Basic Life Support Nursing Competency
Exam — Code: NUR-BLS-COMP | 100-
Question Advanced Practice Exam 2026
| Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam Prep &
Study Guide
Question 1
A nurse finds an adult patient unresponsive in a hospital hallway. The patient is
not breathing normally and has occasional gasping respirations. What is the
nurse's priority action?
A. Place the patient in the recovery position
B. Check the patient's blood pressure
C. Activate the emergency response system and begin CPR
D. Administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask
Answer: C. Activate the emergency response system and begin CPR
,Rationale: Agonal gasping is not normal breathing and should be treated as
cardiac arrest. The nurse should activate the emergency response system and
immediately begin high-quality CPR.
Question 2
During adult CPR, which compression rate should the nurse maintain?
A. 60–80/min
B. 80–100/min
C. 100–120/min
D. 120–140/min
Answer: C. 100–120/min
Rationale: High-quality adult CPR requires chest compressions at a rate of 100–
120 compressions per minute.
Question 3
Which finding indicates that chest compressions are being performed effectively
in an adult?
A. Compression depth of approximately 1 cm
B. Compression depth of at least 5 cm while avoiding excessive depth
C. Compression rate of 70/min
D. Complete interruption after every 10 compressions
Answer: B. Compression depth of at least 5 cm while avoiding excessive depth
Rationale: Adult chest compressions should be at least 5 cm deep while avoiding
excessive depth. Complete chest recoil and minimal interruptions are also
essential.
Question 4
A nurse is performing CPR on an adult with no advanced airway in place. What
compression-to-ventilation ratio should be used?
,A. 15:1
B. 15:2
C. 30:1
D. 30:2
Answer: D. 30:2
Rationale: For adult CPR without an advanced airway, rescuers perform 30
compressions followed by 2 breaths.
Question 5
A patient suddenly collapses while being monitored on a telemetry unit. The
nurse determines that the patient is unresponsive and not breathing normally.
What should occur next if an AED is immediately available?
A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG before using the AED
B. Apply the AED as soon as possible while CPR continues as appropriate
C. Wait for the physician before applying the AED
D. Administer two rescue breaths before activating the AED
Answer: B. Apply the AED as soon as possible while CPR continues as
appropriate
Rationale: Early defibrillation is critical for shockable cardiac arrest rhythms. The
AED should be applied as soon as available, with interruptions in compressions
minimized.
Question 6
What is the primary purpose of an AED during cardiac arrest?
A. Increase oxygen saturation
B. Determine blood glucose
C. Analyze the cardiac rhythm and deliver a shock when indicated
D. Replace chest compressions
Answer: C. Analyze the cardiac rhythm and deliver a shock when indicated
, Rationale: An AED analyzes the cardiac rhythm and determines whether a
shockable rhythm is present. It does not replace high-quality CPR.
Question 7
An AED announces, “Analyzing rhythm.” What should rescuers do?
A. Continue chest compressions
B. Stop touching the patient
C. Give two rescue breaths
D. Remove the AED pads
Answer: B. Stop touching the patient
Rationale: Everyone must remain clear of the patient during rhythm analysis so
the AED can accurately interpret the rhythm and prevent accidental injury.
Question 8
Immediately after an AED delivers a shock, what should the rescuer do?
A. Check the pulse for 30 seconds
B. Resume CPR immediately, beginning with chest compressions
C. Remove the AED pads
D. Give five rescue breaths
Answer: B. Resume CPR immediately, beginning with chest compressions
Rationale: CPR should resume immediately after a shock. Prolonged pulse or
rhythm checks unnecessarily interrupt chest compressions.
Question 9
A nurse notices that an adult patient's chest does not visibly rise during a rescue
breath. What should the nurse do first?
A. Deliver five rapid breaths
B. Reposition the airway and attempt another breath
Exam — Code: NUR-BLS-COMP | 100-
Question Advanced Practice Exam 2026
| Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam Prep &
Study Guide
Question 1
A nurse finds an adult patient unresponsive in a hospital hallway. The patient is
not breathing normally and has occasional gasping respirations. What is the
nurse's priority action?
A. Place the patient in the recovery position
B. Check the patient's blood pressure
C. Activate the emergency response system and begin CPR
D. Administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask
Answer: C. Activate the emergency response system and begin CPR
,Rationale: Agonal gasping is not normal breathing and should be treated as
cardiac arrest. The nurse should activate the emergency response system and
immediately begin high-quality CPR.
Question 2
During adult CPR, which compression rate should the nurse maintain?
A. 60–80/min
B. 80–100/min
C. 100–120/min
D. 120–140/min
Answer: C. 100–120/min
Rationale: High-quality adult CPR requires chest compressions at a rate of 100–
120 compressions per minute.
Question 3
Which finding indicates that chest compressions are being performed effectively
in an adult?
A. Compression depth of approximately 1 cm
B. Compression depth of at least 5 cm while avoiding excessive depth
C. Compression rate of 70/min
D. Complete interruption after every 10 compressions
Answer: B. Compression depth of at least 5 cm while avoiding excessive depth
Rationale: Adult chest compressions should be at least 5 cm deep while avoiding
excessive depth. Complete chest recoil and minimal interruptions are also
essential.
Question 4
A nurse is performing CPR on an adult with no advanced airway in place. What
compression-to-ventilation ratio should be used?
,A. 15:1
B. 15:2
C. 30:1
D. 30:2
Answer: D. 30:2
Rationale: For adult CPR without an advanced airway, rescuers perform 30
compressions followed by 2 breaths.
Question 5
A patient suddenly collapses while being monitored on a telemetry unit. The
nurse determines that the patient is unresponsive and not breathing normally.
What should occur next if an AED is immediately available?
A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG before using the AED
B. Apply the AED as soon as possible while CPR continues as appropriate
C. Wait for the physician before applying the AED
D. Administer two rescue breaths before activating the AED
Answer: B. Apply the AED as soon as possible while CPR continues as
appropriate
Rationale: Early defibrillation is critical for shockable cardiac arrest rhythms. The
AED should be applied as soon as available, with interruptions in compressions
minimized.
Question 6
What is the primary purpose of an AED during cardiac arrest?
A. Increase oxygen saturation
B. Determine blood glucose
C. Analyze the cardiac rhythm and deliver a shock when indicated
D. Replace chest compressions
Answer: C. Analyze the cardiac rhythm and deliver a shock when indicated
, Rationale: An AED analyzes the cardiac rhythm and determines whether a
shockable rhythm is present. It does not replace high-quality CPR.
Question 7
An AED announces, “Analyzing rhythm.” What should rescuers do?
A. Continue chest compressions
B. Stop touching the patient
C. Give two rescue breaths
D. Remove the AED pads
Answer: B. Stop touching the patient
Rationale: Everyone must remain clear of the patient during rhythm analysis so
the AED can accurately interpret the rhythm and prevent accidental injury.
Question 8
Immediately after an AED delivers a shock, what should the rescuer do?
A. Check the pulse for 30 seconds
B. Resume CPR immediately, beginning with chest compressions
C. Remove the AED pads
D. Give five rescue breaths
Answer: B. Resume CPR immediately, beginning with chest compressions
Rationale: CPR should resume immediately after a shock. Prolonged pulse or
rhythm checks unnecessarily interrupt chest compressions.
Question 9
A nurse notices that an adult patient's chest does not visibly rise during a rescue
breath. What should the nurse do first?
A. Deliver five rapid breaths
B. Reposition the airway and attempt another breath
