CPR CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION
Practice Examination — 120 Questions with Answers and Rationales
For study and preparation purposes only. Always follow the current guidelines of your certifying organization (e.g., American Heart
Association or American Red Cross) and your instructor's directions.
Question 1
What is the very first action a rescuer should take upon approaching a potential cardiac arrest
victim?
A. Begin chest compressions immediately
B. Check the scene for safety before approaching the victim
C. Call the victim's family
D. Move the victim to a different location
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Scene safety must always be verified first; a rescuer who is injured or becomes a second
victim cannot help the original patient, and an unsafe scene may worsen the outcome for everyone.
Question 2
After confirming scene safety, what should a rescuer do next when encountering an unresponsive
adult?
A. Immediately begin rescue breathing
B. Check for responsiveness by tapping the shoulders and shouting
C. Start compressions before checking anything else
D. Leave to find an AED without checking the person
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Checking responsiveness (tap and shout) is the standard next step to determine if the person
is truly unresponsive before deciding on further action.
Page 1 of 47
,Question 3
When should a lone rescuer activate EMS (call emergency services) for an unresponsive adult
who is not breathing normally?
A. Only after performing five minutes of CPR
B. Immediately, as soon as unresponsiveness and abnormal/absent breathing are confirmed,
ideally before or while sending someone else to get an AED
C. Only if a pulse cannot be found after two minutes
D. EMS should never be called until the victim is revived
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Early activation of EMS is critical because advanced care and defibrillation must arrive as
soon as possible; a lone rescuer should call EMS (or direct a bystander to do so and retrieve an AED)
immediately upon recognizing arrest.
Question 4
If a bystander is available when a lone rescuer discovers an unresponsive, non-breathing adult,
what is the most efficient division of tasks?
A. Both bystanders should just watch and wait for professionals
B. One person calls EMS and retrieves an AED while the other begins chest compressions
immediately
C. Both should leave to find a phone together
D. Only the most experienced person should do anything at all
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Parallel tasking saves critical time: one rescuer starts high-quality compressions right away
while another activates EMS and brings an AED, rather than performing tasks sequentially.
Question 5
When checking for breathing in an unresponsive adult prior to starting CPR, a rescuer should
typically take how long to look for normal breathing?
A. No more than about 5 to 10 seconds
B. A full 2 minutes
C. At least 5 minutes
D. Breathing does not need to be checked at all
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Current CPR guidance recommends a brief check, generally no more than 5 to 10 seconds, to
avoid delaying chest compressions in a true cardiac arrest.
Page 2 of 47
,Question 6
Agonal gasping (irregular, gasping breaths) in an unresponsive person should be interpreted as:
A. Normal breathing, meaning CPR is not needed
B. A possible sign of cardiac arrest, not normal breathing, meaning CPR should be started
C. A sign the person is fully conscious
D. An indication to wait several minutes before acting
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Agonal gasps are not effective, normal breathing; they are commonly seen in the early stages
of cardiac arrest and should prompt the rescuer to begin CPR rather than assume the person is breathing
adequately.
Question 7
Why is it important for lay rescuers to avoid spending excessive time checking for a pulse before
starting CPR?
A. Pulse checks are illegal for lay rescuers
B. Pulse checks can be difficult and unreliable even for trained personnel, and delaying
compressions reduces survival; lay rescuers are generally taught to focus on responsiveness
and breathing
C. Pulses never exist in cardiac arrest, so checking is pointless
D. It has no bearing on patient outcomes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Because accurately detecting a pulse can be difficult and time-consuming even for
professionals, lay rescuer guidance emphasizes recognizing unresponsiveness and abnormal/absent
breathing to avoid delaying life-saving compressions.
Question 8
Which best describes the purpose of the 'Chain of Survival' concept taught in CPR courses?
A. A list of hospital billing codes
B. A sequence of critical actions (early recognition/activation, early CPR, early defibrillation,
early advanced care, and post-arrest care) that, performed in order and promptly, maximize a
cardiac arrest victim's chance of survival
C. A single required piece of rescue equipment
D. A legal document required before performing CPR
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Chain of Survival illustrates that each link (recognition, EMS activation, CPR,
defibrillation, advanced care, and recovery) must occur promptly and in sequence to give a cardiac arrest
victim the best chance of a good outcome.
Page 3 of 47
, Question 9
If a rescuer is uncertain whether a person is truly unresponsive or just sleeping deeply, the
appropriate action is to:
A. Assume they are fine and walk away
B. Attempt to elicit a response (tap shoulders firmly, shout their name) and treat lack of response
as an emergency requiring further assessment
C. Wait several hours to see if they wake up
D. Immediately perform an AED shock without any assessment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A firm, deliberate attempt to elicit a response is the standard method to distinguish
unresponsiveness from normal sleep, and any failure to respond should be treated as a potential
emergency warranting further assessment and action.
Question 10
Why should a rescuer avoid unnecessarily moving a potentially injured unresponsive person
before assessing the situation?
A. Moving a person is always required immediately
B. Unnecessary movement could worsen a possible spinal or other injury; the person should
generally only be moved if the environment is unsafe or CPR cannot otherwise be performed
C. Movement has no effect on injuries
D. It is illegal to move any unresponsive person under any circumstance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Careless movement can aggravate an underlying spinal or other injury; movement is generally
reserved for situations where the scene is unsafe or repositioning is necessary to provide effective care,
such as placing the person on a firm, flat surface for CPR.
Question 11
For adult CPR performed by a lay rescuer, what is the recommended compression-to-breath ratio
for one or two rescuers with a single victim (no advanced airway)?
A. 15:2 for one rescuer and 30:2 for two rescuers
B. 30:2 for both one and two rescuers
C. 5:1 for one rescuer and 15:2 for two rescuers
D. Compressions only, breaths are never given to adults
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For adult victims without an advanced airway, the standard ratio taught to lay rescuers is 30
chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths, whether there is one or two rescuers present.
Page 4 of 47
Practice Examination — 120 Questions with Answers and Rationales
For study and preparation purposes only. Always follow the current guidelines of your certifying organization (e.g., American Heart
Association or American Red Cross) and your instructor's directions.
Question 1
What is the very first action a rescuer should take upon approaching a potential cardiac arrest
victim?
A. Begin chest compressions immediately
B. Check the scene for safety before approaching the victim
C. Call the victim's family
D. Move the victim to a different location
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Scene safety must always be verified first; a rescuer who is injured or becomes a second
victim cannot help the original patient, and an unsafe scene may worsen the outcome for everyone.
Question 2
After confirming scene safety, what should a rescuer do next when encountering an unresponsive
adult?
A. Immediately begin rescue breathing
B. Check for responsiveness by tapping the shoulders and shouting
C. Start compressions before checking anything else
D. Leave to find an AED without checking the person
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Checking responsiveness (tap and shout) is the standard next step to determine if the person
is truly unresponsive before deciding on further action.
Page 1 of 47
,Question 3
When should a lone rescuer activate EMS (call emergency services) for an unresponsive adult
who is not breathing normally?
A. Only after performing five minutes of CPR
B. Immediately, as soon as unresponsiveness and abnormal/absent breathing are confirmed,
ideally before or while sending someone else to get an AED
C. Only if a pulse cannot be found after two minutes
D. EMS should never be called until the victim is revived
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Early activation of EMS is critical because advanced care and defibrillation must arrive as
soon as possible; a lone rescuer should call EMS (or direct a bystander to do so and retrieve an AED)
immediately upon recognizing arrest.
Question 4
If a bystander is available when a lone rescuer discovers an unresponsive, non-breathing adult,
what is the most efficient division of tasks?
A. Both bystanders should just watch and wait for professionals
B. One person calls EMS and retrieves an AED while the other begins chest compressions
immediately
C. Both should leave to find a phone together
D. Only the most experienced person should do anything at all
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Parallel tasking saves critical time: one rescuer starts high-quality compressions right away
while another activates EMS and brings an AED, rather than performing tasks sequentially.
Question 5
When checking for breathing in an unresponsive adult prior to starting CPR, a rescuer should
typically take how long to look for normal breathing?
A. No more than about 5 to 10 seconds
B. A full 2 minutes
C. At least 5 minutes
D. Breathing does not need to be checked at all
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Current CPR guidance recommends a brief check, generally no more than 5 to 10 seconds, to
avoid delaying chest compressions in a true cardiac arrest.
Page 2 of 47
,Question 6
Agonal gasping (irregular, gasping breaths) in an unresponsive person should be interpreted as:
A. Normal breathing, meaning CPR is not needed
B. A possible sign of cardiac arrest, not normal breathing, meaning CPR should be started
C. A sign the person is fully conscious
D. An indication to wait several minutes before acting
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Agonal gasps are not effective, normal breathing; they are commonly seen in the early stages
of cardiac arrest and should prompt the rescuer to begin CPR rather than assume the person is breathing
adequately.
Question 7
Why is it important for lay rescuers to avoid spending excessive time checking for a pulse before
starting CPR?
A. Pulse checks are illegal for lay rescuers
B. Pulse checks can be difficult and unreliable even for trained personnel, and delaying
compressions reduces survival; lay rescuers are generally taught to focus on responsiveness
and breathing
C. Pulses never exist in cardiac arrest, so checking is pointless
D. It has no bearing on patient outcomes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Because accurately detecting a pulse can be difficult and time-consuming even for
professionals, lay rescuer guidance emphasizes recognizing unresponsiveness and abnormal/absent
breathing to avoid delaying life-saving compressions.
Question 8
Which best describes the purpose of the 'Chain of Survival' concept taught in CPR courses?
A. A list of hospital billing codes
B. A sequence of critical actions (early recognition/activation, early CPR, early defibrillation,
early advanced care, and post-arrest care) that, performed in order and promptly, maximize a
cardiac arrest victim's chance of survival
C. A single required piece of rescue equipment
D. A legal document required before performing CPR
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Chain of Survival illustrates that each link (recognition, EMS activation, CPR,
defibrillation, advanced care, and recovery) must occur promptly and in sequence to give a cardiac arrest
victim the best chance of a good outcome.
Page 3 of 47
, Question 9
If a rescuer is uncertain whether a person is truly unresponsive or just sleeping deeply, the
appropriate action is to:
A. Assume they are fine and walk away
B. Attempt to elicit a response (tap shoulders firmly, shout their name) and treat lack of response
as an emergency requiring further assessment
C. Wait several hours to see if they wake up
D. Immediately perform an AED shock without any assessment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A firm, deliberate attempt to elicit a response is the standard method to distinguish
unresponsiveness from normal sleep, and any failure to respond should be treated as a potential
emergency warranting further assessment and action.
Question 10
Why should a rescuer avoid unnecessarily moving a potentially injured unresponsive person
before assessing the situation?
A. Moving a person is always required immediately
B. Unnecessary movement could worsen a possible spinal or other injury; the person should
generally only be moved if the environment is unsafe or CPR cannot otherwise be performed
C. Movement has no effect on injuries
D. It is illegal to move any unresponsive person under any circumstance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Careless movement can aggravate an underlying spinal or other injury; movement is generally
reserved for situations where the scene is unsafe or repositioning is necessary to provide effective care,
such as placing the person on a firm, flat surface for CPR.
Question 11
For adult CPR performed by a lay rescuer, what is the recommended compression-to-breath ratio
for one or two rescuers with a single victim (no advanced airway)?
A. 15:2 for one rescuer and 30:2 for two rescuers
B. 30:2 for both one and two rescuers
C. 5:1 for one rescuer and 15:2 for two rescuers
D. Compressions only, breaths are never given to adults
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For adult victims without an advanced airway, the standard ratio taught to lay rescuers is 30
chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths, whether there is one or two rescuers present.
Page 4 of 47
