CPR Practice question and correct answers
(verified answers) plus rationales 2026
Q&A instant pdf download
1. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for CPR in an
adult?
A) 15:2
B) 30:2
C) 15:1
D) 30:1
Answer: B) 30:2
Rationale: For adult CPR, the recommended ratio is 30 chest
compressions to 2 rescue breaths, regardless of whether the rescuer
is alone or with another person.
2. When should you start CPR on a person who is unresponsive?
A) Only when the person is not breathing
B) After checking the person’s pulse
C) Immediately after recognizing that the person is unresponsive
D) When emergency medical services (EMS) arrive
Answer: C) Immediately after recognizing that the person is
unresponsive
Rationale: You should start CPR immediately after confirming the
person is unresponsive and not breathing or not breathing normally.
,3. What is the correct depth for chest compressions in adult CPR?
A) At least 1 inch
B) At least 2 inches
C) At least 3 inches
D) At least 4 inches
Answer: B) At least 2 inches
Rationale: For adult CPR, chest compressions should be at least 2
inches (5 cm) deep to be effective.
4. How often should you switch roles with another rescuer when
performing CPR on an adult?
A) Every 5 minutes
B) Every 2 minutes
C) Every 10 minutes
D) Every 30 seconds
Answer: B) Every 2 minutes
Rationale: To avoid fatigue and ensure effective compressions,
rescuers should switch every 2 minutes.
5. Which of the following is a sign that someone may need CPR?
A) Conscious and breathing normally
B) Unresponsive and not breathing
C) Sitting upright and talking
D) Crying loudly
Answer: B) Unresponsive and not breathing
Rationale: CPR is needed if the person is unresponsive and not
breathing or not breathing normally (e.g., gasping).
,6. What should you do if a person is choking and unable to cough or
speak?
A) Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
B) Give 5 back blows
C) Wait for the person to cough up the object
D) Start chest compressions immediately
Answer: A) Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
Rationale: If a person is choking and unable to cough or speak, you
should perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) to try to
expel the object.
7. If you are alone and you find an adult who needs CPR, what
should you do first?
A) Give 2 rescue breaths
B) Perform 30 chest compressions
C) Call 911 and then start CPR
D) Start chest compressions and wait for help
Answer: C) Call 911 and then start CPR
Rationale: If you are alone with an adult who needs CPR, you should
first call 911 (or your local emergency number) before starting CPR.
8. How should you open the airway of an unconscious person
before giving rescue breaths?
A) Tilt the head back and lift the chin
B) Push down on the forehead
C) Turn the head to the side
D) Pull the person’s tongue out
, Answer: A) Tilt the head back and lift the chin
Rationale: Tilting the head back and lifting the chin opens the airway
and helps air enter the lungs during rescue breaths.
9. When performing chest compressions on an adult, where should
your hands be placed?
A) Over the stomach
B) In the center of the chest, on the lower half of the sternum
C) Over the ribs
D) Above the belly button
Answer: B) In the center of the chest, on the lower half of the
sternum
Rationale: Chest compressions should be performed with hands
placed in the center of the chest, on the lower half of the sternum to
ensure proper compression.
10. Which of the following best describes effective chest mop ml l
compressions?
A) Compressions should be shallow and fast
B) Compressions should be deep and slow
C) Compressions should be at least 2 inches deep and allow full chest
recoil
D) Compressions should be slow and shallow
Answer: C) Compressions should be at least 2 inches deep and allow
full chest recoil
Rationale: Effective chest compressions are deep (at least 2 inches)
and allow full recoil between compressions to help blood flow.
(verified answers) plus rationales 2026
Q&A instant pdf download
1. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for CPR in an
adult?
A) 15:2
B) 30:2
C) 15:1
D) 30:1
Answer: B) 30:2
Rationale: For adult CPR, the recommended ratio is 30 chest
compressions to 2 rescue breaths, regardless of whether the rescuer
is alone or with another person.
2. When should you start CPR on a person who is unresponsive?
A) Only when the person is not breathing
B) After checking the person’s pulse
C) Immediately after recognizing that the person is unresponsive
D) When emergency medical services (EMS) arrive
Answer: C) Immediately after recognizing that the person is
unresponsive
Rationale: You should start CPR immediately after confirming the
person is unresponsive and not breathing or not breathing normally.
,3. What is the correct depth for chest compressions in adult CPR?
A) At least 1 inch
B) At least 2 inches
C) At least 3 inches
D) At least 4 inches
Answer: B) At least 2 inches
Rationale: For adult CPR, chest compressions should be at least 2
inches (5 cm) deep to be effective.
4. How often should you switch roles with another rescuer when
performing CPR on an adult?
A) Every 5 minutes
B) Every 2 minutes
C) Every 10 minutes
D) Every 30 seconds
Answer: B) Every 2 minutes
Rationale: To avoid fatigue and ensure effective compressions,
rescuers should switch every 2 minutes.
5. Which of the following is a sign that someone may need CPR?
A) Conscious and breathing normally
B) Unresponsive and not breathing
C) Sitting upright and talking
D) Crying loudly
Answer: B) Unresponsive and not breathing
Rationale: CPR is needed if the person is unresponsive and not
breathing or not breathing normally (e.g., gasping).
,6. What should you do if a person is choking and unable to cough or
speak?
A) Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
B) Give 5 back blows
C) Wait for the person to cough up the object
D) Start chest compressions immediately
Answer: A) Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
Rationale: If a person is choking and unable to cough or speak, you
should perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) to try to
expel the object.
7. If you are alone and you find an adult who needs CPR, what
should you do first?
A) Give 2 rescue breaths
B) Perform 30 chest compressions
C) Call 911 and then start CPR
D) Start chest compressions and wait for help
Answer: C) Call 911 and then start CPR
Rationale: If you are alone with an adult who needs CPR, you should
first call 911 (or your local emergency number) before starting CPR.
8. How should you open the airway of an unconscious person
before giving rescue breaths?
A) Tilt the head back and lift the chin
B) Push down on the forehead
C) Turn the head to the side
D) Pull the person’s tongue out
, Answer: A) Tilt the head back and lift the chin
Rationale: Tilting the head back and lifting the chin opens the airway
and helps air enter the lungs during rescue breaths.
9. When performing chest compressions on an adult, where should
your hands be placed?
A) Over the stomach
B) In the center of the chest, on the lower half of the sternum
C) Over the ribs
D) Above the belly button
Answer: B) In the center of the chest, on the lower half of the
sternum
Rationale: Chest compressions should be performed with hands
placed in the center of the chest, on the lower half of the sternum to
ensure proper compression.
10. Which of the following best describes effective chest mop ml l
compressions?
A) Compressions should be shallow and fast
B) Compressions should be deep and slow
C) Compressions should be at least 2 inches deep and allow full chest
recoil
D) Compressions should be slow and shallow
Answer: C) Compressions should be at least 2 inches deep and allow
full chest recoil
Rationale: Effective chest compressions are deep (at least 2 inches)
and allow full recoil between compressions to help blood flow.
