,American Red Cross BLS Lesson 2 Q&A Bank 2026
– Complete 300+ Practice Questions with Verified
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Approach to Assessing, Recognizing & Caring for
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1. When conducting a rapid assessment of an
unresponsive adult patient, you simultaneously
check breathing and a carotid pulse for at least 5
seconds, but no more than ______.
A) 5 seconds
B) 10 seconds
C) 15 seconds
D) 20 seconds
Answer: B) 10 seconds
Rationale: The rapid assessment must be completed
within 10 seconds to avoid delaying CPR. Checking
for less than 5 seconds may result in a false negative
(missing a faint pulse), while more than 10 seconds
,delays life-saving chest compressions in cardiac
arrest patients.
2. A patient is unresponsive, not breathing, and
has no pulse. This condition is called:
A) Respiratory arrest
B) Cardiac arrest
C) Myocardial infarction
D) Stroke
Answer: B) Cardiac arrest
Rationale: Cardiac arrest is defined by the absence
of a pulse (cardiac output) along with
unresponsiveness and abnormal/absent breathing.
Respiratory arrest (A) means the patient has a pulse
but isn't breathing. Myocardial infarction (C) is a
heart attack that may lead to cardiac arrest but isn't
the same condition. Stroke (D) involves neurological
deficits, not absence of pulse.
, 3. What is the appropriate compression depth for
an adult during CPR?
A) At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B) At least 1.5 inches (4 cm)
C) At least 2 inches (5 cm)
D) At least 3 inches (7.5 cm)
Answer: C) At least 2 inches (5 cm)
Rationale: Current AHA/Red Cross guidelines
recommend compressing the chest at least 2 inches
(5 cm) for adults. Depths less than 2 inches do not
generate adequate blood flow to vital organs.
Depths greater than 2.4 inches (6 cm) increase risk of
injury without additional benefit. Options A and B
are insufficient; option D is excessive and dangerous.
4. An adult patient is not breathing normally but
has a pulse. What is the correct ventilation rate?
A) 1 ventilation every 3-4 seconds
B) 1 ventilation every 5-6 seconds
– Complete 300+ Practice Questions with Verified
Answers & Detailed Rationales | Systematic
Approach to Assessing, Recognizing & Caring for
Adults | ARC-Aligned | Graded A+ | Instant
Download
1. When conducting a rapid assessment of an
unresponsive adult patient, you simultaneously
check breathing and a carotid pulse for at least 5
seconds, but no more than ______.
A) 5 seconds
B) 10 seconds
C) 15 seconds
D) 20 seconds
Answer: B) 10 seconds
Rationale: The rapid assessment must be completed
within 10 seconds to avoid delaying CPR. Checking
for less than 5 seconds may result in a false negative
(missing a faint pulse), while more than 10 seconds
,delays life-saving chest compressions in cardiac
arrest patients.
2. A patient is unresponsive, not breathing, and
has no pulse. This condition is called:
A) Respiratory arrest
B) Cardiac arrest
C) Myocardial infarction
D) Stroke
Answer: B) Cardiac arrest
Rationale: Cardiac arrest is defined by the absence
of a pulse (cardiac output) along with
unresponsiveness and abnormal/absent breathing.
Respiratory arrest (A) means the patient has a pulse
but isn't breathing. Myocardial infarction (C) is a
heart attack that may lead to cardiac arrest but isn't
the same condition. Stroke (D) involves neurological
deficits, not absence of pulse.
, 3. What is the appropriate compression depth for
an adult during CPR?
A) At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B) At least 1.5 inches (4 cm)
C) At least 2 inches (5 cm)
D) At least 3 inches (7.5 cm)
Answer: C) At least 2 inches (5 cm)
Rationale: Current AHA/Red Cross guidelines
recommend compressing the chest at least 2 inches
(5 cm) for adults. Depths less than 2 inches do not
generate adequate blood flow to vital organs.
Depths greater than 2.4 inches (6 cm) increase risk of
injury without additional benefit. Options A and B
are insufficient; option D is excessive and dangerous.
4. An adult patient is not breathing normally but
has a pulse. What is the correct ventilation rate?
A) 1 ventilation every 3-4 seconds
B) 1 ventilation every 5-6 seconds
