American Red Cross BLS Final Exam
Basic Life Support Review Examination
1. You arrive at the scene of an unresponsive adult. The scene is safe. What is your first action?
A. Begin chest compressions immediately
B. Check for a pulse for no more than 10 seconds
C. Tap the shoulders firmly and shout, 'Are you okay?' [CORRECT]
D. Apply the AED pads and analyze the rhythm
Correct Answer: C
**Correct because** you must first attempt to determine if the person is unresponsive by tapping and shouting
before initiating any physical assessment or intervention. **This matches** the BLS sequence of assessing
responsiveness as the initial step in the BLS algorithm.
2. For an adult cardiac arrest victim, what is the correct compression rate during high-quality CPR?
A. 60 to 80 compressions per minute
B. 80 to 100 compressions per minute
C. 100 to 120 compressions per minute [CORRECT]
D. 120 to 140 compressions per minute
Correct Answer: C
**Correct because** the AHA guidelines specify a compression rate of 100 to 120 per minute to ensure adequate
perfusion pressure while minimizing fatigue-related degradation. **This matches** the current standard for
high-quality CPR.
3. What is the recommended compression depth for an adult during CPR?
A. At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B. At least 2 inches (5 cm) but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm) [CORRECT]
C. At least 3 inches (7.5 cm)
D. Between 1.5 and 2.5 inches (4 to 6 cm)
Correct Answer: B
**Correct because** the recommended depth of at least 2 inches but not exceeding 2.4 inches balances effective
blood circulation with the risk of internal injury. **Priority is** achieving adequate compression depth without
causing harm.
4. You are performing single-rescuer CPR on an adult. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio?
A. 15:2
B. 30:1 [CORRECT]
C. 30:2
D. 50:2
Correct Answer: B
**Correct because** single-rescuer CPR for an adult uses a 30:1 ratio of compressions to ventilations to maintain
coronary perfusion pressure. **This matches** the AHA guideline for lone rescuers providing CPR to adults.
, 5. An AED indicates 'No Shock Advised.' What should you do next?
A. Remove the AED pads and continue CPR
B. Turn off the AED and reassess the patient
C. Immediately resume chest compressions beginning with compressions [CORRECT]
D. Wait 2 minutes and reanalyze the rhythm
Correct Answer: C
**Correct because** when the AED advises no shock, the patient is in a non-shockable rhythm and immediate
chest compressions are essential to maintain circulation. **Priority is** minimizing interruptions in chest
compressions.
6. Where should you place the AED pads on an adult patient?
A. One pad on the left side of the chest and one on the abdomen
B. One pad on the upper right chest below the collarbone and one on the lower left side of the chest
[CORRECT]
C. Both pads on the center of the chest, side by side
D. One pad on the forehead and one on the center of the chest
Correct Answer: B
**Correct because** this placement allows the electrical current to pass through the heart along the long axis of the
heart for effective defibrillation. **This matches** the standard AED pad placement for adult patients.
7. A conscious adult is choking and cannot speak, cough, or breathe. What is your first action?
A. Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) [CORRECT]
B. Give 5 back blows followed by 5 abdominal thrusts
C. Begin chest compressions at a 30:2 ratio
D. Encourage the person to drink water to dislodge the object
Correct Answer: A
**Correct because** for a conscious choking adult who cannot cough, speak, or breathe, abdominal thrusts are the
initial intervention to generate enough pressure to expel the foreign body. **This matches** the current BLS
choking algorithm for adults.
8. What is the primary reason for allowing full chest recoil between compressions?
A. It gives the rescuer time to reposition their hands
B. It allows the heart to refill with blood between compressions [CORRECT]
C. It reduces the physical effort required by the rescuer
D. It prevents rib fractures during CPR
Correct Answer: B
**Correct because** full chest recoil creates negative intrathoracic pressure that draws blood back into the heart,
enabling effective forward flow during the next compression. **Priority is** maximizing cardiac output during
CPR.
9. You find an unresponsive infant. The scene is safe. After checking for responsiveness, what is your next
step?
Basic Life Support Review Examination
1. You arrive at the scene of an unresponsive adult. The scene is safe. What is your first action?
A. Begin chest compressions immediately
B. Check for a pulse for no more than 10 seconds
C. Tap the shoulders firmly and shout, 'Are you okay?' [CORRECT]
D. Apply the AED pads and analyze the rhythm
Correct Answer: C
**Correct because** you must first attempt to determine if the person is unresponsive by tapping and shouting
before initiating any physical assessment or intervention. **This matches** the BLS sequence of assessing
responsiveness as the initial step in the BLS algorithm.
2. For an adult cardiac arrest victim, what is the correct compression rate during high-quality CPR?
A. 60 to 80 compressions per minute
B. 80 to 100 compressions per minute
C. 100 to 120 compressions per minute [CORRECT]
D. 120 to 140 compressions per minute
Correct Answer: C
**Correct because** the AHA guidelines specify a compression rate of 100 to 120 per minute to ensure adequate
perfusion pressure while minimizing fatigue-related degradation. **This matches** the current standard for
high-quality CPR.
3. What is the recommended compression depth for an adult during CPR?
A. At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B. At least 2 inches (5 cm) but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm) [CORRECT]
C. At least 3 inches (7.5 cm)
D. Between 1.5 and 2.5 inches (4 to 6 cm)
Correct Answer: B
**Correct because** the recommended depth of at least 2 inches but not exceeding 2.4 inches balances effective
blood circulation with the risk of internal injury. **Priority is** achieving adequate compression depth without
causing harm.
4. You are performing single-rescuer CPR on an adult. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio?
A. 15:2
B. 30:1 [CORRECT]
C. 30:2
D. 50:2
Correct Answer: B
**Correct because** single-rescuer CPR for an adult uses a 30:1 ratio of compressions to ventilations to maintain
coronary perfusion pressure. **This matches** the AHA guideline for lone rescuers providing CPR to adults.
, 5. An AED indicates 'No Shock Advised.' What should you do next?
A. Remove the AED pads and continue CPR
B. Turn off the AED and reassess the patient
C. Immediately resume chest compressions beginning with compressions [CORRECT]
D. Wait 2 minutes and reanalyze the rhythm
Correct Answer: C
**Correct because** when the AED advises no shock, the patient is in a non-shockable rhythm and immediate
chest compressions are essential to maintain circulation. **Priority is** minimizing interruptions in chest
compressions.
6. Where should you place the AED pads on an adult patient?
A. One pad on the left side of the chest and one on the abdomen
B. One pad on the upper right chest below the collarbone and one on the lower left side of the chest
[CORRECT]
C. Both pads on the center of the chest, side by side
D. One pad on the forehead and one on the center of the chest
Correct Answer: B
**Correct because** this placement allows the electrical current to pass through the heart along the long axis of the
heart for effective defibrillation. **This matches** the standard AED pad placement for adult patients.
7. A conscious adult is choking and cannot speak, cough, or breathe. What is your first action?
A. Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) [CORRECT]
B. Give 5 back blows followed by 5 abdominal thrusts
C. Begin chest compressions at a 30:2 ratio
D. Encourage the person to drink water to dislodge the object
Correct Answer: A
**Correct because** for a conscious choking adult who cannot cough, speak, or breathe, abdominal thrusts are the
initial intervention to generate enough pressure to expel the foreign body. **This matches** the current BLS
choking algorithm for adults.
8. What is the primary reason for allowing full chest recoil between compressions?
A. It gives the rescuer time to reposition their hands
B. It allows the heart to refill with blood between compressions [CORRECT]
C. It reduces the physical effort required by the rescuer
D. It prevents rib fractures during CPR
Correct Answer: B
**Correct because** full chest recoil creates negative intrathoracic pressure that draws blood back into the heart,
enabling effective forward flow during the next compression. **Priority is** maximizing cardiac output during
CPR.
9. You find an unresponsive infant. The scene is safe. After checking for responsiveness, what is your next
step?
