CPR PRACTICE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION EXAM – QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | EXAM TESTBANK WITH VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS |
PLUS RATIONALES | DOWNLOAD AND PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
2026/2027
Core Domains
- Adult Basic Life Support (BLS) and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Pediatric Basic Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
fundamentals
- Automated External Defibrillator (AED) usage and operation
- Choking relief and airway management (FBAO)
- Team dynamics, communication, and high-performance CPR
- Post-cardiac arrest care and recovery principles
- Legal, ethical, and professional considerations in emergency response
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to rigorously assess a candidate’s
knowledge and critical thinking skills in alignment with the American Heart
Association’s guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency
Cardiovascular Care. The exam covers foundational theory, applied clinical
knowledge, and the latest evidence-based protocols for managing cardiac and
respiratory emergencies. It incorporates a range of multiple-choice questions and
complex, scenario-based items to evaluate a candidate's ability to apply principles
in real-world, high-stakes situations. Successful completion of this assessment
demonstrates a mastery of the essential decision-making skills required to lead or
participate in effective resuscitation efforts, ensuring the best possible outcomes for
patients in distress.
════════════════════════════════════
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–50
,1. A healthcare provider is performing high-quality CPR on an adult patient in
cardiac arrest. Which of the following is the most critical component to
maximize the patient's chance of survival?
A. Minimizing interruptions to chest compressions
B. Delivering rescue breaths over one second
C. Checking for a pulse every minute
D. Ensuring the patient is on a firm surface
🟢 Correct Answer: A. Minimizing interruptions to chest compressions
🔴 Explanation: High-quality CPR requires compressions to be delivered at the
proper rate and depth with minimal interruptions. Interruptions decrease
coronary perfusion pressure and significantly reduce the likelihood of return of
spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The other options are important but secondary
to the priority of uninterrupted compressions.
2. During a resuscitation attempt, the team leader asks for an update on the
patient’s rhythm. The monitor shows a shockable rhythm. What is the
appropriate immediate action?
A. Administer a dose of epinephrine
B. Resume chest compressions immediately
C. Prepare and deliver a shock with the AED
D. Check the patient's carotid pulse
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Prepare and deliver a shock with the AED
🔴 Explanation: For a shockable rhythm like ventricular fibrillation (VF) or
pulseless ventricular tachycardia (pVT), the priority is defibrillation. Early
defibrillation is the single most important intervention for these rhythms.
Compressions should be paused to deliver the shock safely, and rhythm checks
are performed after a cycle of CPR, not before defibrillation is attempted.
,3. What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single
rescuer performing CPR on an adult?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
C. 30:1
D. Continuous compressions with asynchronous breaths
🟢 Correct Answer: B. 30:2
🔴 Explanation: The AHA guidelines recommend a ratio of 30 compressions to 2
ventilations for a single rescuer performing CPR on adults, children, and infants
(excluding newborns). This ratio is designed to maximize the number of
compressions delivered.
4. An adult patient collapses suddenly. You confirm they are unresponsive and
not breathing normally. You have an AED available. What is the most
appropriate sequence of actions?
A. Start CPR, then apply the AED after two minutes
B. Apply the AED, analyze, and shock if advised, then start CPR
C. Start CPR, apply the AED immediately, and follow prompts
D. Give two rescue breaths, then apply the AED
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Start CPR, apply the AED immediately, and follow prompts
🔴 Explanation: The AHA chain of survival emphasizes early CPR and early
defibrillation. If an AED is available, it should be applied and used as soon as
possible. The rescuer should start CPR while the AED is being prepared and then
follow the device's prompts to analyze and deliver a shock if needed.
5. An infant is choking and becomes unresponsive. You should immediately:
A. Perform back blows and chest thrusts
B. Begin CPR starting with chest compressions
, C. Give abdominal thrusts
D. Attempt to visualize the airway and perform a finger sweep
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Begin CPR starting with chest compressions
🔴 Explanation: If an infant (or child) who is choking becomes unresponsive, the
rescuer should immediately begin CPR, starting with chest compressions. This
sequence is critical to provide circulation and potentially dislodge the foreign
body with the compressions. Finger sweeps should only be used if the object is
visible.
6. Which of the following is the most reliable indicator of effective chest
compressions in an adult?
A. A palpable carotid pulse during compressions
B. A systolic blood pressure of 80 mmHg
C. End-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) waveform capnography monitoring
D. The rescuer's own physical effort
🟢 Correct Answer: C. End-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) waveform capnography monitoring
🔴 Explanation: Quantitative waveform capnography provides a continuous, non-
invasive measure of the effectiveness of chest compressions by monitoring
ETCO2. An ETCO2 value of ≥ 20 mmHg indicates adequate CPR quality. Palpating
a pulse is often unreliable and can interrupt compressions.
7. A patient with a suspected opioid overdose is unresponsive and not
breathing normally. You have already given naloxone. What is your next
priority?
A. Maintain an open airway and begin CPR
B. Wait for the naloxone to take effect
C. Place the patient in the recovery position
D. Call the patient's family for medical history
ANSWERS | EXAM TESTBANK WITH VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS |
PLUS RATIONALES | DOWNLOAD AND PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
2026/2027
Core Domains
- Adult Basic Life Support (BLS) and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Pediatric Basic Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
fundamentals
- Automated External Defibrillator (AED) usage and operation
- Choking relief and airway management (FBAO)
- Team dynamics, communication, and high-performance CPR
- Post-cardiac arrest care and recovery principles
- Legal, ethical, and professional considerations in emergency response
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to rigorously assess a candidate’s
knowledge and critical thinking skills in alignment with the American Heart
Association’s guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency
Cardiovascular Care. The exam covers foundational theory, applied clinical
knowledge, and the latest evidence-based protocols for managing cardiac and
respiratory emergencies. It incorporates a range of multiple-choice questions and
complex, scenario-based items to evaluate a candidate's ability to apply principles
in real-world, high-stakes situations. Successful completion of this assessment
demonstrates a mastery of the essential decision-making skills required to lead or
participate in effective resuscitation efforts, ensuring the best possible outcomes for
patients in distress.
════════════════════════════════════
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–50
,1. A healthcare provider is performing high-quality CPR on an adult patient in
cardiac arrest. Which of the following is the most critical component to
maximize the patient's chance of survival?
A. Minimizing interruptions to chest compressions
B. Delivering rescue breaths over one second
C. Checking for a pulse every minute
D. Ensuring the patient is on a firm surface
🟢 Correct Answer: A. Minimizing interruptions to chest compressions
🔴 Explanation: High-quality CPR requires compressions to be delivered at the
proper rate and depth with minimal interruptions. Interruptions decrease
coronary perfusion pressure and significantly reduce the likelihood of return of
spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The other options are important but secondary
to the priority of uninterrupted compressions.
2. During a resuscitation attempt, the team leader asks for an update on the
patient’s rhythm. The monitor shows a shockable rhythm. What is the
appropriate immediate action?
A. Administer a dose of epinephrine
B. Resume chest compressions immediately
C. Prepare and deliver a shock with the AED
D. Check the patient's carotid pulse
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Prepare and deliver a shock with the AED
🔴 Explanation: For a shockable rhythm like ventricular fibrillation (VF) or
pulseless ventricular tachycardia (pVT), the priority is defibrillation. Early
defibrillation is the single most important intervention for these rhythms.
Compressions should be paused to deliver the shock safely, and rhythm checks
are performed after a cycle of CPR, not before defibrillation is attempted.
,3. What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single
rescuer performing CPR on an adult?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
C. 30:1
D. Continuous compressions with asynchronous breaths
🟢 Correct Answer: B. 30:2
🔴 Explanation: The AHA guidelines recommend a ratio of 30 compressions to 2
ventilations for a single rescuer performing CPR on adults, children, and infants
(excluding newborns). This ratio is designed to maximize the number of
compressions delivered.
4. An adult patient collapses suddenly. You confirm they are unresponsive and
not breathing normally. You have an AED available. What is the most
appropriate sequence of actions?
A. Start CPR, then apply the AED after two minutes
B. Apply the AED, analyze, and shock if advised, then start CPR
C. Start CPR, apply the AED immediately, and follow prompts
D. Give two rescue breaths, then apply the AED
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Start CPR, apply the AED immediately, and follow prompts
🔴 Explanation: The AHA chain of survival emphasizes early CPR and early
defibrillation. If an AED is available, it should be applied and used as soon as
possible. The rescuer should start CPR while the AED is being prepared and then
follow the device's prompts to analyze and deliver a shock if needed.
5. An infant is choking and becomes unresponsive. You should immediately:
A. Perform back blows and chest thrusts
B. Begin CPR starting with chest compressions
, C. Give abdominal thrusts
D. Attempt to visualize the airway and perform a finger sweep
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Begin CPR starting with chest compressions
🔴 Explanation: If an infant (or child) who is choking becomes unresponsive, the
rescuer should immediately begin CPR, starting with chest compressions. This
sequence is critical to provide circulation and potentially dislodge the foreign
body with the compressions. Finger sweeps should only be used if the object is
visible.
6. Which of the following is the most reliable indicator of effective chest
compressions in an adult?
A. A palpable carotid pulse during compressions
B. A systolic blood pressure of 80 mmHg
C. End-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) waveform capnography monitoring
D. The rescuer's own physical effort
🟢 Correct Answer: C. End-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) waveform capnography monitoring
🔴 Explanation: Quantitative waveform capnography provides a continuous, non-
invasive measure of the effectiveness of chest compressions by monitoring
ETCO2. An ETCO2 value of ≥ 20 mmHg indicates adequate CPR quality. Palpating
a pulse is often unreliable and can interrupt compressions.
7. A patient with a suspected opioid overdose is unresponsive and not
breathing normally. You have already given naloxone. What is your next
priority?
A. Maintain an open airway and begin CPR
B. Wait for the naloxone to take effect
C. Place the patient in the recovery position
D. Call the patient's family for medical history
