AHA BLS CERTIFICATION TEST REVIEW AND
SOLUTIONS 2026
◉ As of 2017, what percent of people who have an out-of-hospital,
non-traumatic cardiac arrest, treated by EMS, survive to be
discharged from the hospital? Answer: 10%
◉ How does the AHA define adults, children and infants? Answer:
Adults = adolescents (ie., after the onset of puberty and older
Children = 1 year of age to onset of puberty
Infants = less than 1 year of age (excluding newly born infants in the
delivery room)
◉ What are signs of puberty? Answer: Chest or underarm hair in
males and any breast development in females.
◉ The BLS Course focuses on preparing students to perform ___
skills. Answer: CPR
◉ What are the two components of CPR? Answer: 1) chest
compressions
2) breaths
,◉ What do these all describe?:
*Start compressions within 10 seconds
*Push hard, push fast
*Allow complete chest recoil
*Minimize interruptions
*Give effective breaths
*Avoid excessive ventilation Answer: High-Quality CPR
◉ How soon should compressions be started after the recognition of
cardiac arrest? Answer: Within 10 seconds
◉ At what rate should chest compressions be given? Answer: 100-
120 beats/minute
◉ At what depth should chest compressions be given in adults?
Answer: At least 2 inches (5 centimeters)
◉ At what depth should chest compressions be given in children?
Answer: At least 1/3 depth of chest , about 2 inches (5 centimeters)
◉ At what depth should chest compressions be given in infants?
Answer: At least 1/3 depth of chest, about 1.5 inches (4 centimeters)
,◉ High-quality CPR includes minimizing interruptions in chest
compressions. Try to limit interruptions to less than __ seconds.
Answer: 10
◉ What constitutes an effective breath in high-quality CPR? Answer:
Making the chest rise
◉ Chest compressions are more often too shallow than too deep.
However, research suggest that compression depth greater than 2.4
inches (6 centimeters) in adults may cause injuries. If you have a
CPR quality feedback device, what is the optimal target for
compression depth? Answer: 2 - 2.4 inches (5 - 6 cm)
◉ With adults, what is the first thing you should do when you
recognize the adult is not responsive? Answer: Activate EMS or ask
someone to do it.
The sooner you activate EMS, the sooner the next level of care can
arrive. Start high-quality CPR without delay.
◉ ___ bridges the transition from BLS to more advanced care.
Answer: ALS
◉ In which locations do most out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur?
a. healthcare clinics
, b. homes
c. recreational facilities
d. shopping centers Answer: b. homes
◉ Which is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in children?
a. cardiac problem
b. congenital or acquired heart defect
c. respiratory failure or shock
d. infection and sepsis Answer: c. respiratory failure or shock
◉ Which statement best describes sudden cardiac arrest?
a. when respiratory distress in adults occurs and the heart rate does
not change
b. when the heart rate is 40 - 60/min and respirations increase
c. when the blood flow to the heart is blocked and the heart rate
increases
d. when an abnormal rhythm develops and the heart stops beating
unexpectedly Answer: d. when an abnormal rhythm develops and
the heart stops beating unexpectedly
◉ What are the 3 main components of CPR Answer: 1) compressions
SOLUTIONS 2026
◉ As of 2017, what percent of people who have an out-of-hospital,
non-traumatic cardiac arrest, treated by EMS, survive to be
discharged from the hospital? Answer: 10%
◉ How does the AHA define adults, children and infants? Answer:
Adults = adolescents (ie., after the onset of puberty and older
Children = 1 year of age to onset of puberty
Infants = less than 1 year of age (excluding newly born infants in the
delivery room)
◉ What are signs of puberty? Answer: Chest or underarm hair in
males and any breast development in females.
◉ The BLS Course focuses on preparing students to perform ___
skills. Answer: CPR
◉ What are the two components of CPR? Answer: 1) chest
compressions
2) breaths
,◉ What do these all describe?:
*Start compressions within 10 seconds
*Push hard, push fast
*Allow complete chest recoil
*Minimize interruptions
*Give effective breaths
*Avoid excessive ventilation Answer: High-Quality CPR
◉ How soon should compressions be started after the recognition of
cardiac arrest? Answer: Within 10 seconds
◉ At what rate should chest compressions be given? Answer: 100-
120 beats/minute
◉ At what depth should chest compressions be given in adults?
Answer: At least 2 inches (5 centimeters)
◉ At what depth should chest compressions be given in children?
Answer: At least 1/3 depth of chest , about 2 inches (5 centimeters)
◉ At what depth should chest compressions be given in infants?
Answer: At least 1/3 depth of chest, about 1.5 inches (4 centimeters)
,◉ High-quality CPR includes minimizing interruptions in chest
compressions. Try to limit interruptions to less than __ seconds.
Answer: 10
◉ What constitutes an effective breath in high-quality CPR? Answer:
Making the chest rise
◉ Chest compressions are more often too shallow than too deep.
However, research suggest that compression depth greater than 2.4
inches (6 centimeters) in adults may cause injuries. If you have a
CPR quality feedback device, what is the optimal target for
compression depth? Answer: 2 - 2.4 inches (5 - 6 cm)
◉ With adults, what is the first thing you should do when you
recognize the adult is not responsive? Answer: Activate EMS or ask
someone to do it.
The sooner you activate EMS, the sooner the next level of care can
arrive. Start high-quality CPR without delay.
◉ ___ bridges the transition from BLS to more advanced care.
Answer: ALS
◉ In which locations do most out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur?
a. healthcare clinics
, b. homes
c. recreational facilities
d. shopping centers Answer: b. homes
◉ Which is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in children?
a. cardiac problem
b. congenital or acquired heart defect
c. respiratory failure or shock
d. infection and sepsis Answer: c. respiratory failure or shock
◉ Which statement best describes sudden cardiac arrest?
a. when respiratory distress in adults occurs and the heart rate does
not change
b. when the heart rate is 40 - 60/min and respirations increase
c. when the blood flow to the heart is blocked and the heart rate
increases
d. when an abnormal rhythm develops and the heart stops beating
unexpectedly Answer: d. when an abnormal rhythm develops and
the heart stops beating unexpectedly
◉ What are the 3 main components of CPR Answer: 1) compressions
