Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Practice Exam 2025 – Your Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The condition that indicates the need for immediate CPR is unconsciousness without a pulse. When a person is unconscious and does not have a detectable pulse, it suggests that the heart is not functioning properly, which can lead to a state of cardiac arrest. This situation is critical, as the brain and other vital organs are at risk of dying from lack of oxygen. Therefore, initiating CPR promptly is essential to maintain circulation and increase the chances of survival until advanced medical help can arrive.

In contrast, the other options do not require immediate CPR. Shortness of breath may indicate a respiratory issue or other medical condition, but it does not necessarily mean the heart has stopped. Chest pain can be a sign of various cardiac issues, including a heart attack, but it does not directly call for CPR unless the person is unresponsive and without a pulse. Stirring or twitching movements may suggest seizure activity or other neurological issues, but this does not automatically mean the individual requires CPR unless they are also unresponsive and pulseless.