CPR/BLS Certification Exam 2026 | Emergency Response
Q&A with Rationales
1. What is the first action a rescuer should take when finding an unresponsive adult?
A. Start chest compressions immediately
B. Check the scene for safety
C. Give two rescue breaths
D. Look for medical identification
Correct Answer: B. Check the scene for safety
Rationale:
Before approaching any victim, rescuers must ensure the environment is safe to prevent
injury to themselves or others. Entering an unsafe scene may create additional victims.
2. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-rescuer adult CPR?
A. 15:2
B. 20:2
C. 30:2
D. 50:2
Correct Answer: C. 30:2
Rationale:
For adult CPR with one rescuer, the recommended ratio is 30 compressions followed by 2
breaths to maintain circulation and oxygenation.
3. What is the recommended depth of chest compressions for adults?
A. At least 1 inch
B. At least 2 inches
C. At least 4 inches
D. About 5 inches
Correct Answer: B. At least 2 inches
Rationale:
Effective adult compressions should be at least 2 inches deep but not excessively deep to
adequately circulate blood during cardiac arrest.
,4. What is the recommended compression rate during CPR?
A. 40–60 compressions per minute
B. 60–80 compressions per minute
C. 100–120 compressions per minute
D. 140–160 compressions per minute
Correct Answer: C. 100–120 compressions per minute
Rationale:
High-quality CPR requires fast compressions to maintain blood flow. Rates slower than 100
or faster than 120 reduce effectiveness.
5. During CPR, complete chest recoil is important because it:
A. Prevents rib fractures
B. Allows the heart to refill with blood
C. Decreases rescuer fatigue
D. Improves rescue breathing
Correct Answer: B. Allows the heart to refill with blood
Rationale:
Allowing full chest recoil between compressions enables the heart chambers to refill,
improving circulation during CPR.
6. When should an AED be used?
A. Only after 5 minutes of CPR
B. As soon as it becomes available
C. Only by doctors
D. After rescue breaths are given
Correct Answer: B. As soon as it becomes available
Rationale:
Early defibrillation greatly increases survival in cardiac arrest caused by shockable rhythms
such as ventricular fibrillation.
7. What should you do immediately after delivering an AED shock?
A. Recheck pulse
,B. Turn off the AED
C. Resume CPR immediately
D. Give rescue breaths only
Correct Answer: C. Resume CPR immediately
Rationale:
After a shock, chest compressions should resume immediately to maintain circulation until
rhythm analysis occurs again.
8. Which pulse site is recommended for checking circulation in an adult?
A. Brachial artery
B. Femoral artery
C. Carotid artery
D. Radial artery
Correct Answer: C. Carotid artery
Rationale:
The carotid pulse is easiest to assess during emergencies because it is a major central artery.
9. How long should a rescuer check for breathing and pulse?
A. No more than 10 seconds
B. 30 seconds
C. 1 minute
D. 2 minutes
Correct Answer: A. No more than 10 seconds
Rationale:
Delays in CPR reduce survival. Pulse and breathing checks should be brief and efficient.
10. A victim is gasping but unresponsive. What should the rescuer do?
A. Place the victim on their side and wait
B. Consider gasping normal breathing
C. Begin CPR immediately
D. Give water to the victim
, Correct Answer: C. Begin CPR immediately
Rationale:
Agonal gasps are not normal breathing and are common during cardiac arrest. CPR should
begin immediately.
11. What is the correct hand placement for adult chest compressions?
A. Upper abdomen
B. Lower half of the sternum
C. Left side of the chest
D. Over the ribs
Correct Answer: B. Lower half of the sternum
Rationale:
Correct hand placement ensures effective compressions while reducing injury risk.
12. Which victim would need rescue breathing but not compressions?
A. A conscious choking victim
B. A victim with a pulse but not breathing
C. A victim with no pulse
D. A victim having a seizure
Correct Answer: B. A victim with a pulse but not breathing
Rationale:
If a pulse is present but breathing is absent, rescue breaths are provided without chest
compressions.
13. What is the recommended ventilation rate for an adult with a pulse?
A. 1 breath every 2–3 seconds
B. 1 breath every 5–6 seconds
C. 1 breath every 10 seconds
D. 2 breaths every second
Correct Answer: B. 1 breath every 5–6 seconds
Rationale:
Q&A with Rationales
1. What is the first action a rescuer should take when finding an unresponsive adult?
A. Start chest compressions immediately
B. Check the scene for safety
C. Give two rescue breaths
D. Look for medical identification
Correct Answer: B. Check the scene for safety
Rationale:
Before approaching any victim, rescuers must ensure the environment is safe to prevent
injury to themselves or others. Entering an unsafe scene may create additional victims.
2. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-rescuer adult CPR?
A. 15:2
B. 20:2
C. 30:2
D. 50:2
Correct Answer: C. 30:2
Rationale:
For adult CPR with one rescuer, the recommended ratio is 30 compressions followed by 2
breaths to maintain circulation and oxygenation.
3. What is the recommended depth of chest compressions for adults?
A. At least 1 inch
B. At least 2 inches
C. At least 4 inches
D. About 5 inches
Correct Answer: B. At least 2 inches
Rationale:
Effective adult compressions should be at least 2 inches deep but not excessively deep to
adequately circulate blood during cardiac arrest.
,4. What is the recommended compression rate during CPR?
A. 40–60 compressions per minute
B. 60–80 compressions per minute
C. 100–120 compressions per minute
D. 140–160 compressions per minute
Correct Answer: C. 100–120 compressions per minute
Rationale:
High-quality CPR requires fast compressions to maintain blood flow. Rates slower than 100
or faster than 120 reduce effectiveness.
5. During CPR, complete chest recoil is important because it:
A. Prevents rib fractures
B. Allows the heart to refill with blood
C. Decreases rescuer fatigue
D. Improves rescue breathing
Correct Answer: B. Allows the heart to refill with blood
Rationale:
Allowing full chest recoil between compressions enables the heart chambers to refill,
improving circulation during CPR.
6. When should an AED be used?
A. Only after 5 minutes of CPR
B. As soon as it becomes available
C. Only by doctors
D. After rescue breaths are given
Correct Answer: B. As soon as it becomes available
Rationale:
Early defibrillation greatly increases survival in cardiac arrest caused by shockable rhythms
such as ventricular fibrillation.
7. What should you do immediately after delivering an AED shock?
A. Recheck pulse
,B. Turn off the AED
C. Resume CPR immediately
D. Give rescue breaths only
Correct Answer: C. Resume CPR immediately
Rationale:
After a shock, chest compressions should resume immediately to maintain circulation until
rhythm analysis occurs again.
8. Which pulse site is recommended for checking circulation in an adult?
A. Brachial artery
B. Femoral artery
C. Carotid artery
D. Radial artery
Correct Answer: C. Carotid artery
Rationale:
The carotid pulse is easiest to assess during emergencies because it is a major central artery.
9. How long should a rescuer check for breathing and pulse?
A. No more than 10 seconds
B. 30 seconds
C. 1 minute
D. 2 minutes
Correct Answer: A. No more than 10 seconds
Rationale:
Delays in CPR reduce survival. Pulse and breathing checks should be brief and efficient.
10. A victim is gasping but unresponsive. What should the rescuer do?
A. Place the victim on their side and wait
B. Consider gasping normal breathing
C. Begin CPR immediately
D. Give water to the victim
, Correct Answer: C. Begin CPR immediately
Rationale:
Agonal gasps are not normal breathing and are common during cardiac arrest. CPR should
begin immediately.
11. What is the correct hand placement for adult chest compressions?
A. Upper abdomen
B. Lower half of the sternum
C. Left side of the chest
D. Over the ribs
Correct Answer: B. Lower half of the sternum
Rationale:
Correct hand placement ensures effective compressions while reducing injury risk.
12. Which victim would need rescue breathing but not compressions?
A. A conscious choking victim
B. A victim with a pulse but not breathing
C. A victim with no pulse
D. A victim having a seizure
Correct Answer: B. A victim with a pulse but not breathing
Rationale:
If a pulse is present but breathing is absent, rescue breaths are provided without chest
compressions.
13. What is the recommended ventilation rate for an adult with a pulse?
A. 1 breath every 2–3 seconds
B. 1 breath every 5–6 seconds
C. 1 breath every 10 seconds
D. 2 breaths every second
Correct Answer: B. 1 breath every 5–6 seconds
Rationale:
