BLS Certification Exam 2025 – Verified
Questions with AHA Updated Guidelines
& Detailed Rationales | A+ Graded
Section 1: Adult CPR and AED Use (20 Questions)
1. You find an unresponsive adult who is not breathing normally. What is your first
action?
A) Start chest compressions
B) Check for a pulse
C) Activate the emergency response system
D) Deliver rescue breaths
Answer: C. Activate the emergency response system
Rationale: The AHA BLS Guidelines prioritize activating the emergency response
system (e.g., calling 911) for an unresponsive adult not breathing normally to ensure help
arrives quickly. Compressions (A), pulse checks (B), and rescue breaths (D) follow after
activation if alone.
2. What is the recommended compression rate for adult CPR?
A) 80–100 per minute
B) 100–120 per minute
C) 120–140 per minute
D) 140–160 per minute
Answer: B. 100–120 per minute
Rationale: The AHA recommends a compression rate of 100–120 per minute (e.g., to the
beat of “Stayin’ Alive”) for adults to optimize blood flow. Slower (A) or faster (C, D)
rates reduce effectiveness.
3. (SATA) Which are components of high-quality CPR for adults?
A) Compression depth of at least 2 inches
B) Allowing complete chest recoil
C) Compressing at 80 per minute
D) Minimizing interruptions
E) Using a 15:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio
Answers: A. Compression depth of at least 2 inches, B. Allowing complete chest recoil,
D. Minimizing interruptions
Rationale: High-quality CPR includes a depth of 2–2.4 inches (A), complete chest recoil
(B), and minimal interruptions (D). The rate should be 100–120 per minute (C is
incorrect), and the ratio for adults is 30:2 (E is incorrect).
4. What is the correct hand position for adult chest compressions?
A) Upper third of the sternum
, B) Center of the chest, lower half of the sternum
C) Left side of the chest, over the heart
D) Lower third of the sternum, near the xiphoid process
Answer: B. Center of the chest, lower half of the sternum
Rationale: Compressions should be performed in the center of the chest, on the lower
half of the sternum, to effectively compress the heart. Other positions (A, C, D) are
incorrect and less effective.
5. How long should a pulse check take during adult CPR?
A) 1–5 seconds
B) 5–10 seconds
C) 10–15 seconds
D) 15–20 seconds
Answer: B. 5–10 seconds
Rationale: A pulse check should take 5–10 seconds to avoid delaying CPR. Shorter (A)
or longer (C, D) checks may lead to inaccurate assessment or prolonged interruptions.
6. (SATA) Which actions are part of the adult BLS sequence for a single rescuer?
A) Check for responsiveness
B) Activate the emergency response system
C) Start chest compressions
D) Deliver 5 rescue breaths first
E) Check for a pulse
Answers: A. Check for responsiveness, B. Activate the emergency response system, C.
Start chest compressions, E. Check for a pulse
Rationale: The BLS sequence includes checking responsiveness (A), activating EMS
(B), checking for a pulse (E), and starting compressions (C) if no pulse. Rescue breaths
(D) follow compressions, not precede them.
7. What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for adult CPR with two rescuers?
A) 15:2
B) 30:2
C) 15:1
D) 30:1
Answer: B. 30:2
Rationale: For adult CPR with two rescuers, the AHA recommends a 30:2 compression-
to-ventilation ratio to balance circulation and oxygenation. Other ratios (A, C, D) are
incorrect for adults.
8. An AED arrives for an adult in cardiac arrest. What is the first step after turning it
on?
A) Deliver a shock
B) Apply the pads to the chest
C) Check for a pulse
D) Clear the patient
Answer: B. Apply the pads to the chest
Rationale: After turning on the AED, apply the pads to the chest (upper right and lower
left) to allow rhythm analysis. Shocking (A), pulse checks (C), and clearing (D) occur
later.
Questions with AHA Updated Guidelines
& Detailed Rationales | A+ Graded
Section 1: Adult CPR and AED Use (20 Questions)
1. You find an unresponsive adult who is not breathing normally. What is your first
action?
A) Start chest compressions
B) Check for a pulse
C) Activate the emergency response system
D) Deliver rescue breaths
Answer: C. Activate the emergency response system
Rationale: The AHA BLS Guidelines prioritize activating the emergency response
system (e.g., calling 911) for an unresponsive adult not breathing normally to ensure help
arrives quickly. Compressions (A), pulse checks (B), and rescue breaths (D) follow after
activation if alone.
2. What is the recommended compression rate for adult CPR?
A) 80–100 per minute
B) 100–120 per minute
C) 120–140 per minute
D) 140–160 per minute
Answer: B. 100–120 per minute
Rationale: The AHA recommends a compression rate of 100–120 per minute (e.g., to the
beat of “Stayin’ Alive”) for adults to optimize blood flow. Slower (A) or faster (C, D)
rates reduce effectiveness.
3. (SATA) Which are components of high-quality CPR for adults?
A) Compression depth of at least 2 inches
B) Allowing complete chest recoil
C) Compressing at 80 per minute
D) Minimizing interruptions
E) Using a 15:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio
Answers: A. Compression depth of at least 2 inches, B. Allowing complete chest recoil,
D. Minimizing interruptions
Rationale: High-quality CPR includes a depth of 2–2.4 inches (A), complete chest recoil
(B), and minimal interruptions (D). The rate should be 100–120 per minute (C is
incorrect), and the ratio for adults is 30:2 (E is incorrect).
4. What is the correct hand position for adult chest compressions?
A) Upper third of the sternum
, B) Center of the chest, lower half of the sternum
C) Left side of the chest, over the heart
D) Lower third of the sternum, near the xiphoid process
Answer: B. Center of the chest, lower half of the sternum
Rationale: Compressions should be performed in the center of the chest, on the lower
half of the sternum, to effectively compress the heart. Other positions (A, C, D) are
incorrect and less effective.
5. How long should a pulse check take during adult CPR?
A) 1–5 seconds
B) 5–10 seconds
C) 10–15 seconds
D) 15–20 seconds
Answer: B. 5–10 seconds
Rationale: A pulse check should take 5–10 seconds to avoid delaying CPR. Shorter (A)
or longer (C, D) checks may lead to inaccurate assessment or prolonged interruptions.
6. (SATA) Which actions are part of the adult BLS sequence for a single rescuer?
A) Check for responsiveness
B) Activate the emergency response system
C) Start chest compressions
D) Deliver 5 rescue breaths first
E) Check for a pulse
Answers: A. Check for responsiveness, B. Activate the emergency response system, C.
Start chest compressions, E. Check for a pulse
Rationale: The BLS sequence includes checking responsiveness (A), activating EMS
(B), checking for a pulse (E), and starting compressions (C) if no pulse. Rescue breaths
(D) follow compressions, not precede them.
7. What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for adult CPR with two rescuers?
A) 15:2
B) 30:2
C) 15:1
D) 30:1
Answer: B. 30:2
Rationale: For adult CPR with two rescuers, the AHA recommends a 30:2 compression-
to-ventilation ratio to balance circulation and oxygenation. Other ratios (A, C, D) are
incorrect for adults.
8. An AED arrives for an adult in cardiac arrest. What is the first step after turning it
on?
A) Deliver a shock
B) Apply the pads to the chest
C) Check for a pulse
D) Clear the patient
Answer: B. Apply the pads to the chest
Rationale: After turning on the AED, apply the pads to the chest (upper right and lower
left) to allow rhythm analysis. Shocking (A), pulse checks (C), and clearing (D) occur
later.
