AHA BLS Exam 2026 Latest Update - Key
Concepts & Practice Questions | Verified Q&A
- Already Graded A+
Section 1: High-Quality CPR
1. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer
performing CPR on an adult?
A) 30:1
B) 30:2
C) 15:1
D) 15:2
Answer: B) 30:2
Rationale: The 2025 AHA Guidelines recommend a ratio of 30 compressions to 2
ventilations for single-rescuer CPR on adults, children, and infants (except
newborns).
2. How often should rescuers switch roles during two-rescuer CPR to prevent
fatigue and maintain high-quality compressions?
A) After every cycle of CPR
B) After every two cycles of CPR
C) After every five cycles of CPR (approximately 2 minutes)
D) After every 10 cycles of CPR
Answer: C) After every five cycles of CPR (approximately 2 minutes)
Rationale: Rescuers should switch roles approximately every 2 minutes, or after 5
cycles of 30:2. This prevents fatigue, which can lead to inadequate compression
depth and rate.
,3. What is the recommended rate for chest compressions for all age groups
(excluding newborns)?
A) 80-100 per minute
B) 100-120 per minute
C) 120-140 per minute
D) 140-160 per minute
Answer: B) 100-120 per minute
Rationale: The 2025 Guidelines continue to recommend a compression rate of 100
to 120 per minute to optimize perfusion while allowing for full chest recoil.
4. What is the correct depth for chest compressions on an adult?
A) 1.5 to 2 inches (4 to 5 cm)
B) At least 2 inches (5 cm), but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
C) At least 2.4 inches (6 cm)
D) One-third the depth of the chest
Answer: B) At least 2 inches (5 cm), but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
Rationale: High-quality CPR for adults requires compressing the chest to a depth of
at least 2 inches (5 cm) but not exceeding 2.4 inches (6 cm).
5. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of high-quality CPR?
A) Starting chest compressions within 10 seconds of recognition of cardiac arrest
B) Pushing hard and fast
C) Minimizing interruptions
D) Leaning on the chest between compressions
Answer: D) Leaning on the chest between compressions
,Rationale: High-quality CPR requires allowing for complete chest recoil. Leaning on
the chest between compressions prevents the heart from refilling with blood,
reducing the effectiveness of CPR.
6. In the 2025 AHA Guidelines, what term is recommended to replace "rescue
breaths"?
A) Assisted breaths
B) Lifesaving breaths
C) Breaths
D) Ventilations
Answer: C) Breaths
Rationale: The 2025 Guidelines simplify terminology. The term "rescue breaths" is
no longer used. "Breaths" refers to giving breaths when a person has a pulse but
isn't breathing, or in conjunction with CPR. "Ventilations" is reserved for
healthcare professionals using a bag-mask device or advanced airway.
7. According to the 2025 AHA Guidelines, what is the preferred term for non-
healthcare professionals providing care?
A) Bystander
B) Lay responder
C) Lay rescuer
D) Good Samaritan
Answer: C) Lay rescuer
Rationale: The term "lay rescuer" is now preferred over "bystander" because it
encourages action and clarifies the role of a person without medical training in an
emergency.
, 8. Why is it important to allow for complete chest recoil during CPR?
A) It increases the rescuer's endurance.
B) It prevents rib fractures.
C) It allows the heart to refill with blood between compressions.
D) It makes it easier to count compressions.
Answer: C) It allows the heart to refill with blood between compressions.
Rationale: Full chest recoil creates a negative pressure that draws blood back into
the heart, allowing for adequate filling and increasing the effectiveness of the
subsequent compression.
9. What is the appropriate depth of chest compressions for an infant (under 1
year old)?
A) About 1.5 inches (4 cm)
B) At least 2 inches (5 cm)
C) About 2 inches (5 cm)
D) One-third the depth of the chest, about 1.5 inches (4 cm)
Answer: D) One-third the depth of the chest, about 1.5 inches (4 cm)
Rationale: Infant compressions should be about one-third the anteroposterior
diameter of the chest, which is approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm).
10. In a hospital setting, you find an unresponsive patient who is not breathing
normally but has a pulse. You should:
A) Start CPR immediately.
B) Provide breaths at a rate of 10-12 per minute.
C) Activate the emergency response system and get an AED.
D) Place the patient in the recovery position.
Answer: B) Provide breaths at a rate of 10-12 per minute.
Concepts & Practice Questions | Verified Q&A
- Already Graded A+
Section 1: High-Quality CPR
1. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer
performing CPR on an adult?
A) 30:1
B) 30:2
C) 15:1
D) 15:2
Answer: B) 30:2
Rationale: The 2025 AHA Guidelines recommend a ratio of 30 compressions to 2
ventilations for single-rescuer CPR on adults, children, and infants (except
newborns).
2. How often should rescuers switch roles during two-rescuer CPR to prevent
fatigue and maintain high-quality compressions?
A) After every cycle of CPR
B) After every two cycles of CPR
C) After every five cycles of CPR (approximately 2 minutes)
D) After every 10 cycles of CPR
Answer: C) After every five cycles of CPR (approximately 2 minutes)
Rationale: Rescuers should switch roles approximately every 2 minutes, or after 5
cycles of 30:2. This prevents fatigue, which can lead to inadequate compression
depth and rate.
,3. What is the recommended rate for chest compressions for all age groups
(excluding newborns)?
A) 80-100 per minute
B) 100-120 per minute
C) 120-140 per minute
D) 140-160 per minute
Answer: B) 100-120 per minute
Rationale: The 2025 Guidelines continue to recommend a compression rate of 100
to 120 per minute to optimize perfusion while allowing for full chest recoil.
4. What is the correct depth for chest compressions on an adult?
A) 1.5 to 2 inches (4 to 5 cm)
B) At least 2 inches (5 cm), but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
C) At least 2.4 inches (6 cm)
D) One-third the depth of the chest
Answer: B) At least 2 inches (5 cm), but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
Rationale: High-quality CPR for adults requires compressing the chest to a depth of
at least 2 inches (5 cm) but not exceeding 2.4 inches (6 cm).
5. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of high-quality CPR?
A) Starting chest compressions within 10 seconds of recognition of cardiac arrest
B) Pushing hard and fast
C) Minimizing interruptions
D) Leaning on the chest between compressions
Answer: D) Leaning on the chest between compressions
,Rationale: High-quality CPR requires allowing for complete chest recoil. Leaning on
the chest between compressions prevents the heart from refilling with blood,
reducing the effectiveness of CPR.
6. In the 2025 AHA Guidelines, what term is recommended to replace "rescue
breaths"?
A) Assisted breaths
B) Lifesaving breaths
C) Breaths
D) Ventilations
Answer: C) Breaths
Rationale: The 2025 Guidelines simplify terminology. The term "rescue breaths" is
no longer used. "Breaths" refers to giving breaths when a person has a pulse but
isn't breathing, or in conjunction with CPR. "Ventilations" is reserved for
healthcare professionals using a bag-mask device or advanced airway.
7. According to the 2025 AHA Guidelines, what is the preferred term for non-
healthcare professionals providing care?
A) Bystander
B) Lay responder
C) Lay rescuer
D) Good Samaritan
Answer: C) Lay rescuer
Rationale: The term "lay rescuer" is now preferred over "bystander" because it
encourages action and clarifies the role of a person without medical training in an
emergency.
, 8. Why is it important to allow for complete chest recoil during CPR?
A) It increases the rescuer's endurance.
B) It prevents rib fractures.
C) It allows the heart to refill with blood between compressions.
D) It makes it easier to count compressions.
Answer: C) It allows the heart to refill with blood between compressions.
Rationale: Full chest recoil creates a negative pressure that draws blood back into
the heart, allowing for adequate filling and increasing the effectiveness of the
subsequent compression.
9. What is the appropriate depth of chest compressions for an infant (under 1
year old)?
A) About 1.5 inches (4 cm)
B) At least 2 inches (5 cm)
C) About 2 inches (5 cm)
D) One-third the depth of the chest, about 1.5 inches (4 cm)
Answer: D) One-third the depth of the chest, about 1.5 inches (4 cm)
Rationale: Infant compressions should be about one-third the anteroposterior
diameter of the chest, which is approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm).
10. In a hospital setting, you find an unresponsive patient who is not breathing
normally but has a pulse. You should:
A) Start CPR immediately.
B) Provide breaths at a rate of 10-12 per minute.
C) Activate the emergency response system and get an AED.
D) Place the patient in the recovery position.
Answer: B) Provide breaths at a rate of 10-12 per minute.
