BLS Final Exam | 2026/2027 Actual Exam
25 Verified Questions and Correct Answers | Basic Life Support
Certification – Final Assessment
Based on the 2025 American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines Update for CPR and
Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC)
Q1
You are the first to arrive at the scene of a potential emergency. You see an adult
collapse suddenly in a park. After ensuring the scene is safe, you approach the person
and find them unresponsive. They are not breathing, or only gasping. What is your
immediate next action?
A. Begin chest compressions immediately.
B. Check for a carotid pulse for no more than 10 seconds.
C. Shout for help and activate the emergency response system/get an AED. [CORRECT]
D. Open the airway and give 2 rescue breaths.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For a witnessed collapse of an adult, the 2025 AHA BLS algorithm
emphasizes simultaneous actions. After confirming unresponsiveness and abnormal
breathing (agonal gasps), the rescuer should shout for nearby help and activate the
emergency response system (call 911) and retrieve an AED (or send someone to do so).
This ensures that the Chain of Survival is initiated as quickly as possible for a potential
cardiac arrest. Beginning compressions (A) delays activation of advanced care. For a
,lay rescuer, pulse check (B) is not emphasized and can delay care; recognition of
cardiac arrest is based on unresponsiveness and absence of normal breathing. Giving
breaths first (D) is incorrect; for a sudden witnessed arrest of likely cardiac origin,
compressions should begin promptly after activation.
Q2
You are performing high-quality CPR on an adult. Which combination of compression
rate and depth meets 2025 AHA guidelines?
A. Rate of 80-100 compressions per minute; depth of at least 1.5 inches (4 cm)
B. Rate of 100-120 compressions per minute; depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm)
[CORRECT]
C. Rate of 120-140 compressions per minute; depth of 2-2.4 inches (5-6 cm)
D. Rate of 100-120 compressions per minute; depth of 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The 2025 AHA guidelines specify a compression rate of 100-120 per minute
and a depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm) but not exceeding 2.4 inches (6 cm) for adults.
Option A has an inadequate rate and insufficient depth. Option C exceeds the
recommended rate (compressions >120/min compromise coronary perfusion). Option
D provides insufficient depth (minimum is 2 inches, not 1.5). High-quality CPR requires
adequate rate and depth to generate sufficient blood flow to vital organs.
Q3
, You are a single rescuer performing BLS on a 6-year-old child who suddenly collapsed.
You witnessed the collapse. After ensuring scene safety and checking responsiveness,
what is your immediate next step?
A. Leave the child to activate the emergency response system and get an AED, then
return to begin CPR
B. Give 2 rescue breaths before beginning compressions
C. Begin cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths immediately, then activate
emergency response after 2 minutes [CORRECT]
D. Check the brachial pulse for no more than 10 seconds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For witnessed sudden collapse of a child, the rescuer should immediately
begin CPR with cycles of 30:2 (compressions to ventilations) if alone. The 2025
guidelines emphasize that for children, immediate CPR is critical, and the lone rescuer
should perform approximately 2 minutes (5 cycles) of CPR before leaving to activate the
emergency response system. This differs from adult protocol because respiratory
causes are more common in children, making immediate CPR vital. Option A is incorrect
because it delays critical compressions. Option B delays compressions unnecessarily.
Option D delays care; pulse check is not the first action.
Q4
You and a colleague are performing two-rescuer BLS on an adult. You are performing
compressions while your colleague is managing the airway and delivering breaths.
According to 2025 AHA guidelines, when should you switch roles?
25 Verified Questions and Correct Answers | Basic Life Support
Certification – Final Assessment
Based on the 2025 American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines Update for CPR and
Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC)
Q1
You are the first to arrive at the scene of a potential emergency. You see an adult
collapse suddenly in a park. After ensuring the scene is safe, you approach the person
and find them unresponsive. They are not breathing, or only gasping. What is your
immediate next action?
A. Begin chest compressions immediately.
B. Check for a carotid pulse for no more than 10 seconds.
C. Shout for help and activate the emergency response system/get an AED. [CORRECT]
D. Open the airway and give 2 rescue breaths.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For a witnessed collapse of an adult, the 2025 AHA BLS algorithm
emphasizes simultaneous actions. After confirming unresponsiveness and abnormal
breathing (agonal gasps), the rescuer should shout for nearby help and activate the
emergency response system (call 911) and retrieve an AED (or send someone to do so).
This ensures that the Chain of Survival is initiated as quickly as possible for a potential
cardiac arrest. Beginning compressions (A) delays activation of advanced care. For a
,lay rescuer, pulse check (B) is not emphasized and can delay care; recognition of
cardiac arrest is based on unresponsiveness and absence of normal breathing. Giving
breaths first (D) is incorrect; for a sudden witnessed arrest of likely cardiac origin,
compressions should begin promptly after activation.
Q2
You are performing high-quality CPR on an adult. Which combination of compression
rate and depth meets 2025 AHA guidelines?
A. Rate of 80-100 compressions per minute; depth of at least 1.5 inches (4 cm)
B. Rate of 100-120 compressions per minute; depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm)
[CORRECT]
C. Rate of 120-140 compressions per minute; depth of 2-2.4 inches (5-6 cm)
D. Rate of 100-120 compressions per minute; depth of 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The 2025 AHA guidelines specify a compression rate of 100-120 per minute
and a depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm) but not exceeding 2.4 inches (6 cm) for adults.
Option A has an inadequate rate and insufficient depth. Option C exceeds the
recommended rate (compressions >120/min compromise coronary perfusion). Option
D provides insufficient depth (minimum is 2 inches, not 1.5). High-quality CPR requires
adequate rate and depth to generate sufficient blood flow to vital organs.
Q3
, You are a single rescuer performing BLS on a 6-year-old child who suddenly collapsed.
You witnessed the collapse. After ensuring scene safety and checking responsiveness,
what is your immediate next step?
A. Leave the child to activate the emergency response system and get an AED, then
return to begin CPR
B. Give 2 rescue breaths before beginning compressions
C. Begin cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths immediately, then activate
emergency response after 2 minutes [CORRECT]
D. Check the brachial pulse for no more than 10 seconds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For witnessed sudden collapse of a child, the rescuer should immediately
begin CPR with cycles of 30:2 (compressions to ventilations) if alone. The 2025
guidelines emphasize that for children, immediate CPR is critical, and the lone rescuer
should perform approximately 2 minutes (5 cycles) of CPR before leaving to activate the
emergency response system. This differs from adult protocol because respiratory
causes are more common in children, making immediate CPR vital. Option A is incorrect
because it delays critical compressions. Option B delays compressions unnecessarily.
Option D delays care; pulse check is not the first action.
Q4
You and a colleague are performing two-rescuer BLS on an adult. You are performing
compressions while your colleague is managing the airway and delivering breaths.
According to 2025 AHA guidelines, when should you switch roles?
