,American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) Exam A 2026
Questions and Answers – A+ Graded with Expert Solutions
Question 1
What is the correct sequence for starting Basic Life Support
(BLS) for an adult victim according to current guidelines?
• A) Check pulse, give rescue breaths, check responsiveness,
and defibrillate
• B) Size up the scene, check for responsiveness, send
someone to call 911 and get an AED, check breathing and
pulse simultaneously, and start CPR
• C) Administer oxygen, open airway, give 5 rescue breaths,
and check blood pressure
• D) Apply AED pads immediately before checking
responsiveness
• Correct Answer: B
• Rationale: The systematic approach begins with ensuring
scene safety (size-up), assessing responsiveness, activating
emergency response / retrieving an AED, checking
breathing/pulse for up to 10 seconds, and immediately
initiating high-quality chest compressions.
Question 2
,As a lone rescuer performing CPR on an adult victim, what is
the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio?
• A) 15 compressions to 2 breaths
• B) 30 compressions to 2 breaths
• C) 100 compressions to 10 breaths
• D) Continuous compressions with no breaths
• Correct Answer: B
• Rationale: The established single-rescuer ratio for adult
cardiac arrest is 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue
breaths.
Question 3
What is the recommended depth of chest compressions for an
adult victim during CPR?
• A) Exactly 1 inch (2.5 cm)
• B) At least 2 inches (5 cm), but not exceeding 2.4 inches (6
cm)
• C) Exactly 4 inches (10 cm)
• D) Halfway through the chest width
• Correct Answer: B
, • Rationale: Compressing at least 2 inches ensures sufficient
blood flow to vital organs while keeping under 2.4 inches
avoids causing unnecessary skeletal or internal trauma.
Question 4
What is the recommended compression rate for adult CPR?
• A) 60 to 80 compressions per minute
• B) 80 to 100 compressions per minute
• C) 100 to 120 compressions per minute
• D) 140 to 160 compressions per minute
• Correct Answer: C
• Rationale: Maintaining a rate of 100 to 120 compressions
per minute optimizes artificial cardiac output and blood
perfusion.
Question 5
Why is complete chest recoil between compressions critical?
• A) It allows the heart chambers to refill with blood before
the next compression
• B) It gives the rescuer time to rest their arms
• C) It cools down the breastbone
• D) It prevents the AED from alarming
Questions and Answers – A+ Graded with Expert Solutions
Question 1
What is the correct sequence for starting Basic Life Support
(BLS) for an adult victim according to current guidelines?
• A) Check pulse, give rescue breaths, check responsiveness,
and defibrillate
• B) Size up the scene, check for responsiveness, send
someone to call 911 and get an AED, check breathing and
pulse simultaneously, and start CPR
• C) Administer oxygen, open airway, give 5 rescue breaths,
and check blood pressure
• D) Apply AED pads immediately before checking
responsiveness
• Correct Answer: B
• Rationale: The systematic approach begins with ensuring
scene safety (size-up), assessing responsiveness, activating
emergency response / retrieving an AED, checking
breathing/pulse for up to 10 seconds, and immediately
initiating high-quality chest compressions.
Question 2
,As a lone rescuer performing CPR on an adult victim, what is
the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio?
• A) 15 compressions to 2 breaths
• B) 30 compressions to 2 breaths
• C) 100 compressions to 10 breaths
• D) Continuous compressions with no breaths
• Correct Answer: B
• Rationale: The established single-rescuer ratio for adult
cardiac arrest is 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue
breaths.
Question 3
What is the recommended depth of chest compressions for an
adult victim during CPR?
• A) Exactly 1 inch (2.5 cm)
• B) At least 2 inches (5 cm), but not exceeding 2.4 inches (6
cm)
• C) Exactly 4 inches (10 cm)
• D) Halfway through the chest width
• Correct Answer: B
, • Rationale: Compressing at least 2 inches ensures sufficient
blood flow to vital organs while keeping under 2.4 inches
avoids causing unnecessary skeletal or internal trauma.
Question 4
What is the recommended compression rate for adult CPR?
• A) 60 to 80 compressions per minute
• B) 80 to 100 compressions per minute
• C) 100 to 120 compressions per minute
• D) 140 to 160 compressions per minute
• Correct Answer: C
• Rationale: Maintaining a rate of 100 to 120 compressions
per minute optimizes artificial cardiac output and blood
perfusion.
Question 5
Why is complete chest recoil between compressions critical?
• A) It allows the heart chambers to refill with blood before
the next compression
• B) It gives the rescuer time to rest their arms
• C) It cools down the breastbone
• D) It prevents the AED from alarming
