BLS 2025 Exam Prep Test Bank (Basic Life
Support – AHA Updated)
1. What is the recommended rate for high-quality chest compressions in adult CPR?
A. 60–80 per minute
B. 80–100 per minute
C. 100–120 per minute
D. 120–150 per minute
Rationale: The AHA recommends a compression rate of 100–120 per minute for effective
perfusion. Rates below 100 may not generate adequate blood flow, while compressions above
120 can compromise chest recoil and reduce coronary perfusion pressure. Maintaining consistent
rate and depth improves survival outcomes and ROSC likelihood.
2. What is the correct depth of chest compressions for an adult during CPR?
A. About 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B. About 1.5 inches (4 cm)
C. About 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm)
D. At least 2 inches (5 cm), not more than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
Rationale: Effective compressions require a depth of at least 2 inches but not exceeding 2.4
inches to generate sufficient cardiac output. Too shallow compressions are ineffective, while
excessive depth may cause rib fractures or internal injury. The rescuer should allow full recoil
after each compression.
3. When performing CPR, what is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single
rescuer in adults?
A. 15:2
B. 30:1
C. 30:2
D. 10:1
Rationale: The standard compression-to-ventilation ratio is 30:2 for single-rescuer adult CPR.
This ensures sufficient perfusion with minimal interruption in chest compressions. The 15:2 ratio
applies to two-rescuer infant and child CPR, reflecting smaller lung capacity and higher oxygen
demands.
,4. In two-rescuer adult CPR, when should rescuers switch roles to prevent fatigue?
A. Every 5 minutes
B. Every 3 cycles
C. Every 2 minutes or 5 cycles of 30:2
D. After ROSC is achieved
Rationale: Fatigue decreases compression quality, often within 2 minutes. Switching every 2
minutes allows both rescuers to maintain optimal compression rate and depth. The switch should
occur quickly (within 5 seconds) to minimize interruptions in chest compressions.
5. What is the correct hand placement for adult chest compressions?
A. Two fingers below the nipple line
B. Heel of one hand on the lower half of the sternum
C. Heel of one hand on the center of the chest, lower half of the sternum
D. Heel of both hands on the upper sternum
Rationale: The rescuer places the heel of one hand on the lower half of the sternum, with the
other hand on top. This position maximizes compression depth and efficiency while minimizing
the risk of injury. Avoid compressions over the xiphoid process to prevent abdominal trauma.
6. What should you do if a victim has a pulse but is not breathing normally?
A. Begin chest compressions
B. Wait for normal breathing to return
C. Give 1 breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths/minute)
D. Start rescue breathing at 2 breaths per 30 seconds
Rationale: For a victim with a pulse but no normal breathing, provide rescue breaths at one
breath every 6 seconds. This supports oxygen delivery while preventing hyperventilation.
Reassess the pulse every 2 minutes to identify cardiac arrest early if it develops.
7. When using an AED, what is the first step after turning it on?
A. Deliver a shock immediately
B. Place pads on the chest
C. Plug in the connector
D. Follow the AED prompts and attach pads to the patient’s bare chest
Rationale: The AED provides step-by-step instructions after it’s powered on. Attach pads to a
bare, dry chest as directed. Correct pad placement (right upper chest, left lateral chest) ensures
accurate rhythm analysis and effective defibrillation when needed.
8. What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for 2-rescuer child CPR?
A. 30:2
,B. 15:2
C. 10:1
D. 20:2
Rationale: In 2-rescuer child CPR, the ratio changes to 15 compressions and 2 breaths,
allowing more frequent ventilation since children often experience respiratory-related cardiac
arrest. This approach maintains adequate oxygenation while still ensuring effective circulation.
9. What is the correct compression depth for infants during CPR?
A. 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B. About 1.5 inches (4 cm)
C. 2 inches (5 cm)
D. 3 inches (7.5 cm)
Rationale: The AHA recommends compressing 1.5 inches (4 cm) deep in infants. Depth is
approximately one-third of the chest’s anterior-posterior diameter. Proper depth ensures effective
perfusion without excessive pressure that could cause skeletal injury.
10. Which method is recommended to check for a pulse in an adult?
A. Carotid artery
B. Brachial artery
C. Femoral artery
D. Radial artery
Rationale: The carotid pulse is the most reliable site during CPR because it’s centrally located
and accessible. The radial pulse may disappear during low perfusion states, leading to inaccurate
assessment. Check for no more than 10 seconds before beginning compressions.
11. What is the correct compression depth for children during CPR?
A. 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B. 1.5 inches (4 cm)
C. About 2 inches (5 cm)
D. 3 inches (7.5 cm)
Rationale: For children, compress the chest about 2 inches (5 cm), or one-third of the anterior–
posterior diameter. This provides adequate cardiac output without risking internal injury. Avoid
compressing more than 2.4 inches to prevent trauma to the ribs or internal organs.
12. When performing CPR on an unresponsive adult with no pulse, how should compressions be
delivered?
A. Hard and slow
B. Shallow and fast
, C. Hard and fast at 100–120 per minute, allowing full recoil
D. Deep and slow with short pauses
Rationale: The effectiveness of CPR depends on proper rate and depth. Compressions should be
hard and fast (100–120/min) with complete recoil between compressions to allow venous
return. Frequent interruptions or shallow compressions reduce coronary perfusion and ROSC
rates.
13. What is the first step in the BLS assessment sequence?
A. Check the pulse
B. Verify scene safety
C. Check breathing
D. Attach AED
Rationale: Scene safety is the first step before approaching any victim. Rescuers must ensure
the environment is safe for themselves and others to prevent secondary injury. Only after
confirming safety should they proceed to assess responsiveness, breathing, and circulation.
14. If a choking adult becomes unresponsive, what is the next best step?
A. Perform abdominal thrusts
B. Begin CPR starting with chest compressions
C. Check for pulse first
D. Deliver 5 back blows
Rationale: When a choking victim becomes unresponsive, rescuers should begin CPR starting
with compressions. Each time the airway is opened for breaths, look for a visible obstruction and
remove it if seen. This approach maintains oxygenation and circulation simultaneously.
15. For a child with a pulse but inadequate breathing, what is the correct rescue breathing rate?
A. 1 breath every 3 seconds
B. 1 breath every 10 seconds
C. 1 breath every 2–3 seconds (20–30 breaths per minute)
D. 2 breaths every 5 seconds
Rationale: Children require 1 breath every 2–3 seconds due to higher metabolic and oxygen
needs. Avoid overventilating, which can increase intrathoracic pressure and reduce venous
return. Reassess pulse every 2 minutes to detect potential cardiac arrest.
16. Which of the following is a sign of high-quality CPR?
A. Excessive ventilation
B. Frequent pauses
C. Incomplete chest recoil
Support – AHA Updated)
1. What is the recommended rate for high-quality chest compressions in adult CPR?
A. 60–80 per minute
B. 80–100 per minute
C. 100–120 per minute
D. 120–150 per minute
Rationale: The AHA recommends a compression rate of 100–120 per minute for effective
perfusion. Rates below 100 may not generate adequate blood flow, while compressions above
120 can compromise chest recoil and reduce coronary perfusion pressure. Maintaining consistent
rate and depth improves survival outcomes and ROSC likelihood.
2. What is the correct depth of chest compressions for an adult during CPR?
A. About 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B. About 1.5 inches (4 cm)
C. About 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm)
D. At least 2 inches (5 cm), not more than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
Rationale: Effective compressions require a depth of at least 2 inches but not exceeding 2.4
inches to generate sufficient cardiac output. Too shallow compressions are ineffective, while
excessive depth may cause rib fractures or internal injury. The rescuer should allow full recoil
after each compression.
3. When performing CPR, what is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single
rescuer in adults?
A. 15:2
B. 30:1
C. 30:2
D. 10:1
Rationale: The standard compression-to-ventilation ratio is 30:2 for single-rescuer adult CPR.
This ensures sufficient perfusion with minimal interruption in chest compressions. The 15:2 ratio
applies to two-rescuer infant and child CPR, reflecting smaller lung capacity and higher oxygen
demands.
,4. In two-rescuer adult CPR, when should rescuers switch roles to prevent fatigue?
A. Every 5 minutes
B. Every 3 cycles
C. Every 2 minutes or 5 cycles of 30:2
D. After ROSC is achieved
Rationale: Fatigue decreases compression quality, often within 2 minutes. Switching every 2
minutes allows both rescuers to maintain optimal compression rate and depth. The switch should
occur quickly (within 5 seconds) to minimize interruptions in chest compressions.
5. What is the correct hand placement for adult chest compressions?
A. Two fingers below the nipple line
B. Heel of one hand on the lower half of the sternum
C. Heel of one hand on the center of the chest, lower half of the sternum
D. Heel of both hands on the upper sternum
Rationale: The rescuer places the heel of one hand on the lower half of the sternum, with the
other hand on top. This position maximizes compression depth and efficiency while minimizing
the risk of injury. Avoid compressions over the xiphoid process to prevent abdominal trauma.
6. What should you do if a victim has a pulse but is not breathing normally?
A. Begin chest compressions
B. Wait for normal breathing to return
C. Give 1 breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths/minute)
D. Start rescue breathing at 2 breaths per 30 seconds
Rationale: For a victim with a pulse but no normal breathing, provide rescue breaths at one
breath every 6 seconds. This supports oxygen delivery while preventing hyperventilation.
Reassess the pulse every 2 minutes to identify cardiac arrest early if it develops.
7. When using an AED, what is the first step after turning it on?
A. Deliver a shock immediately
B. Place pads on the chest
C. Plug in the connector
D. Follow the AED prompts and attach pads to the patient’s bare chest
Rationale: The AED provides step-by-step instructions after it’s powered on. Attach pads to a
bare, dry chest as directed. Correct pad placement (right upper chest, left lateral chest) ensures
accurate rhythm analysis and effective defibrillation when needed.
8. What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for 2-rescuer child CPR?
A. 30:2
,B. 15:2
C. 10:1
D. 20:2
Rationale: In 2-rescuer child CPR, the ratio changes to 15 compressions and 2 breaths,
allowing more frequent ventilation since children often experience respiratory-related cardiac
arrest. This approach maintains adequate oxygenation while still ensuring effective circulation.
9. What is the correct compression depth for infants during CPR?
A. 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B. About 1.5 inches (4 cm)
C. 2 inches (5 cm)
D. 3 inches (7.5 cm)
Rationale: The AHA recommends compressing 1.5 inches (4 cm) deep in infants. Depth is
approximately one-third of the chest’s anterior-posterior diameter. Proper depth ensures effective
perfusion without excessive pressure that could cause skeletal injury.
10. Which method is recommended to check for a pulse in an adult?
A. Carotid artery
B. Brachial artery
C. Femoral artery
D. Radial artery
Rationale: The carotid pulse is the most reliable site during CPR because it’s centrally located
and accessible. The radial pulse may disappear during low perfusion states, leading to inaccurate
assessment. Check for no more than 10 seconds before beginning compressions.
11. What is the correct compression depth for children during CPR?
A. 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B. 1.5 inches (4 cm)
C. About 2 inches (5 cm)
D. 3 inches (7.5 cm)
Rationale: For children, compress the chest about 2 inches (5 cm), or one-third of the anterior–
posterior diameter. This provides adequate cardiac output without risking internal injury. Avoid
compressing more than 2.4 inches to prevent trauma to the ribs or internal organs.
12. When performing CPR on an unresponsive adult with no pulse, how should compressions be
delivered?
A. Hard and slow
B. Shallow and fast
, C. Hard and fast at 100–120 per minute, allowing full recoil
D. Deep and slow with short pauses
Rationale: The effectiveness of CPR depends on proper rate and depth. Compressions should be
hard and fast (100–120/min) with complete recoil between compressions to allow venous
return. Frequent interruptions or shallow compressions reduce coronary perfusion and ROSC
rates.
13. What is the first step in the BLS assessment sequence?
A. Check the pulse
B. Verify scene safety
C. Check breathing
D. Attach AED
Rationale: Scene safety is the first step before approaching any victim. Rescuers must ensure
the environment is safe for themselves and others to prevent secondary injury. Only after
confirming safety should they proceed to assess responsiveness, breathing, and circulation.
14. If a choking adult becomes unresponsive, what is the next best step?
A. Perform abdominal thrusts
B. Begin CPR starting with chest compressions
C. Check for pulse first
D. Deliver 5 back blows
Rationale: When a choking victim becomes unresponsive, rescuers should begin CPR starting
with compressions. Each time the airway is opened for breaths, look for a visible obstruction and
remove it if seen. This approach maintains oxygenation and circulation simultaneously.
15. For a child with a pulse but inadequate breathing, what is the correct rescue breathing rate?
A. 1 breath every 3 seconds
B. 1 breath every 10 seconds
C. 1 breath every 2–3 seconds (20–30 breaths per minute)
D. 2 breaths every 5 seconds
Rationale: Children require 1 breath every 2–3 seconds due to higher metabolic and oxygen
needs. Avoid overventilating, which can increase intrathoracic pressure and reduce venous
return. Reassess pulse every 2 minutes to detect potential cardiac arrest.
16. Which of the following is a sign of high-quality CPR?
A. Excessive ventilation
B. Frequent pauses
C. Incomplete chest recoil
