AHA BLS CERTIFICATION TEST CPR AND AED
SKILLS GUIDE 2026
◉ 2. As soon as an AED becomes available, which of the following is
the first step the rescuer should perform to operate the AED?
a. Place the AED pads on the chest
b. Deliver 2 rescue breaths before using the AED
c. Turn on the AED
d. Complete 5 cycles of chest compressions. Answer: C
◉ 3. After the AED delivers a shock, the rescuer should
a. Wait for the AED to reanalyze the rhythm
b. Immediately restart CPR, beginning with chest compressions
c. Provide 2 ventilations to the victim
d. Immediately check the carotid pulse for no more than 10 seconds.
Answer: B
◉ 4. The 2010 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC recommend that to
identify cardiac arrest in an unresponsive victim with no breathing
(or no normal breathing), a healthcare provider should check a
pulse for no more than
a. 25 seconds
,b. 10 seconds
c. 15 seconds
d. 20 seconds. Answer: B
◉ 5. After you identify an unresponsive victim with no breathing (or
no normal breathing) and no pulse, chest compressions should be
initiated within
a. 25 seconds
b. 10 seconds
c. 30 seconds
d. 60 seconds. Answer: B
◉ 6. Which of the following victims need CPR?
a. A victim with a pulse and who is having trouble breathing
b. A victim with chest pain and indigestion
c. A victim who is unresponsive, no normal breathing and absent/
inadequate pulse
d. A victim who is unresponsive but is breathing adequately. Answer:
C
◉ 7. Where should the hands be placed to perform chest
compressions on an adult?
a. On the lower half of the breastbone
, b. In the center of the breastbone
c. On the upper portion of the abdomen
d. On the upper half of the breastbone. Answer: A
◉ 8. The depth of compressions for an adult victim should be at least
a. 1 inch
b. 2 inches
c. 3 inches
d. 4 inches. Answer: B
◉ 9. Why is it important to compress to the appropriate depth
during CPR?
a. Adequate depth of compression is needed to create blood flow
during compressions
b. Adequate depth of compression is needed to create air flow into
the lungs and adequate oxygenation
c. Adequate depth of compression is needed to prolong asystole
d. Adequate depth of compression is needed to stimulate
spontaneous respirations. Answer: A
◉ 10. The recommended rate for performing chest compressions for
victims of all ages is
a. At least 40 compressions per minute
SKILLS GUIDE 2026
◉ 2. As soon as an AED becomes available, which of the following is
the first step the rescuer should perform to operate the AED?
a. Place the AED pads on the chest
b. Deliver 2 rescue breaths before using the AED
c. Turn on the AED
d. Complete 5 cycles of chest compressions. Answer: C
◉ 3. After the AED delivers a shock, the rescuer should
a. Wait for the AED to reanalyze the rhythm
b. Immediately restart CPR, beginning with chest compressions
c. Provide 2 ventilations to the victim
d. Immediately check the carotid pulse for no more than 10 seconds.
Answer: B
◉ 4. The 2010 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC recommend that to
identify cardiac arrest in an unresponsive victim with no breathing
(or no normal breathing), a healthcare provider should check a
pulse for no more than
a. 25 seconds
,b. 10 seconds
c. 15 seconds
d. 20 seconds. Answer: B
◉ 5. After you identify an unresponsive victim with no breathing (or
no normal breathing) and no pulse, chest compressions should be
initiated within
a. 25 seconds
b. 10 seconds
c. 30 seconds
d. 60 seconds. Answer: B
◉ 6. Which of the following victims need CPR?
a. A victim with a pulse and who is having trouble breathing
b. A victim with chest pain and indigestion
c. A victim who is unresponsive, no normal breathing and absent/
inadequate pulse
d. A victim who is unresponsive but is breathing adequately. Answer:
C
◉ 7. Where should the hands be placed to perform chest
compressions on an adult?
a. On the lower half of the breastbone
, b. In the center of the breastbone
c. On the upper portion of the abdomen
d. On the upper half of the breastbone. Answer: A
◉ 8. The depth of compressions for an adult victim should be at least
a. 1 inch
b. 2 inches
c. 3 inches
d. 4 inches. Answer: B
◉ 9. Why is it important to compress to the appropriate depth
during CPR?
a. Adequate depth of compression is needed to create blood flow
during compressions
b. Adequate depth of compression is needed to create air flow into
the lungs and adequate oxygenation
c. Adequate depth of compression is needed to prolong asystole
d. Adequate depth of compression is needed to stimulate
spontaneous respirations. Answer: A
◉ 10. The recommended rate for performing chest compressions for
victims of all ages is
a. At least 40 compressions per minute
