is its certification exam. The certification exam is there to make sure that the nurse is finally acquainted with the professional skills to handle emergencies regarding Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

Down here, we’ve listed tips for you to follow while studying for your ACLS certification exam:

Get an Idea about Already Occurred Situations

For you to know various situations in which your ACLS skills are going to be utilized you have to review various case studies. The scenarios you encountered in your entire ACLS course have full chances to appear in your certification exam. However, studying only those cases is not a wise step. Instead, try to have an overview of all kinds of scenarios for you to be comfortable while addressing various situations in your forthcoming career as well.

Study, Review, and Memorize the Algorithms

ACLS is connected to a number of algorithms, which shall be memorized by you. Yes, do not just read them out and review them, it is compulsory to memorize them and remember them at the time of emergency as well. Whatever your learning style may be, just choose the best way that makes you learn the procedures of the following algorithms:

• V-Tach
• V-Fib
• Tachycardia
• PEA
• Bradycardia
• Asystole

Knowing Which Medication Is Needed and When It Is Needed

Identification of medications as per the occurring situation is vital to any critical emergency situation. Not only the medication, but also the correct dose level shall be known.

Remember Your H's and T's

In order to apprehend completely the ACLS algorithms, you have to stick to the mnemonic device theme. Learning your H’s and T’s make you able to cure a patient who might have possible causes of these H’s and T’s. Here they are:

The H’s

• Hydrogen Ion (Acidosis)
• Hyper or Hypokalemia (Potassium)
• Hypovolemia
• Hypoxia
• Hypothermia

The T’s

• Thrombosis
• Toxins
• Tension Pneumothorax
• Tamponade

Understand the Heart Rates and Rhythms - ECGs

You should have an experience with ECGs and the prospective way to react in such situations. You can improve your ways of understanding in case you are not yet comfortable with them. Watching YouTube videos helps. Though, taking an ECG specialized course would be highly recommended.


Down here, we are going to give you some test-taking tips:

Read EACH & EVERY Question Carefully

Pay attention! ACLS Certification exam has certain technical and dense information that requires reading between the lines. In case you don’t slow down and read each question carefully and attentively, you might end up answering it incorrectly. You have to apprehend the exact and the actual meaning of the question and then attempt to answer it. You cannot let these ‘minor’ mistakes ruin your score.

If You Know the Answer, Then Write It First.

Make sure you answer the easier questions first. Don’t get stuck onto a particular question, which you do not know. Else, you will end up wasting time and left with the answers you know. Therefore, it’s wiser to answer the questions you already know perfectly. Moreover, being caught on that one question you have no idea about will end up giving anxiety and frustration. Do not let your memory get stuck regarding the answers you know too. Not knowing the answer? Move on. Come back only once you’re done with those you are aware.

Last Significant Piece of Advice - Relax!

Well, is there any need to mention this? The answer is yes. Many nurses end up being nervous while test taking. No, you will mess up everything this way. Learning and memorizing all the algorithms will help you a lot and it’s rather quite overwhelming to be familiar with most of the stuff related to Advanced Cardiac Life Support. However, in case you will not stay calm, you might get confused and all jumbled between all those algorithms. It’s important to stay calm and trust on what you’ve prepared for the exam.

Don’t forget that fortune favors the prepared. All the best!