1
AHA BLS Practice Test Expected
Questions 1–200 || Questions
with Verified Answers | 100%
Pass Guaranteed | Graded A+
1. A 54-year-old man collapses in a shopping mall. A bystander finds him unresponsive and
not breathing normally. According to the AHA BLS sequence for a lone rescuer, which
action should be performed FIRST?
A. Open the airway and give 2 rescue breaths before any compressions
B. Check for response and breathing simultaneously, then activate emergency response
and get an AED
C. Begin chest compressions immediately and delay activating emergency response until
CPR has been performed for 2 minutes
D. Wait for the AED to arrive before touching the patient
ANS: B
Explanation: The AHA BLS sequence for a lone rescuer outside a hospital is: verify
scene safety, check responsiveness and breathing simultaneously (no more than 10
seconds), activate emergency response and retrieve an AED, then check pulse and begin
compressions if no pulse. Giving breaths first delays compressions and defibrillation.
Compressing before activating emergency response delays AED arrival.
,2
2. Which set of parameters defines HIGH-QUALITY chest compressions for an ADULT victim
per current AHA BLS guidance?
A. Rate 100-120/min, depth at least 2 inches (5 cm), allow full chest recoil, minimize
interruptions
B. Rate 80-100/min, depth 1 inch (2.5 cm), partial recoil, ventilate 20 breaths/min
C. Rate 120-140/min, depth 3 inches (7.5 cm), full recoil, ventilate 12-20 breaths/min
D. Rate 100/min exactly, depth 1.5 inches (4 cm), full recoil, hyperventilate to increase
oxygenation
ANS: A
Explanation: AHA defines high-quality CPR for adults as: rate 100-120/min, depth at
least 2 inches (5 cm) but no more than 2.4 inches, full chest recoil, minimize interruptions
(<10 seconds), and avoid excessive ventilation. Depth under 2 inches is inadequate.
Hyperventilation increases intrathoracic pressure and decreases coronary/cerebral
perfusion.
3. A rescuer observes brief, irregular, gasping respirations in an unresponsive adult who
was found down 30 seconds ago. What is the rescuer's MOST appropriate interpretation
and action?
A. Treat the gasps as effective breathing; monitor for 1 minute before deciding
B. Recognize agonal gasps as a sign of cardiac arrest; check pulse and begin CPR if no
pulse
,3
C. Assume seizure activity and roll the patient into the recovery position
D. Provide rescue breaths only since the patient is breathing
ANS: B
Explanation: Agonal gasps are NOT effective breathing. They are common in the first
minutes after cardiac arrest and reflect brainstem ischemia. The rescuer should check
pulse (no more than 10 seconds) and begin CPR if no pulse. Providing breaths only would
delay compressions.
4. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer performing CPR
on an adult?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
C. 10:2
D. 5:1
ANS: B
Explanation: The universal compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-rescuer adult
CPR is 30 compressions to 2 breaths. Option A (15:2) is used for two-rescuer child and
infant CPR. Options C and D are incorrect ratios.
, 4
5. A healthcare provider is performing two-rescuer CPR on an adult. When should the
rescuers switch roles?
A. Every 5 cycles or about every 2 minutes
B. Every 10 cycles or about every 4 minutes
C. Every 2 cycles or about every 1 minute
D. Only when the compressor becomes fatigued
ANS: A
Explanation: Rescuers should switch roles approximately every 5 cycles (about 2
minutes) to prevent fatigue and maintain high-quality compressions. Waiting for fatigue
results in decreased compression quality. Options B and C are incorrect intervals.
6. During adult CPR, what is the maximum allowable interruption in chest compressions?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 15 seconds
D. 20 seconds
ANS: B
Explanation: Interruptions in chest compressions should be minimized and should not
exceed 10 seconds. This includes pauses for rhythm analysis, defibrillation, and
ventilations. Longer interruptions decrease coronary perfusion pressure and reduce
survival rates.
AHA BLS Practice Test Expected
Questions 1–200 || Questions
with Verified Answers | 100%
Pass Guaranteed | Graded A+
1. A 54-year-old man collapses in a shopping mall. A bystander finds him unresponsive and
not breathing normally. According to the AHA BLS sequence for a lone rescuer, which
action should be performed FIRST?
A. Open the airway and give 2 rescue breaths before any compressions
B. Check for response and breathing simultaneously, then activate emergency response
and get an AED
C. Begin chest compressions immediately and delay activating emergency response until
CPR has been performed for 2 minutes
D. Wait for the AED to arrive before touching the patient
ANS: B
Explanation: The AHA BLS sequence for a lone rescuer outside a hospital is: verify
scene safety, check responsiveness and breathing simultaneously (no more than 10
seconds), activate emergency response and retrieve an AED, then check pulse and begin
compressions if no pulse. Giving breaths first delays compressions and defibrillation.
Compressing before activating emergency response delays AED arrival.
,2
2. Which set of parameters defines HIGH-QUALITY chest compressions for an ADULT victim
per current AHA BLS guidance?
A. Rate 100-120/min, depth at least 2 inches (5 cm), allow full chest recoil, minimize
interruptions
B. Rate 80-100/min, depth 1 inch (2.5 cm), partial recoil, ventilate 20 breaths/min
C. Rate 120-140/min, depth 3 inches (7.5 cm), full recoil, ventilate 12-20 breaths/min
D. Rate 100/min exactly, depth 1.5 inches (4 cm), full recoil, hyperventilate to increase
oxygenation
ANS: A
Explanation: AHA defines high-quality CPR for adults as: rate 100-120/min, depth at
least 2 inches (5 cm) but no more than 2.4 inches, full chest recoil, minimize interruptions
(<10 seconds), and avoid excessive ventilation. Depth under 2 inches is inadequate.
Hyperventilation increases intrathoracic pressure and decreases coronary/cerebral
perfusion.
3. A rescuer observes brief, irregular, gasping respirations in an unresponsive adult who
was found down 30 seconds ago. What is the rescuer's MOST appropriate interpretation
and action?
A. Treat the gasps as effective breathing; monitor for 1 minute before deciding
B. Recognize agonal gasps as a sign of cardiac arrest; check pulse and begin CPR if no
pulse
,3
C. Assume seizure activity and roll the patient into the recovery position
D. Provide rescue breaths only since the patient is breathing
ANS: B
Explanation: Agonal gasps are NOT effective breathing. They are common in the first
minutes after cardiac arrest and reflect brainstem ischemia. The rescuer should check
pulse (no more than 10 seconds) and begin CPR if no pulse. Providing breaths only would
delay compressions.
4. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer performing CPR
on an adult?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
C. 10:2
D. 5:1
ANS: B
Explanation: The universal compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-rescuer adult
CPR is 30 compressions to 2 breaths. Option A (15:2) is used for two-rescuer child and
infant CPR. Options C and D are incorrect ratios.
, 4
5. A healthcare provider is performing two-rescuer CPR on an adult. When should the
rescuers switch roles?
A. Every 5 cycles or about every 2 minutes
B. Every 10 cycles or about every 4 minutes
C. Every 2 cycles or about every 1 minute
D. Only when the compressor becomes fatigued
ANS: A
Explanation: Rescuers should switch roles approximately every 5 cycles (about 2
minutes) to prevent fatigue and maintain high-quality compressions. Waiting for fatigue
results in decreased compression quality. Options B and C are incorrect intervals.
6. During adult CPR, what is the maximum allowable interruption in chest compressions?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 15 seconds
D. 20 seconds
ANS: B
Explanation: Interruptions in chest compressions should be minimized and should not
exceed 10 seconds. This includes pauses for rhythm analysis, defibrillation, and
ventilations. Longer interruptions decrease coronary perfusion pressure and reduce
survival rates.
