Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification Exam
American Heart Association Questions With
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. The primary purpose of BLS is to:
A. Diagnose heart conditions
B. Maintain circulation and breathing
C. Prescribe medications
D. Perform surgery
Rationale: BLS focuses on immediate lifesaving interventions—mainly
chest compressions and rescue breathing—to maintain circulation and
oxygenation until advanced care arrives.
2. When assessing an unresponsive adult, the first step is to:
A. Give rescue breaths
B. Check for responsiveness
C. Begin chest compressions
D. Call for advanced medical help
,Rationale: Checking responsiveness ensures the patient needs BLS and
helps determine if CPR should begin.
3. The correct rate for adult chest compressions is:
A. 60–80 per minute
B. 80–100 per minute
C. 100–120 per minute
D. 120–140 per minute
Rationale: A compression rate of 100–120/min maximizes perfusion
while avoiding fatigue or ineffective compressions.
4. During adult CPR, the recommended compression depth is:
A. 1 inch
B. 1.5 inches
C. 2–2.4 inches (5–6 cm)
D. 3 inches
Rationale: Proper depth ensures adequate blood flow to vital organs
during chest compressions.
5. If a victim is choking and cannot cough, speak, or breathe, the
correct intervention is:
A. Perform chest compressions
B. Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
, C. Provide rescue breaths only
D. Wait for help
Rationale: Abdominal thrusts generate enough pressure to expel an
obstruction from the airway.
6. The correct sequence of steps in BLS is:
A. Airway, Breathing, Circulation
B. Check responsiveness, Call for help, Compressions, Airway,
Breathing
C. Compressions, Breathing, Defibrillation
D. Breathing, Airway, Compressions
Rationale: BLS emphasizes early recognition, activation of EMS, and
high-quality CPR using the CAB (Circulation, Airway, Breathing)
sequence.
7. When using an automated external defibrillator (AED), the first
action after turning it on is:
A. Shock immediately
B. Attach pads to the patient’s chest
C. Perform CPR first
D. Check pulse
Rationale: AEDs require electrode pad placement to analyze heart
rhythm and safely deliver a shock if indicated.
, 8. The ratio of compressions to breaths in adult CPR for a single
rescuer is:
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
C. 15:1
D. 100:2
Rationale: The 30:2 ratio balances adequate compressions and
ventilation for effective circulation.
9. For a child (1–8 years old) requiring CPR, the compression-to-
ventilation ratio for a single rescuer is:
A. 15:1
B. 30:2
C. 15:2
D. 100:2
Rationale: Single rescuer CPR for children follows adult ratios, but two-
rescuer CPR uses 15:2 to provide more frequent ventilations.
10. The preferred method for opening the airway in an adult
with no suspected spinal injury is:
A. Head tilt, chin lift
B. Jaw thrust
American Heart Association Questions With
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. The primary purpose of BLS is to:
A. Diagnose heart conditions
B. Maintain circulation and breathing
C. Prescribe medications
D. Perform surgery
Rationale: BLS focuses on immediate lifesaving interventions—mainly
chest compressions and rescue breathing—to maintain circulation and
oxygenation until advanced care arrives.
2. When assessing an unresponsive adult, the first step is to:
A. Give rescue breaths
B. Check for responsiveness
C. Begin chest compressions
D. Call for advanced medical help
,Rationale: Checking responsiveness ensures the patient needs BLS and
helps determine if CPR should begin.
3. The correct rate for adult chest compressions is:
A. 60–80 per minute
B. 80–100 per minute
C. 100–120 per minute
D. 120–140 per minute
Rationale: A compression rate of 100–120/min maximizes perfusion
while avoiding fatigue or ineffective compressions.
4. During adult CPR, the recommended compression depth is:
A. 1 inch
B. 1.5 inches
C. 2–2.4 inches (5–6 cm)
D. 3 inches
Rationale: Proper depth ensures adequate blood flow to vital organs
during chest compressions.
5. If a victim is choking and cannot cough, speak, or breathe, the
correct intervention is:
A. Perform chest compressions
B. Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
, C. Provide rescue breaths only
D. Wait for help
Rationale: Abdominal thrusts generate enough pressure to expel an
obstruction from the airway.
6. The correct sequence of steps in BLS is:
A. Airway, Breathing, Circulation
B. Check responsiveness, Call for help, Compressions, Airway,
Breathing
C. Compressions, Breathing, Defibrillation
D. Breathing, Airway, Compressions
Rationale: BLS emphasizes early recognition, activation of EMS, and
high-quality CPR using the CAB (Circulation, Airway, Breathing)
sequence.
7. When using an automated external defibrillator (AED), the first
action after turning it on is:
A. Shock immediately
B. Attach pads to the patient’s chest
C. Perform CPR first
D. Check pulse
Rationale: AEDs require electrode pad placement to analyze heart
rhythm and safely deliver a shock if indicated.
, 8. The ratio of compressions to breaths in adult CPR for a single
rescuer is:
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
C. 15:1
D. 100:2
Rationale: The 30:2 ratio balances adequate compressions and
ventilation for effective circulation.
9. For a child (1–8 years old) requiring CPR, the compression-to-
ventilation ratio for a single rescuer is:
A. 15:1
B. 30:2
C. 15:2
D. 100:2
Rationale: Single rescuer CPR for children follows adult ratios, but two-
rescuer CPR uses 15:2 to provide more frequent ventilations.
10. The preferred method for opening the airway in an adult
with no suspected spinal injury is:
A. Head tilt, chin lift
B. Jaw thrust
