CPR Certification Exam 2025/2026 | 200+
Verified Practice Questions & Correct
Answers | Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
(CPR) Comprehensive Study Guide &
Certification Exam Prep
CPR CERTIFICATION EXAM 2025/2026 | COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
• 200+ verified practice questions designed to test comprehensive CPR
knowledge across all certification levels and scenarios
• Study strategically by reviewing each question's detailed rationale, focusing on
areas of weakness, and using this as your primary preparation tool before taking
the official certification exam
Question 1
When performing CPR on an adult, what is the recommended compression-to-
ventilation ratio?
A) 80 compressions to 20 ventilations per minute
B) 100 to 120 compressions to 8 to 10 ventilations per minute
C) 50 compressions to 10 ventilations per minute
D) 120 compressions to 15 ventilations per minute
E) 60 compressions to 15 ventilations per minute
CORRECT ANSWER: B) 100 to 120 compressions to 8 to 10 ventilations per
minute
Rationale: Current CPR guidelines recommend a compression-to-ventilation ratio of
100 to 120 compressions per minute with 8 to 10 ventilations per minute for adults.
This ratio has been proven most effective in maintaining adequate perfusion
,pressure and oxygenation during cardiac arrest. The compression rate should
never fall below 100 per minute to ensure proper blood circulation.
Question 2
What is the first step you should take when you find an unresponsive adult?
A) Start chest compressions immediately
B) Check responsiveness and breathing
C) Call emergency services (EMS)
D) Position the victim on their back
E) Perform rescue breathing
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Check responsiveness and breathing
Rationale: The first step in CPR assessment is to check if the victim is responsive by
tapping their shoulders and asking if they are okay. Simultaneously, you should
check for normal breathing. If the victim is unresponsive and not breathing
normally, you should immediately activate emergency services. This assessment
takes only seconds and prevents unnecessary CPR on responsive individuals.
Question 3
At what depth should chest compressions be performed on an adult?
A) 0.5 to 1 inch
B) 1 to 1.5 inches
C) 2 to 2.4 inches
D) 2.5 to 3 inches
E) 3.5 to 4 inches
CORRECT ANSWER: D) 2.5 to 3 inches
,Rationale: Chest compressions on adults should be performed at a depth of at least
2.5 inches, but not exceeding 3 inches. Compressions that are too shallow fail to
generate adequate pressure to maintain circulation, while compressions that are
too deep can cause rib fractures and internal organ damage. The proper depth
ensures effective perfusion without causing unnecessary injury.
Question 4
How should you position an adult victim's head for rescue breathing?
A) Head flexed forward
B) Head tilted back with chin lifted
C) Head turned to the side
D) Neck in neutral position
E) Head extended backward without chin lift
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Head tilted back with chin lifted
Rationale: The head-tilt chin-lift maneuver opens the airway by extending the neck
and lifting the chin, which pulls the tongue away from the back of the throat. This
position prevents airway obstruction and allows air to reach the lungs during
rescue breathing. The combination of both movements is essential for proper
airway management.
Question 5
What should you do if you are alone and discover an unresponsive, non-
breathing adult?
A) Start CPR immediately without calling EMS
B) Call EMS first, then return to start CPR
C) Perform rescue breathing only for 5 minutes
D) Wait for help before starting CPR
, E) Leave the victim to find a phone
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Call EMS first, then return to start CPR
Rationale: When alone with an unresponsive, non-breathing victim, you should
activate emergency services immediately using your phone or by sending someone
else to call. Modern phones allow you to speak to the dispatcher while returning to
the victim to begin CPR. Early EMS activation is critical because advanced life
support and defibrillation cannot be delivered without professional responders.
You should return to CPR within 10-15 seconds.
Question 6
How often should you check for a pulse during CPR?
A) Every 5 seconds
B) Every 30 seconds
C) Every 2 minutes
D) Only at the beginning
E) Only if you feel the victim is reviving
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Every 2 minutes
Rationale: Current guidelines recommend checking for a pulse and breathing
approximately every 2 minutes (or after every 5 cycles of 30:2 compressions and
ventilations). This timing allows you to continue effective CPR while periodically
assessing for return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Checking too frequently
interrupts CPR and decreases its effectiveness.
Question 7
What is the primary purpose of an automated external defibrillator (AED)?
A) To monitor heart rate
Verified Practice Questions & Correct
Answers | Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
(CPR) Comprehensive Study Guide &
Certification Exam Prep
CPR CERTIFICATION EXAM 2025/2026 | COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
• 200+ verified practice questions designed to test comprehensive CPR
knowledge across all certification levels and scenarios
• Study strategically by reviewing each question's detailed rationale, focusing on
areas of weakness, and using this as your primary preparation tool before taking
the official certification exam
Question 1
When performing CPR on an adult, what is the recommended compression-to-
ventilation ratio?
A) 80 compressions to 20 ventilations per minute
B) 100 to 120 compressions to 8 to 10 ventilations per minute
C) 50 compressions to 10 ventilations per minute
D) 120 compressions to 15 ventilations per minute
E) 60 compressions to 15 ventilations per minute
CORRECT ANSWER: B) 100 to 120 compressions to 8 to 10 ventilations per
minute
Rationale: Current CPR guidelines recommend a compression-to-ventilation ratio of
100 to 120 compressions per minute with 8 to 10 ventilations per minute for adults.
This ratio has been proven most effective in maintaining adequate perfusion
,pressure and oxygenation during cardiac arrest. The compression rate should
never fall below 100 per minute to ensure proper blood circulation.
Question 2
What is the first step you should take when you find an unresponsive adult?
A) Start chest compressions immediately
B) Check responsiveness and breathing
C) Call emergency services (EMS)
D) Position the victim on their back
E) Perform rescue breathing
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Check responsiveness and breathing
Rationale: The first step in CPR assessment is to check if the victim is responsive by
tapping their shoulders and asking if they are okay. Simultaneously, you should
check for normal breathing. If the victim is unresponsive and not breathing
normally, you should immediately activate emergency services. This assessment
takes only seconds and prevents unnecessary CPR on responsive individuals.
Question 3
At what depth should chest compressions be performed on an adult?
A) 0.5 to 1 inch
B) 1 to 1.5 inches
C) 2 to 2.4 inches
D) 2.5 to 3 inches
E) 3.5 to 4 inches
CORRECT ANSWER: D) 2.5 to 3 inches
,Rationale: Chest compressions on adults should be performed at a depth of at least
2.5 inches, but not exceeding 3 inches. Compressions that are too shallow fail to
generate adequate pressure to maintain circulation, while compressions that are
too deep can cause rib fractures and internal organ damage. The proper depth
ensures effective perfusion without causing unnecessary injury.
Question 4
How should you position an adult victim's head for rescue breathing?
A) Head flexed forward
B) Head tilted back with chin lifted
C) Head turned to the side
D) Neck in neutral position
E) Head extended backward without chin lift
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Head tilted back with chin lifted
Rationale: The head-tilt chin-lift maneuver opens the airway by extending the neck
and lifting the chin, which pulls the tongue away from the back of the throat. This
position prevents airway obstruction and allows air to reach the lungs during
rescue breathing. The combination of both movements is essential for proper
airway management.
Question 5
What should you do if you are alone and discover an unresponsive, non-
breathing adult?
A) Start CPR immediately without calling EMS
B) Call EMS first, then return to start CPR
C) Perform rescue breathing only for 5 minutes
D) Wait for help before starting CPR
, E) Leave the victim to find a phone
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Call EMS first, then return to start CPR
Rationale: When alone with an unresponsive, non-breathing victim, you should
activate emergency services immediately using your phone or by sending someone
else to call. Modern phones allow you to speak to the dispatcher while returning to
the victim to begin CPR. Early EMS activation is critical because advanced life
support and defibrillation cannot be delivered without professional responders.
You should return to CPR within 10-15 seconds.
Question 6
How often should you check for a pulse during CPR?
A) Every 5 seconds
B) Every 30 seconds
C) Every 2 minutes
D) Only at the beginning
E) Only if you feel the victim is reviving
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Every 2 minutes
Rationale: Current guidelines recommend checking for a pulse and breathing
approximately every 2 minutes (or after every 5 cycles of 30:2 compressions and
ventilations). This timing allows you to continue effective CPR while periodically
assessing for return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Checking too frequently
interrupts CPR and decreases its effectiveness.
Question 7
What is the primary purpose of an automated external defibrillator (AED)?
A) To monitor heart rate
