This is Part 1 of the Basic Life Support
(BLS) Certification 2025 Guidelines
Comprehensive Test Bank by the American
Heart Association.
TABLE OF CONTENTS — PART 1 of 5
Chapter 1: Chain of Survival and Emergency Response — Questions 1–20
Chapter 2: High-Quality CPR for Adults — Questions 21–40
Chapter 3: Airway Management and Ventilation — Questions 41–60
Chapter 4: Automated External Defibrillator (AED) — Questions 61–80
Chapter 5: Team Dynamics and Multi-Rescuer BLS — Questions 81–100
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Chapter 1: Chain of Survival and Emergency Response
Q1. A rescuer is reviewing the 2025 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC. Which statement best
describes the unified Chain of Survival?
A. A single 6-link chain applies to adult and pediatric in-hospital and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
B. Separate chains exist for adult and pediatric cardiac arrest
C. The chain has 8 links for adults and 5 links for children
D. The chain applies only to in-hospital cardiac arrest
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The 2025 Guidelines consolidated the four separate chains introduced in 2020 into a
single 6-link chain of survival that applies to adult and pediatric in-hospital and out-of-hospital
cardiac arrest [citation:2][citation:9]. Option B is incorrect because the 2025 Guidelines specifically
,replaced the separate adult and pediatric chains with one unified chain. Option C is incorrect
because the chain has 6 links, not 8 or 5. Option D is incorrect because the unified chain applies to
both in-hospital and out-of-hospital settings. Understanding the Chain of Survival supports timely
and effective emergency response.
Q2. A rescuer is reviewing the links of the 2025 Chain of Survival. Which sequence correctly identifies
the 6 links?
A. Recognition, CPR, defibrillation, advanced resuscitation, recovery, survivorship
B. Recognition, CPR, defibrillation, advanced resuscitation, post-arrest care, recovery
C. Recognition, defibrillation, CPR, advanced resuscitation, post-arrest care, recovery
D. Recognition, CPR, defibrillation, advanced resuscitation, post-arrest care, recovery and
survivorship
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The unified 6-link Chain of Survival includes recognition and emergency activation,
high-quality CPR, defibrillation, advanced resuscitation, post-cardiac arrest care, and recovery and
survivorship [citation:10][citation:3]. Option A is incorrect because it omits post-cardiac arrest care
and combines recovery and survivorship incorrectly. Option B is incorrect because it omits
survivorship and lists recovery alone. Option C is incorrect because defibrillation follows high-quality
CPR, not the other way around. Understanding the correct sequence supports effective emergency
response.
Q3. A rescuer is reviewing the 2025 Guidelines and notes that prevention is not included as a link in
the Chain of Survival. Which statement best explains this decision?
A. Prevention was deemed unnecessary for survival
B. The writing group considered prevention important but wanted to better define it before adding a
seventh link
C. Prevention is already covered under recognition
D. Prevention applies only to in-hospital cardiac arrest
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The 2025 Guidelines writing group considered prevention important but chose not to
add it as a seventh link because they wanted to better define it first [citation:2][citation:9]. Option A
is incorrect because prevention was not deemed unnecessary; it was acknowledged as important.
,Option C is incorrect because prevention is distinct from recognition and emergency activation.
Option D is incorrect because prevention applies to both in-hospital and out-of-hospital settings.
Understanding the Rationale supports accurate guideline application.
Q4. A rescuer is reviewing the 2025 Guidelines and encounters the term "recognition and emergency
activation." Which statement best describes this first link?
A. It involves performing high-quality chest compressions
B. It involves delivering a shock with an AED
C. It involves recognizing cardiac arrest and activating the emergency response system
D. It involves providing advanced airway management
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The first link in the Chain of Survival is recognition of cardiac arrest and activation of
the emergency response system, which is critical for initiating timely resuscitation [citation:10].
Option A is incorrect because high-quality CPR is the second link, not the first. Option B is incorrect
because defibrillation is the third link. Option D is incorrect because advanced resuscitation is the
fourth link. Understanding the first link supports prompt emergency response.
Q5. A rescuer is reviewing the 2025 Guidelines and notes the emphasis on high-quality CPR. Which
statement best describes why this link is critical?
A. High-quality CPR is optional if an AED is available
B. High-quality CPR provides critical blood flow to the heart and brain until defibrillation or advanced
care is available
C. High-quality CPR replaces the need for defibrillation
D. High-quality CPR is only necessary for pediatric patients
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: High-quality CPR provides critical blood flow to the heart and brain until defibrillation
or advanced care can be provided, making it essential for survival [citation:2]. Option A is incorrect
because high-quality CPR is not optional; it is the foundation of resuscitation. Option C is incorrect
because CPR does not replace defibrillation; both are needed. Option D is incorrect because high-
quality CPR is essential for patients of all ages. Understanding the role of CPR supports effective
resuscitation.
, Q6. A rescuer is reviewing the 2025 Guidelines and notes the term "defibrillation." Which statement
best describes the purpose of this link?
A. Defibrillation provides oxygen to the lungs
B. Defibrillation eliminates an abnormal heart rhythm and restores a regular rhythm
C. Defibrillation replaces the need for chest compressions
D. Defibrillation is only used for pediatric patients
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Defibrillation eliminates an abnormal heart rhythm and can restore a regular rhythm,
and when combined with high-quality CPR, it can double or triple survival chances [citation:4].
Option A is incorrect because defibrillation does not provide oxygen; ventilation does. Option C is
incorrect because defibrillation does not replace chest compressions; both are needed. Option D is
incorrect because defibrillation is used for both adult and pediatric patients. Understanding
defibrillation supports effective resuscitation.
Q7. A rescuer is reviewing the 2025 Guidelines and notes the term "advanced resuscitation." Which
statement best describes this link?
A. It involves basic CPR techniques only
B. It involves advanced interventions such as medications and advanced airway management
C. It replaces the need for high-quality CPR
D. It is only performed by lay rescuers
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Advanced resuscitation involves advanced interventions such as medications,
advanced airway management, and other procedures performed by healthcare professionals
[citation:10]. Option A is incorrect because basic CPR is the second link, not advanced resuscitation.
Option C is incorrect because advanced resuscitation complements, rather than replaces, high-
quality CPR. Option D is incorrect because advanced resuscitation is performed by healthcare
professionals, not lay rescuers. Understanding advanced resuscitation supports coordinated care.
Q8. A rescuer is reviewing the 2025 Guidelines and notes the term "post-cardiac arrest care." Which
statement best describes this link?
(BLS) Certification 2025 Guidelines
Comprehensive Test Bank by the American
Heart Association.
TABLE OF CONTENTS — PART 1 of 5
Chapter 1: Chain of Survival and Emergency Response — Questions 1–20
Chapter 2: High-Quality CPR for Adults — Questions 21–40
Chapter 3: Airway Management and Ventilation — Questions 41–60
Chapter 4: Automated External Defibrillator (AED) — Questions 61–80
Chapter 5: Team Dynamics and Multi-Rescuer BLS — Questions 81–100
---
Chapter 1: Chain of Survival and Emergency Response
Q1. A rescuer is reviewing the 2025 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC. Which statement best
describes the unified Chain of Survival?
A. A single 6-link chain applies to adult and pediatric in-hospital and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
B. Separate chains exist for adult and pediatric cardiac arrest
C. The chain has 8 links for adults and 5 links for children
D. The chain applies only to in-hospital cardiac arrest
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The 2025 Guidelines consolidated the four separate chains introduced in 2020 into a
single 6-link chain of survival that applies to adult and pediatric in-hospital and out-of-hospital
cardiac arrest [citation:2][citation:9]. Option B is incorrect because the 2025 Guidelines specifically
,replaced the separate adult and pediatric chains with one unified chain. Option C is incorrect
because the chain has 6 links, not 8 or 5. Option D is incorrect because the unified chain applies to
both in-hospital and out-of-hospital settings. Understanding the Chain of Survival supports timely
and effective emergency response.
Q2. A rescuer is reviewing the links of the 2025 Chain of Survival. Which sequence correctly identifies
the 6 links?
A. Recognition, CPR, defibrillation, advanced resuscitation, recovery, survivorship
B. Recognition, CPR, defibrillation, advanced resuscitation, post-arrest care, recovery
C. Recognition, defibrillation, CPR, advanced resuscitation, post-arrest care, recovery
D. Recognition, CPR, defibrillation, advanced resuscitation, post-arrest care, recovery and
survivorship
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The unified 6-link Chain of Survival includes recognition and emergency activation,
high-quality CPR, defibrillation, advanced resuscitation, post-cardiac arrest care, and recovery and
survivorship [citation:10][citation:3]. Option A is incorrect because it omits post-cardiac arrest care
and combines recovery and survivorship incorrectly. Option B is incorrect because it omits
survivorship and lists recovery alone. Option C is incorrect because defibrillation follows high-quality
CPR, not the other way around. Understanding the correct sequence supports effective emergency
response.
Q3. A rescuer is reviewing the 2025 Guidelines and notes that prevention is not included as a link in
the Chain of Survival. Which statement best explains this decision?
A. Prevention was deemed unnecessary for survival
B. The writing group considered prevention important but wanted to better define it before adding a
seventh link
C. Prevention is already covered under recognition
D. Prevention applies only to in-hospital cardiac arrest
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The 2025 Guidelines writing group considered prevention important but chose not to
add it as a seventh link because they wanted to better define it first [citation:2][citation:9]. Option A
is incorrect because prevention was not deemed unnecessary; it was acknowledged as important.
,Option C is incorrect because prevention is distinct from recognition and emergency activation.
Option D is incorrect because prevention applies to both in-hospital and out-of-hospital settings.
Understanding the Rationale supports accurate guideline application.
Q4. A rescuer is reviewing the 2025 Guidelines and encounters the term "recognition and emergency
activation." Which statement best describes this first link?
A. It involves performing high-quality chest compressions
B. It involves delivering a shock with an AED
C. It involves recognizing cardiac arrest and activating the emergency response system
D. It involves providing advanced airway management
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The first link in the Chain of Survival is recognition of cardiac arrest and activation of
the emergency response system, which is critical for initiating timely resuscitation [citation:10].
Option A is incorrect because high-quality CPR is the second link, not the first. Option B is incorrect
because defibrillation is the third link. Option D is incorrect because advanced resuscitation is the
fourth link. Understanding the first link supports prompt emergency response.
Q5. A rescuer is reviewing the 2025 Guidelines and notes the emphasis on high-quality CPR. Which
statement best describes why this link is critical?
A. High-quality CPR is optional if an AED is available
B. High-quality CPR provides critical blood flow to the heart and brain until defibrillation or advanced
care is available
C. High-quality CPR replaces the need for defibrillation
D. High-quality CPR is only necessary for pediatric patients
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: High-quality CPR provides critical blood flow to the heart and brain until defibrillation
or advanced care can be provided, making it essential for survival [citation:2]. Option A is incorrect
because high-quality CPR is not optional; it is the foundation of resuscitation. Option C is incorrect
because CPR does not replace defibrillation; both are needed. Option D is incorrect because high-
quality CPR is essential for patients of all ages. Understanding the role of CPR supports effective
resuscitation.
, Q6. A rescuer is reviewing the 2025 Guidelines and notes the term "defibrillation." Which statement
best describes the purpose of this link?
A. Defibrillation provides oxygen to the lungs
B. Defibrillation eliminates an abnormal heart rhythm and restores a regular rhythm
C. Defibrillation replaces the need for chest compressions
D. Defibrillation is only used for pediatric patients
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Defibrillation eliminates an abnormal heart rhythm and can restore a regular rhythm,
and when combined with high-quality CPR, it can double or triple survival chances [citation:4].
Option A is incorrect because defibrillation does not provide oxygen; ventilation does. Option C is
incorrect because defibrillation does not replace chest compressions; both are needed. Option D is
incorrect because defibrillation is used for both adult and pediatric patients. Understanding
defibrillation supports effective resuscitation.
Q7. A rescuer is reviewing the 2025 Guidelines and notes the term "advanced resuscitation." Which
statement best describes this link?
A. It involves basic CPR techniques only
B. It involves advanced interventions such as medications and advanced airway management
C. It replaces the need for high-quality CPR
D. It is only performed by lay rescuers
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Advanced resuscitation involves advanced interventions such as medications,
advanced airway management, and other procedures performed by healthcare professionals
[citation:10]. Option A is incorrect because basic CPR is the second link, not advanced resuscitation.
Option C is incorrect because advanced resuscitation complements, rather than replaces, high-
quality CPR. Option D is incorrect because advanced resuscitation is performed by healthcare
professionals, not lay rescuers. Understanding advanced resuscitation supports coordinated care.
Q8. A rescuer is reviewing the 2025 Guidelines and notes the term "post-cardiac arrest care." Which
statement best describes this link?
