American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor IT
Recertification Assessment Exam (2026) — 90
Practice Questions and Verified Answers Graded A+
Introduction & Overview
This practice assessment is designed for current American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED
Instructors and Instructor Trainers (ITs) who are seeking recertification. The exam reflects
the knowledge, skills, and instructional competencies required to maintain American Red
Cross certification and teaching standards.
The goal of this assessment is to ensure instructors:
Demonstrate mastery of First Aid, CPR, and AED guidelines based on the latest
evidence-based practices.
Apply correct psychomotor skills and scenario-based decision-making to teach
learners effectively.
Understand and implement adult learning principles, classroom management, and
instructional feedback.
Ensure safety, compliance, and adherence to Red Cross policies during training
sessions.
Identify, prioritize, and respond to emergency situations in line with current Red Cross
standards.
1. The first step in any emergency response is:
A. Administer care
B. Ensure scene safety
C. Move the victim
D. Call the Red Cross office
Rationale: Always ensure scene safety to protect yourself and the victim
before providing care.
2. Which of the following is a sign of life-threatening bleeding?
A. Slight redness
B. Spurting blood
,C. Bruising only
D. Small puncture marks
Rationale: Spurting blood indicates arterial bleeding and requires
immediate control.
3. When teaching bleeding control, the instructor emphasizes:
A. Elevation only
B. Cool compresses
C. Direct pressure first
D. Delayed care
Rationale: Direct pressure is the most effective first step in controlling
bleeding.
4. For a suspected spinal injury after a fall, the instructor should teach
to:
A. Ask the victim to sit up
B. Move the head only
C. Minimize movement until EMS arrives
D. Roll the victim immediately
Rationale: Movement can worsen spinal injuries; keep the head and neck
stabilized.
5. What is the recommended depth of chest compressions for an
adult?
A. 1 inch
B. 1.5 inches
C. At least 2 inches
D. 3 inches
, Rationale: Adult compressions should be at least 2 inches deep to be
effective.
6. When teaching CPR, the compression-to-breath ratio for adults is:
A. 10:2
B. 30:2
C. 15:2
D. 5:1
Rationale: The standard compression-to-ventilation ratio for adults is 30:2.
7. AED pads should NOT be placed:
A. On the right upper chest
B. Directly over a pacemaker
C. On bare skin
D. As instructed by the AED
Rationale: Avoid placing pads where implanted devices are located; move
slightly if necessary.
8. An instructor explains that early CPR is critical because it:
A. Replaces all EMS functions
B. Maintains blood flow to vital organs
C. Delays the need for AED
D. Stops all bleeding
Rationale: CPR helps circulate blood to organs until advanced care
arrives.
9. In teaching first aid for shock, the instructor emphasizes:
Recertification Assessment Exam (2026) — 90
Practice Questions and Verified Answers Graded A+
Introduction & Overview
This practice assessment is designed for current American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED
Instructors and Instructor Trainers (ITs) who are seeking recertification. The exam reflects
the knowledge, skills, and instructional competencies required to maintain American Red
Cross certification and teaching standards.
The goal of this assessment is to ensure instructors:
Demonstrate mastery of First Aid, CPR, and AED guidelines based on the latest
evidence-based practices.
Apply correct psychomotor skills and scenario-based decision-making to teach
learners effectively.
Understand and implement adult learning principles, classroom management, and
instructional feedback.
Ensure safety, compliance, and adherence to Red Cross policies during training
sessions.
Identify, prioritize, and respond to emergency situations in line with current Red Cross
standards.
1. The first step in any emergency response is:
A. Administer care
B. Ensure scene safety
C. Move the victim
D. Call the Red Cross office
Rationale: Always ensure scene safety to protect yourself and the victim
before providing care.
2. Which of the following is a sign of life-threatening bleeding?
A. Slight redness
B. Spurting blood
,C. Bruising only
D. Small puncture marks
Rationale: Spurting blood indicates arterial bleeding and requires
immediate control.
3. When teaching bleeding control, the instructor emphasizes:
A. Elevation only
B. Cool compresses
C. Direct pressure first
D. Delayed care
Rationale: Direct pressure is the most effective first step in controlling
bleeding.
4. For a suspected spinal injury after a fall, the instructor should teach
to:
A. Ask the victim to sit up
B. Move the head only
C. Minimize movement until EMS arrives
D. Roll the victim immediately
Rationale: Movement can worsen spinal injuries; keep the head and neck
stabilized.
5. What is the recommended depth of chest compressions for an
adult?
A. 1 inch
B. 1.5 inches
C. At least 2 inches
D. 3 inches
, Rationale: Adult compressions should be at least 2 inches deep to be
effective.
6. When teaching CPR, the compression-to-breath ratio for adults is:
A. 10:2
B. 30:2
C. 15:2
D. 5:1
Rationale: The standard compression-to-ventilation ratio for adults is 30:2.
7. AED pads should NOT be placed:
A. On the right upper chest
B. Directly over a pacemaker
C. On bare skin
D. As instructed by the AED
Rationale: Avoid placing pads where implanted devices are located; move
slightly if necessary.
8. An instructor explains that early CPR is critical because it:
A. Replaces all EMS functions
B. Maintains blood flow to vital organs
C. Delays the need for AED
D. Stops all bleeding
Rationale: CPR helps circulate blood to organs until advanced care
arrives.
9. In teaching first aid for shock, the instructor emphasizes:
