AHA BLS CPR EXAM | ALL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
LATEST EXAM 2026/2027 | A+ GRADED |
COMPREHENSIVE BLS CERTIFICATION EXAM GUIDE
1. A healthcare provider finds an adult who is unresponsive and not breathing normally.
After confirming the scene is safe, what should the provider do next?
A. Obtain a blood pressure reading
B. Activate the emergency response system and obtain an AED
C. Give two rescue breaths immediately
D. Place the patient in the recovery position
Answer: B
Activating the emergency response system and obtaining an AED are critical early actions for
an unresponsive adult who is not breathing normally. Early CPR and rapid defibrillation are
key components of effective cardiac arrest care.
2. When assessing an adult who has collapsed, which finding most strongly indicates
cardiac arrest?
A. Mild dizziness with normal breathing
B. A weak but regular pulse
C. Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing
D. Slow but effective breathing
Answer: C
Cardiac arrest should be suspected when a person is unresponsive and not breathing
normally, including gasping respirations. A trained provider should promptly assess for a
pulse while activating the emergency response process.
3. A healthcare provider observes an adult patient who is unresponsive and gasping
intermittently. What is the most appropriate interpretation of the gasping?
A. Normal breathing
B. Adequate ventilation
C. A sign that CPR is unnecessary
D. Abnormal breathing associated with possible cardiac arrest
Answer: D
,Gasping is not considered normal breathing. In an unresponsive person, abnormal gasping
should prompt recognition of possible cardiac arrest and immediate resuscitation actions.
4. During adult CPR, what compression rate should a rescuer generally maintain?
A. 100 to 120 compressions per minute
B. 60 to 80 compressions per minute
C. 80 to 90 compressions per minute
D. 130 to 150 compressions per minute
Answer: A
High-quality adult CPR requires chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per
minute. Maintaining this rate helps provide effective circulation during cardiac arrest.
5. What is the recommended chest compression depth for an average adult during CPR?
A. At least 1 inch
B. At least 2 inches, while avoiding excessive depth
C. Exactly 3 inches
D. Approximately 4 inches
Answer: B
Adult chest compressions should be at least 2 inches deep while avoiding excessive depth.
Adequate depth is necessary to generate effective blood flow during CPR.
6. Which action best helps a rescuer maintain high-quality chest compressions?
A. Leaning on the chest between compressions
B. Pausing every 15 seconds
C. Allowing complete chest recoil after each compression
D. Compressing progressively more slowly
Answer: C
Complete chest recoil allows the heart to refill between compressions. Leaning on the chest
can reduce venous return and decrease CPR effectiveness.
7. A rescuer performing CPR becomes fatigued and begins compressing more slowly. What
should the team do when another trained rescuer is available?
A. Stop CPR until the rescuer recovers
B. Continue with the same rescuer until the AED arrives
C. Reduce compression depth
D. Switch compressors approximately every 2 minutes
,Answer: D
Switching compressors about every 2 minutes, when another trained rescuer is available,
helps minimize fatigue and maintain effective compression rate and depth.
8. What is the standard compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-rescuer adult CPR
without an advanced airway?
A. 30:2
B. 15:2
C. 5:1
D. 10:2
Answer: A
For adult CPR without an advanced airway, rescuers perform cycles of 30 chest compressions
followed by 2 breaths. This ratio applies to both single-rescuer and two-rescuer adult CPR.
9. A rescuer is preparing to give rescue breaths using a pocket mask. What should the
rescuer do to provide an effective breath?
A. Deliver the breath as rapidly as possible
B. Give each breath over about 1 second and observe visible chest rise
C. Give three breaths simultaneously
D. Forcefully inflate the lungs until the abdomen rises
Answer: B
Each rescue breath should be delivered over about 1 second with enough volume to produce
visible chest rise. Excessive ventilation can cause complications and reduce CPR effectiveness.
10. An adult cardiac arrest patient has a pulse but is not breathing normally. What
ventilation rate is appropriate for a trained healthcare provider?
A. One breath every 2 seconds
B. One breath every 3 seconds
C. One breath every 6 seconds
D. Two breaths every 10 seconds
Answer: C
For an adult with a pulse who is not breathing normally, provide 1 breath every 6 seconds, or
about 10 breaths per minute, while continuing to reassess the patient.
11. What is the primary purpose of an AED during cardiac arrest?
, A. To measure blood pressure continuously
B. To provide oxygen automatically
C. To replace chest compressions
D. To analyze the heart rhythm and deliver a shock when indicated
Answer: D
An AED analyzes the cardiac rhythm and determines whether a shockable rhythm is present.
When a shock is advised, the AED delivers a defibrillating shock to help restore an organized
rhythm.
12. An AED announces that a shock is advised. What should rescuers do immediately
before the shock is delivered?
A. Ensure everyone is clear of the patient
B. Continue touching the patient
C. Remove the AED pads
D. Begin rescue breathing
Answer: A
Everyone must be clear of the patient before an AED shock is delivered. Physical contact with
the patient during analysis or shock can interfere with safe AED operation and expose the
rescuer to electrical energy.
13. After an AED delivers a shock, what should the rescuer generally do next?
A. Check the patient's temperature
B. Immediately resume CPR beginning with chest compressions
C. Remove the AED pads
D. Wait five minutes before reassessing
Answer: B
After a shock, rescuers should immediately resume CPR, beginning with chest compressions,
when directed by the AED or resuscitation protocol. Delaying CPR unnecessarily reduces the
quality of resuscitation.
14. During two-rescuer adult CPR, which responsibility should be coordinated carefully
between rescuers?
A. Measuring oxygen saturation every 30 seconds
B. Recording the patient's temperature
C. Compressor rotation and minimizing interruptions
D. Changing the AED battery after every analysis
LATEST EXAM 2026/2027 | A+ GRADED |
COMPREHENSIVE BLS CERTIFICATION EXAM GUIDE
1. A healthcare provider finds an adult who is unresponsive and not breathing normally.
After confirming the scene is safe, what should the provider do next?
A. Obtain a blood pressure reading
B. Activate the emergency response system and obtain an AED
C. Give two rescue breaths immediately
D. Place the patient in the recovery position
Answer: B
Activating the emergency response system and obtaining an AED are critical early actions for
an unresponsive adult who is not breathing normally. Early CPR and rapid defibrillation are
key components of effective cardiac arrest care.
2. When assessing an adult who has collapsed, which finding most strongly indicates
cardiac arrest?
A. Mild dizziness with normal breathing
B. A weak but regular pulse
C. Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal breathing
D. Slow but effective breathing
Answer: C
Cardiac arrest should be suspected when a person is unresponsive and not breathing
normally, including gasping respirations. A trained provider should promptly assess for a
pulse while activating the emergency response process.
3. A healthcare provider observes an adult patient who is unresponsive and gasping
intermittently. What is the most appropriate interpretation of the gasping?
A. Normal breathing
B. Adequate ventilation
C. A sign that CPR is unnecessary
D. Abnormal breathing associated with possible cardiac arrest
Answer: D
,Gasping is not considered normal breathing. In an unresponsive person, abnormal gasping
should prompt recognition of possible cardiac arrest and immediate resuscitation actions.
4. During adult CPR, what compression rate should a rescuer generally maintain?
A. 100 to 120 compressions per minute
B. 60 to 80 compressions per minute
C. 80 to 90 compressions per minute
D. 130 to 150 compressions per minute
Answer: A
High-quality adult CPR requires chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per
minute. Maintaining this rate helps provide effective circulation during cardiac arrest.
5. What is the recommended chest compression depth for an average adult during CPR?
A. At least 1 inch
B. At least 2 inches, while avoiding excessive depth
C. Exactly 3 inches
D. Approximately 4 inches
Answer: B
Adult chest compressions should be at least 2 inches deep while avoiding excessive depth.
Adequate depth is necessary to generate effective blood flow during CPR.
6. Which action best helps a rescuer maintain high-quality chest compressions?
A. Leaning on the chest between compressions
B. Pausing every 15 seconds
C. Allowing complete chest recoil after each compression
D. Compressing progressively more slowly
Answer: C
Complete chest recoil allows the heart to refill between compressions. Leaning on the chest
can reduce venous return and decrease CPR effectiveness.
7. A rescuer performing CPR becomes fatigued and begins compressing more slowly. What
should the team do when another trained rescuer is available?
A. Stop CPR until the rescuer recovers
B. Continue with the same rescuer until the AED arrives
C. Reduce compression depth
D. Switch compressors approximately every 2 minutes
,Answer: D
Switching compressors about every 2 minutes, when another trained rescuer is available,
helps minimize fatigue and maintain effective compression rate and depth.
8. What is the standard compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-rescuer adult CPR
without an advanced airway?
A. 30:2
B. 15:2
C. 5:1
D. 10:2
Answer: A
For adult CPR without an advanced airway, rescuers perform cycles of 30 chest compressions
followed by 2 breaths. This ratio applies to both single-rescuer and two-rescuer adult CPR.
9. A rescuer is preparing to give rescue breaths using a pocket mask. What should the
rescuer do to provide an effective breath?
A. Deliver the breath as rapidly as possible
B. Give each breath over about 1 second and observe visible chest rise
C. Give three breaths simultaneously
D. Forcefully inflate the lungs until the abdomen rises
Answer: B
Each rescue breath should be delivered over about 1 second with enough volume to produce
visible chest rise. Excessive ventilation can cause complications and reduce CPR effectiveness.
10. An adult cardiac arrest patient has a pulse but is not breathing normally. What
ventilation rate is appropriate for a trained healthcare provider?
A. One breath every 2 seconds
B. One breath every 3 seconds
C. One breath every 6 seconds
D. Two breaths every 10 seconds
Answer: C
For an adult with a pulse who is not breathing normally, provide 1 breath every 6 seconds, or
about 10 breaths per minute, while continuing to reassess the patient.
11. What is the primary purpose of an AED during cardiac arrest?
, A. To measure blood pressure continuously
B. To provide oxygen automatically
C. To replace chest compressions
D. To analyze the heart rhythm and deliver a shock when indicated
Answer: D
An AED analyzes the cardiac rhythm and determines whether a shockable rhythm is present.
When a shock is advised, the AED delivers a defibrillating shock to help restore an organized
rhythm.
12. An AED announces that a shock is advised. What should rescuers do immediately
before the shock is delivered?
A. Ensure everyone is clear of the patient
B. Continue touching the patient
C. Remove the AED pads
D. Begin rescue breathing
Answer: A
Everyone must be clear of the patient before an AED shock is delivered. Physical contact with
the patient during analysis or shock can interfere with safe AED operation and expose the
rescuer to electrical energy.
13. After an AED delivers a shock, what should the rescuer generally do next?
A. Check the patient's temperature
B. Immediately resume CPR beginning with chest compressions
C. Remove the AED pads
D. Wait five minutes before reassessing
Answer: B
After a shock, rescuers should immediately resume CPR, beginning with chest compressions,
when directed by the AED or resuscitation protocol. Delaying CPR unnecessarily reduces the
quality of resuscitation.
14. During two-rescuer adult CPR, which responsibility should be coordinated carefully
between rescuers?
A. Measuring oxygen saturation every 30 seconds
B. Recording the patient's temperature
C. Compressor rotation and minimizing interruptions
D. Changing the AED battery after every analysis
