CPR Certification Exam Prep
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Questions & Answers with Rationales
This study guide contains practice questions covering the core knowledge
areas of a standard CPR/BLS certification exam: chain of survival,
adult/child/infant CPR technique, AED use, choking response, and special
situations. Each question is followed immediately by the correct answer and
a short rationale explaining why it is correct.
, Section 1: Foundations & Chain of Survival
Q1. What is the correct order of the Adult Out-of-Hospital Chain of
Survival?
A. Early CPR, recognition, defibrillation, EMS activation, advanced care
B. Recognition and EMS activation, early CPR, rapid defibrillation, basic
and advanced EMS care, advanced life support and post-cardiac-arrest
care, recovery
C. Defibrillation, CPR, EMS activation, recovery, recognition
D. EMS activation, recovery, CPR, defibrillation, recognition
Answer: B
Rationale: The Chain of Survival begins with recognizing the emergency
and activating EMS, followed by immediate high-quality CPR, rapid
defibrillation, effective advanced care, and post-arrest recovery. Skipping or
reordering links reduces survival.
Q2. Why is early, high-quality CPR considered the single most
important link for bystanders?
A. It replaces the need for defibrillation entirely
B. It keeps oxygenated blood circulating to the brain and heart until
advanced help arrives
C. It cures the underlying heart condition
D. It is only useful after an AED has been applied
Answer: B
Rationale: Chest compressions maintain some blood flow to vital organs,
buying time for defibrillation and advanced care. Brain and heart tissue
begin to suffer damage within minutes without circulation.
Q3. How quickly does brain damage typically begin after blood flow
stops completely?
A. About 30 minutes
B. About 4 to 6 minutes
C. About 1 hour
D. Brain damage never occurs from lack of blood flow
Answer: B
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Questions & Answers with Rationales
This study guide contains practice questions covering the core knowledge
areas of a standard CPR/BLS certification exam: chain of survival,
adult/child/infant CPR technique, AED use, choking response, and special
situations. Each question is followed immediately by the correct answer and
a short rationale explaining why it is correct.
, Section 1: Foundations & Chain of Survival
Q1. What is the correct order of the Adult Out-of-Hospital Chain of
Survival?
A. Early CPR, recognition, defibrillation, EMS activation, advanced care
B. Recognition and EMS activation, early CPR, rapid defibrillation, basic
and advanced EMS care, advanced life support and post-cardiac-arrest
care, recovery
C. Defibrillation, CPR, EMS activation, recovery, recognition
D. EMS activation, recovery, CPR, defibrillation, recognition
Answer: B
Rationale: The Chain of Survival begins with recognizing the emergency
and activating EMS, followed by immediate high-quality CPR, rapid
defibrillation, effective advanced care, and post-arrest recovery. Skipping or
reordering links reduces survival.
Q2. Why is early, high-quality CPR considered the single most
important link for bystanders?
A. It replaces the need for defibrillation entirely
B. It keeps oxygenated blood circulating to the brain and heart until
advanced help arrives
C. It cures the underlying heart condition
D. It is only useful after an AED has been applied
Answer: B
Rationale: Chest compressions maintain some blood flow to vital organs,
buying time for defibrillation and advanced care. Brain and heart tissue
begin to suffer damage within minutes without circulation.
Q3. How quickly does brain damage typically begin after blood flow
stops completely?
A. About 30 minutes
B. About 4 to 6 minutes
C. About 1 hour
D. Brain damage never occurs from lack of blood flow
Answer: B
