Annotated Answer Key Basic Life Support Exam A
1)While performing high-quality CPR on an adult, what action should you ensure is
being accomplished?
A. Maintaining a compression rate of 90 to 120/min
B. Placing hands on the upper third of the sternum
C. Allowing the chest to recoil 1 inch
D. Compressing to a depth of at least 2 inches
2)The correct answer is D. When performing chest compressions on an adult (or
adolescent), a compression depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm) should be used. [BLS
Provider Manual, Part 2: BLS for Adults > Adult Chest Compressions; page 19]
When the AED arrives, what is the first step for using it?
A. Apply the pads to the patient’s chest
B. Clear the patient
C. Turn on the AED
D. Press the shock button
The correct answer is C. The first step for using an AED (when it becomes available) is to
power on the AED if needed. [BLS Provider Manual, Part 3: Automated External Defibrillator
for Adults and Children 8 Years of Age and Older > Using the AED > Universal Steps for
Operating an AED; page 35]
3)After the AED pads are attached to the victim’s bare chest, the AED detects
ventricular fibrillation. What is the next step when using an AED?
A. Check the victim for a carotid pulse
B. Follow the AED prompts
C. Clear the patient
D. Press the shock button
The correct answer is B. After the AED pads are attached to the victim’s bare chest, you
should follow the AED prompts. [BLS Provider Manual, Part 3: Automated External
Defibrillator for Adults and Children 8 Years of Age and Older > Using the AED > Universal
Steps for Operating an AED; page 35]
, 4)What should you do if you need to use an AED on someone who has been
submerged in water?
A. Do not move the victim, and do not use the AED
B. Pull the victim out of the water, but do not use the AED
C. Pull the victim out of the water, and wipe the chest
D. Do not pull the victim out of the water, but wipe the chest before placing pads
The correct answer is C. Special situations may require the rescuer to take additional
actions when placing AED pads for a victim who is immersed in water. [BLS Provider
Manual, Part 3: Automated External Defibrillator for Adults and Children 8 Years of Age and
Older > Special Circumstances > Water; page 39]
5)How can rescuers ensure that they are providing effective breaths when using a
bag-mask device?
A. Observing the chest rise with breaths
B. Delivering breaths quickly and forcefully
C. Always having oxygen attached to the bag
D. Allowing air to release around the mask
The correct answer is A. Squeeze the bag to give breaths (1 second each) while watching for
chest rise. [BLS Provider Manual, Part 2: BLS for Adults > Adult Breaths > Bag-Mask Devices
> Bag-Mask Ventilation Technique (1 Rescuer); page 26]
6)What ratio for compressions to breaths should be used for 1-rescuer infant CPR?
A. 5 compressions to 1 breath
B. 20 compressions to 2 breaths
C. 15 compressions to 2 breaths
D. 30 compressions to 2 breaths
The correct answer is D. For 1-rescuer infant CPR, the correct compression-to-ventilation
ratio is 30:2. [BLS Provider Manual, Part 5: BLS for Infants and Children > Infant/Child
Chest Compressions > Compression Rate and Compression-to-Ventilation Ratio; page 49]
7)What is a consideration when you are using an AED?
A. You should never remove a transdermal medication patch before applying AED pads
B. On a hairy chest, the pads may not stick and may fail to deliver a shock
1)While performing high-quality CPR on an adult, what action should you ensure is
being accomplished?
A. Maintaining a compression rate of 90 to 120/min
B. Placing hands on the upper third of the sternum
C. Allowing the chest to recoil 1 inch
D. Compressing to a depth of at least 2 inches
2)The correct answer is D. When performing chest compressions on an adult (or
adolescent), a compression depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm) should be used. [BLS
Provider Manual, Part 2: BLS for Adults > Adult Chest Compressions; page 19]
When the AED arrives, what is the first step for using it?
A. Apply the pads to the patient’s chest
B. Clear the patient
C. Turn on the AED
D. Press the shock button
The correct answer is C. The first step for using an AED (when it becomes available) is to
power on the AED if needed. [BLS Provider Manual, Part 3: Automated External Defibrillator
for Adults and Children 8 Years of Age and Older > Using the AED > Universal Steps for
Operating an AED; page 35]
3)After the AED pads are attached to the victim’s bare chest, the AED detects
ventricular fibrillation. What is the next step when using an AED?
A. Check the victim for a carotid pulse
B. Follow the AED prompts
C. Clear the patient
D. Press the shock button
The correct answer is B. After the AED pads are attached to the victim’s bare chest, you
should follow the AED prompts. [BLS Provider Manual, Part 3: Automated External
Defibrillator for Adults and Children 8 Years of Age and Older > Using the AED > Universal
Steps for Operating an AED; page 35]
, 4)What should you do if you need to use an AED on someone who has been
submerged in water?
A. Do not move the victim, and do not use the AED
B. Pull the victim out of the water, but do not use the AED
C. Pull the victim out of the water, and wipe the chest
D. Do not pull the victim out of the water, but wipe the chest before placing pads
The correct answer is C. Special situations may require the rescuer to take additional
actions when placing AED pads for a victim who is immersed in water. [BLS Provider
Manual, Part 3: Automated External Defibrillator for Adults and Children 8 Years of Age and
Older > Special Circumstances > Water; page 39]
5)How can rescuers ensure that they are providing effective breaths when using a
bag-mask device?
A. Observing the chest rise with breaths
B. Delivering breaths quickly and forcefully
C. Always having oxygen attached to the bag
D. Allowing air to release around the mask
The correct answer is A. Squeeze the bag to give breaths (1 second each) while watching for
chest rise. [BLS Provider Manual, Part 2: BLS for Adults > Adult Breaths > Bag-Mask Devices
> Bag-Mask Ventilation Technique (1 Rescuer); page 26]
6)What ratio for compressions to breaths should be used for 1-rescuer infant CPR?
A. 5 compressions to 1 breath
B. 20 compressions to 2 breaths
C. 15 compressions to 2 breaths
D. 30 compressions to 2 breaths
The correct answer is D. For 1-rescuer infant CPR, the correct compression-to-ventilation
ratio is 30:2. [BLS Provider Manual, Part 5: BLS for Infants and Children > Infant/Child
Chest Compressions > Compression Rate and Compression-to-Ventilation Ratio; page 49]
7)What is a consideration when you are using an AED?
A. You should never remove a transdermal medication patch before applying AED pads
B. On a hairy chest, the pads may not stick and may fail to deliver a shock
