AHA BLS for Healthcare Providers | Complete Test 2026/2027 | Current AHA Guidelines
BLS AHA for Healthcare Providers
Complete Test - 2026/2027 Edition
Aligned with the 2026/2027 AHA BLS Provider Manual and current Guidelines for CPR & ECC
Total Questions: 90 (multiple choice, single best answer)
Cognitive Mix: 35% Recall | 45% Application | 20% Analysis
Format: 65% scenario-based | 35% direct recall
Sections: 8 integrated BLS content domains
Time Allotted: 60 minutes (average ~40 sec per question)
Passing Standard: AHA BLS Provider written standard - 84% correct
Examination Instructions
1. Each question has four response options (A, B, C, D). Select the single best answer.
2. Numerical values (compression rate, depth, ratios, ventilation rates) follow the 2026/2027 AHA Guidelines for CPR &
ECC and the AHA BLS Provider Manual.
3. The Correct Answer and a Rationale are provided immediately beneath each question for self-study review.
4. Rationales cite AHA Guidelines reasoning, sequence requirements, and the underlying resuscitation physiology.
Distractors represent common AHA BLS exam pitfalls.
5. The bolded accent line marks the correct option. All other options are plausible distractors that reflect common BLS
sequence or numeric errors.
SECTION 1 | BLS Course Overview and Chain of Survival Q1 - Q10
Q1. A 56-year-old male collapses in a shopping mall parking lot. Bystanders call 911 and begin CPR.
Which sequence represents the correct Adult Out-of-Hospital Chain of Survival per current AHA
Guidelines?
A. Activation of emergency response, immediate high-quality CPR, rapid defibrillation, advanced life
support, post-cardiac arrest care, recovery
B. Rapid defibrillation, activation of emergency response, high-quality CPR, advanced life support,
recovery, post-cardiac arrest care
C. High-quality CPR, rapid defibrillation, activation of emergency response, advanced life support,
post-cardiac arrest care
D. Recognition of cardiac arrest, activation of emergency response, immediate high-quality CPR,
rapid defibrillation, advanced life support, post-cardiac arrest care, recovery [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The 2026/2027 AHA Out-of-Hospital Adult Chain of Survival consists of 7 links: (1) Recognition of cardiac
arrest and activation of the emergency response system, (2) Immediate high-quality CPR, (3) Rapid defibrillation with
an AED, (4) Advanced life support, (5) Post-cardiac arrest care, and (6) Recovery. Recognition precedes activation
because bystanders must first recognize that the patient is unresponsive with absent or abnormal breathing. Recovery is
the most recently added link, emphasizing survivor-centered outcomes.
BLS Complete Test - 90 Questions Page 1
,AHA BLS for Healthcare Providers | Complete Test 2026/2027 | Current AHA Guidelines
Q2. A patient on a medical-surgical unit goes unresponsive. Which of the following represents the Adult
In-Hospital Chain of Survival per current AHA Guidelines?
A. Surveillance and prevention, recognition and activation of emergency response, immediate
high-quality CPR, rapid defibrillation, advanced life support, post-cardiac arrest care, recovery
[CORRECT]
B. Activation of emergency response, high-quality CPR, rapid defibrillation, post-cardiac arrest care
C. Rapid defibrillation only
D. Surveillance, advanced life support, recovery
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The In-Hospital Chain of Survival differs from the out-of-hospital chain by adding "Surveillance and
prevention" as the first link, recognizing that many in-hospital arrests are preceded by detectable deterioration. The
remaining links mirror the out-of-hospital chain: recognition/activation, immediate high-quality CPR, rapid
defibrillation, advanced life support, post-cardiac arrest care, and recovery. Surveillance includes monitoring for early
warning signs (e.g., MEWS/NEWS scoring) to allow intervention before arrest.
Q3. A 4-year-old child is found unresponsive in a public pool area. Which statement best describes a key
difference between the Pediatric and Adult Out-of-Hospital Chains of Survival?
A. Pediatric chains omit rapid defibrillation entirely
B. Pediatric arrests are most often cardiac in origin, identical to adults
C. Pediatric arrests are frequently respiratory/asphyxial in origin, making immediate CPR with
rescue breathing a higher priority before activating emergency response (Call-first vs Care-first
distinction) [CORRECT]
D. Pediatric chains do not include post-cardiac arrest care
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pediatric out-of-hospital arrest is most commonly caused by asphyxia (drowning, suffocation, choking,
SIDS) rather than primary cardiac arrhythmia. For this reason, when a lone rescuer encounters an unwitnessed
pediatric arrest, the AHA recommends "Care-first": provide 2 minutes of CPR (5 cycles) before leaving to activate
emergency response and retrieve an AED. For a witnessed sudden collapse (likely cardiac), Call-first is appropriate.
The remaining links (CPR, defibrillation, ALS, post-arrest care, recovery) are otherwise equivalent.
Q4. When the code team responds to an in-hospital pediatric arrest on the pediatric ICU, which of the
following is the single most important first action before initiating resuscitation?
A. Obtain a complete past medical history from the chart
B. Verify the patient is unresponsive, has absent or abnormal breathing, and check for a pulse (no
longer than 10 seconds) before beginning CPR [CORRECT]
C. Wait for the attending physician before any intervention
D. Immediately defibrillate without assessing rhythm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Per AHA Guidelines, the first step in any BLS response is verifying unresponsiveness, absent/abnormal
breathing, and pulse check (no more than 10 seconds) before beginning CPR. If pulse is absent or there is no breathing
(or only agonal gasps), begin CPR immediately starting with compressions. Agonal gasps are not normal breathing and
indicate cardiac arrest. Delaying compressions for history (A), waiting for an attending (C), or defibrillating before
rhythm check (D) all delay critical interventions.
BLS Complete Test - 90 Questions Page 2
,AHA BLS for Healthcare Providers | Complete Test 2026/2027 | Current AHA Guidelines
Q5. A 62-year-old male is found unresponsive on the floor of a busy bus terminal. A healthcare provider
approaches. According to the BLS sequence, what is the very first action the provider must take before
approaching the patient?
A. Check for a pulse immediately
B. Begin chest compressions immediately
C. Ensure scene safety [CORRECT]
D. Apply the AED pads
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Scene safety is the universal first step before any rescuer approaches a patient - especially in out-of-hospital
settings where traffic, fire, electrical hazards, violence, or toxic exposure may exist. Only after the scene is safe should
the provider assess responsiveness, breathing, and pulse. Even in emergency situations, a provider who becomes a second
victim cannot help the first. The other options skip the safety check and risk rescuer injury.
Q6. A bystander reports that an elderly man collapsed and is "still breathing." On arrival the APN notes
slow, irregular gasping respirations at a rate of about 4 per minute. The patient is unresponsive. What is
the correct interpretation and action?
A. The patient is breathing normally; place in recovery position and monitor
B. These are agonal gasps and indicate cardiac arrest; check pulse for no more than 10 seconds and
begin CPR if no pulse detected [CORRECT]
C. These are normal respirations; do not intervene
D. These are Cheyne-Stokes respirations indicating a stroke; call a stroke code only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Agonal gasps are slow, irregular, often noisy inspirations that occur in the first minutes after cardiac arrest.
They are NOT normal breathing and do NOT indicate effective respiration. The correct action is to treat the patient as a
cardiac arrest: check pulse for no more than 10 seconds, and if no definite pulse is felt, begin CPR immediately starting
with compressions. Misinterpreting agonal gasps as normal breathing is a common cause of delayed CPR.
Cheyne-Stokes is a different pattern with crescendo-decrescendo hyperpnea alternating with apnea.
Q7. A lone healthcare provider witnesses a sudden collapse in an airport terminal. The provider has a cell
phone. What is the most efficient correct action sequence to activate emergency response and begin CPR?
A. Call 911 on the cell phone while simultaneously beginning chest compressions using the phone's
speaker function [CORRECT]
B. Leave the patient to find a landline phone, then return
C. Begin CPR for 2 minutes, then leave to call 911
D. Wait for a bystander to call 911 before beginning CPR
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For a witnessed adult collapse, the lone rescuer should immediately activate the emergency response system
using their cell phone (speaker mode allows continued communication while starting compressions) and retrieve an AED
if available nearby. Beginning chest compressions while the call connects minimizes "no-flow" time. The "witnessed
sudden collapse" pattern implies cardiac etiology (Call-first). Leaving the patient to find a landline (B) or delaying
activation (C) wastes time. Waiting for a bystander (D) is acceptable if one is present but should not delay compressions.
BLS Complete Test - 90 Questions Page 3
, AHA BLS for Healthcare Providers | Complete Test 2026/2027 | Current AHA Guidelines
Q8. Which of the following correctly identifies the 5 critical components of high-quality CPR per current
AHA Guidelines?
A. Compression rate 100-120/min, compression depth at least 2 inches for adults, full chest recoil,
minimizing interruptions, and avoiding excessive ventilation [CORRECT]
B. Compression rate 80-100/min, depth 1.5 inches, partial recoil, allow pauses, hyperventilate
C. Compression rate 120-140/min, depth 3 inches, partial recoil, no interruptions, 30 breaths/min
D. Compression rate 60-80/min, depth 2.5 inches, full recoil, no interruptions, no ventilation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The 5 critical components of high-quality CPR per AHA are: (1) Compression rate 100-120/min; (2)
Compression depth at least 2 inches (5 cm) in adults, about 2 inches (5 cm) in children, about 1.5 inches (4 cm) in
infants - avoid excessive depth; (3) Allow full chest recoil between compressions; (4) Minimize interruptions to <10
seconds (target chest compression fraction >=60% but ideally >=80%); (5) Avoid excessive ventilation (recommended
rate 1 breath every 6 seconds with advanced airway, ~10 breaths/min). All five components are required simultaneously
for effective CPR; deficits in any one markedly reduce survival.
Q9. A patient collapses in a hospital lobby. A nurse notices the patient has just achieved Return of
Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC) after bystander CPR and AED use. Which of the following is the most
appropriate immediate positioning and monitoring action?
A. Sit the patient upright and ambulate
B. Place the patient in a supine or lateral recovery position if unresponsive but breathing, monitor
vital signs continuously, and prepare for transport to definitive care [CORRECT]
C. Place in prone position
D. Place in Trendelenburg position
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: After ROSC, if the patient is unresponsive but has effective breathing, place them in a lateral recovery
position to maintain airway patency and reduce aspiration risk. If responsive, place supine or in a comfortable position.
Monitor vital signs (SpO2, BP, HR), provide oxygen to target SpO2 94-99%, and arrange transport to definitive care.
Upright ambulation (A) is contraindicated post-arrest; prone (C) and Trendelenburg (D) positions are not indicated for
routine post-ROSC care.
Q10. A patient regains consciousness after successful CPR and defibrillation but is drowsy and has an
intact airway with adequate breathing. The decision is made to place the patient in the recovery position.
Which of the following is the correct indication for placing a patient in the recovery position per AHA
Guidelines?
A. Any unresponsive patient, including those without a pulse
B. A patient with a pulse but who is unresponsive or has altered mental status and is breathing
adequately, when there is no concern for cervical spine injury [CORRECT]
C. A patient who is awake and alert
D. A patient in cardiac arrest with ongoing CPR
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The recovery position is indicated for an unresponsive patient with a pulse and adequate breathing (no need
for CPR), to maintain airway patency and reduce aspiration risk. It should NOT be used during active CPR (A), for
awake patients (C), or for patients in cardiac arrest (D). If cervical spine injury is suspected (e.g., trauma, diving
accident), the patient should be kept supine with manual stabilization rather than rotated. The recovery position should
be periodically reassessed for airway patency and pulse.
BLS Complete Test - 90 Questions Page 4
BLS AHA for Healthcare Providers
Complete Test - 2026/2027 Edition
Aligned with the 2026/2027 AHA BLS Provider Manual and current Guidelines for CPR & ECC
Total Questions: 90 (multiple choice, single best answer)
Cognitive Mix: 35% Recall | 45% Application | 20% Analysis
Format: 65% scenario-based | 35% direct recall
Sections: 8 integrated BLS content domains
Time Allotted: 60 minutes (average ~40 sec per question)
Passing Standard: AHA BLS Provider written standard - 84% correct
Examination Instructions
1. Each question has four response options (A, B, C, D). Select the single best answer.
2. Numerical values (compression rate, depth, ratios, ventilation rates) follow the 2026/2027 AHA Guidelines for CPR &
ECC and the AHA BLS Provider Manual.
3. The Correct Answer and a Rationale are provided immediately beneath each question for self-study review.
4. Rationales cite AHA Guidelines reasoning, sequence requirements, and the underlying resuscitation physiology.
Distractors represent common AHA BLS exam pitfalls.
5. The bolded accent line marks the correct option. All other options are plausible distractors that reflect common BLS
sequence or numeric errors.
SECTION 1 | BLS Course Overview and Chain of Survival Q1 - Q10
Q1. A 56-year-old male collapses in a shopping mall parking lot. Bystanders call 911 and begin CPR.
Which sequence represents the correct Adult Out-of-Hospital Chain of Survival per current AHA
Guidelines?
A. Activation of emergency response, immediate high-quality CPR, rapid defibrillation, advanced life
support, post-cardiac arrest care, recovery
B. Rapid defibrillation, activation of emergency response, high-quality CPR, advanced life support,
recovery, post-cardiac arrest care
C. High-quality CPR, rapid defibrillation, activation of emergency response, advanced life support,
post-cardiac arrest care
D. Recognition of cardiac arrest, activation of emergency response, immediate high-quality CPR,
rapid defibrillation, advanced life support, post-cardiac arrest care, recovery [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The 2026/2027 AHA Out-of-Hospital Adult Chain of Survival consists of 7 links: (1) Recognition of cardiac
arrest and activation of the emergency response system, (2) Immediate high-quality CPR, (3) Rapid defibrillation with
an AED, (4) Advanced life support, (5) Post-cardiac arrest care, and (6) Recovery. Recognition precedes activation
because bystanders must first recognize that the patient is unresponsive with absent or abnormal breathing. Recovery is
the most recently added link, emphasizing survivor-centered outcomes.
BLS Complete Test - 90 Questions Page 1
,AHA BLS for Healthcare Providers | Complete Test 2026/2027 | Current AHA Guidelines
Q2. A patient on a medical-surgical unit goes unresponsive. Which of the following represents the Adult
In-Hospital Chain of Survival per current AHA Guidelines?
A. Surveillance and prevention, recognition and activation of emergency response, immediate
high-quality CPR, rapid defibrillation, advanced life support, post-cardiac arrest care, recovery
[CORRECT]
B. Activation of emergency response, high-quality CPR, rapid defibrillation, post-cardiac arrest care
C. Rapid defibrillation only
D. Surveillance, advanced life support, recovery
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The In-Hospital Chain of Survival differs from the out-of-hospital chain by adding "Surveillance and
prevention" as the first link, recognizing that many in-hospital arrests are preceded by detectable deterioration. The
remaining links mirror the out-of-hospital chain: recognition/activation, immediate high-quality CPR, rapid
defibrillation, advanced life support, post-cardiac arrest care, and recovery. Surveillance includes monitoring for early
warning signs (e.g., MEWS/NEWS scoring) to allow intervention before arrest.
Q3. A 4-year-old child is found unresponsive in a public pool area. Which statement best describes a key
difference between the Pediatric and Adult Out-of-Hospital Chains of Survival?
A. Pediatric chains omit rapid defibrillation entirely
B. Pediatric arrests are most often cardiac in origin, identical to adults
C. Pediatric arrests are frequently respiratory/asphyxial in origin, making immediate CPR with
rescue breathing a higher priority before activating emergency response (Call-first vs Care-first
distinction) [CORRECT]
D. Pediatric chains do not include post-cardiac arrest care
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pediatric out-of-hospital arrest is most commonly caused by asphyxia (drowning, suffocation, choking,
SIDS) rather than primary cardiac arrhythmia. For this reason, when a lone rescuer encounters an unwitnessed
pediatric arrest, the AHA recommends "Care-first": provide 2 minutes of CPR (5 cycles) before leaving to activate
emergency response and retrieve an AED. For a witnessed sudden collapse (likely cardiac), Call-first is appropriate.
The remaining links (CPR, defibrillation, ALS, post-arrest care, recovery) are otherwise equivalent.
Q4. When the code team responds to an in-hospital pediatric arrest on the pediatric ICU, which of the
following is the single most important first action before initiating resuscitation?
A. Obtain a complete past medical history from the chart
B. Verify the patient is unresponsive, has absent or abnormal breathing, and check for a pulse (no
longer than 10 seconds) before beginning CPR [CORRECT]
C. Wait for the attending physician before any intervention
D. Immediately defibrillate without assessing rhythm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Per AHA Guidelines, the first step in any BLS response is verifying unresponsiveness, absent/abnormal
breathing, and pulse check (no more than 10 seconds) before beginning CPR. If pulse is absent or there is no breathing
(or only agonal gasps), begin CPR immediately starting with compressions. Agonal gasps are not normal breathing and
indicate cardiac arrest. Delaying compressions for history (A), waiting for an attending (C), or defibrillating before
rhythm check (D) all delay critical interventions.
BLS Complete Test - 90 Questions Page 2
,AHA BLS for Healthcare Providers | Complete Test 2026/2027 | Current AHA Guidelines
Q5. A 62-year-old male is found unresponsive on the floor of a busy bus terminal. A healthcare provider
approaches. According to the BLS sequence, what is the very first action the provider must take before
approaching the patient?
A. Check for a pulse immediately
B. Begin chest compressions immediately
C. Ensure scene safety [CORRECT]
D. Apply the AED pads
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Scene safety is the universal first step before any rescuer approaches a patient - especially in out-of-hospital
settings where traffic, fire, electrical hazards, violence, or toxic exposure may exist. Only after the scene is safe should
the provider assess responsiveness, breathing, and pulse. Even in emergency situations, a provider who becomes a second
victim cannot help the first. The other options skip the safety check and risk rescuer injury.
Q6. A bystander reports that an elderly man collapsed and is "still breathing." On arrival the APN notes
slow, irregular gasping respirations at a rate of about 4 per minute. The patient is unresponsive. What is
the correct interpretation and action?
A. The patient is breathing normally; place in recovery position and monitor
B. These are agonal gasps and indicate cardiac arrest; check pulse for no more than 10 seconds and
begin CPR if no pulse detected [CORRECT]
C. These are normal respirations; do not intervene
D. These are Cheyne-Stokes respirations indicating a stroke; call a stroke code only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Agonal gasps are slow, irregular, often noisy inspirations that occur in the first minutes after cardiac arrest.
They are NOT normal breathing and do NOT indicate effective respiration. The correct action is to treat the patient as a
cardiac arrest: check pulse for no more than 10 seconds, and if no definite pulse is felt, begin CPR immediately starting
with compressions. Misinterpreting agonal gasps as normal breathing is a common cause of delayed CPR.
Cheyne-Stokes is a different pattern with crescendo-decrescendo hyperpnea alternating with apnea.
Q7. A lone healthcare provider witnesses a sudden collapse in an airport terminal. The provider has a cell
phone. What is the most efficient correct action sequence to activate emergency response and begin CPR?
A. Call 911 on the cell phone while simultaneously beginning chest compressions using the phone's
speaker function [CORRECT]
B. Leave the patient to find a landline phone, then return
C. Begin CPR for 2 minutes, then leave to call 911
D. Wait for a bystander to call 911 before beginning CPR
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For a witnessed adult collapse, the lone rescuer should immediately activate the emergency response system
using their cell phone (speaker mode allows continued communication while starting compressions) and retrieve an AED
if available nearby. Beginning chest compressions while the call connects minimizes "no-flow" time. The "witnessed
sudden collapse" pattern implies cardiac etiology (Call-first). Leaving the patient to find a landline (B) or delaying
activation (C) wastes time. Waiting for a bystander (D) is acceptable if one is present but should not delay compressions.
BLS Complete Test - 90 Questions Page 3
, AHA BLS for Healthcare Providers | Complete Test 2026/2027 | Current AHA Guidelines
Q8. Which of the following correctly identifies the 5 critical components of high-quality CPR per current
AHA Guidelines?
A. Compression rate 100-120/min, compression depth at least 2 inches for adults, full chest recoil,
minimizing interruptions, and avoiding excessive ventilation [CORRECT]
B. Compression rate 80-100/min, depth 1.5 inches, partial recoil, allow pauses, hyperventilate
C. Compression rate 120-140/min, depth 3 inches, partial recoil, no interruptions, 30 breaths/min
D. Compression rate 60-80/min, depth 2.5 inches, full recoil, no interruptions, no ventilation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The 5 critical components of high-quality CPR per AHA are: (1) Compression rate 100-120/min; (2)
Compression depth at least 2 inches (5 cm) in adults, about 2 inches (5 cm) in children, about 1.5 inches (4 cm) in
infants - avoid excessive depth; (3) Allow full chest recoil between compressions; (4) Minimize interruptions to <10
seconds (target chest compression fraction >=60% but ideally >=80%); (5) Avoid excessive ventilation (recommended
rate 1 breath every 6 seconds with advanced airway, ~10 breaths/min). All five components are required simultaneously
for effective CPR; deficits in any one markedly reduce survival.
Q9. A patient collapses in a hospital lobby. A nurse notices the patient has just achieved Return of
Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC) after bystander CPR and AED use. Which of the following is the most
appropriate immediate positioning and monitoring action?
A. Sit the patient upright and ambulate
B. Place the patient in a supine or lateral recovery position if unresponsive but breathing, monitor
vital signs continuously, and prepare for transport to definitive care [CORRECT]
C. Place in prone position
D. Place in Trendelenburg position
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: After ROSC, if the patient is unresponsive but has effective breathing, place them in a lateral recovery
position to maintain airway patency and reduce aspiration risk. If responsive, place supine or in a comfortable position.
Monitor vital signs (SpO2, BP, HR), provide oxygen to target SpO2 94-99%, and arrange transport to definitive care.
Upright ambulation (A) is contraindicated post-arrest; prone (C) and Trendelenburg (D) positions are not indicated for
routine post-ROSC care.
Q10. A patient regains consciousness after successful CPR and defibrillation but is drowsy and has an
intact airway with adequate breathing. The decision is made to place the patient in the recovery position.
Which of the following is the correct indication for placing a patient in the recovery position per AHA
Guidelines?
A. Any unresponsive patient, including those without a pulse
B. A patient with a pulse but who is unresponsive or has altered mental status and is breathing
adequately, when there is no concern for cervical spine injury [CORRECT]
C. A patient who is awake and alert
D. A patient in cardiac arrest with ongoing CPR
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The recovery position is indicated for an unresponsive patient with a pulse and adequate breathing (no need
for CPR), to maintain airway patency and reduce aspiration risk. It should NOT be used during active CPR (A), for
awake patients (C), or for patients in cardiac arrest (D). If cervical spine injury is suspected (e.g., trauma, diving
accident), the patient should be kept supine with manual stabilization rather than rotated. The recovery position should
be periodically reassessed for airway patency and pulse.
BLS Complete Test - 90 Questions Page 4
