BLS EXAM (140 QUESTIONS) ACTUAL 2026 QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS ()/ A+ GRADE COMPLETE
1.
you find an adult collapsed and unresponsive. you call for help and confirm
there is no response.
what should you do next before starting cpr?
a. give two rescue breaths
b. check for breathing and pulse simultaneously
c. begin chest compressions immediately
d. attach the aed and deliver a shock
answer: b
explanation: after confirming unresponsiveness, you should check for
normal breathing and pulse for no more than 10 seconds before starting
compressions.
2.
while performing chest compressions on an adult, you want to ensure proper
hand placement.
where should your hands be positioned?
a. on the upper half of the sternum
b. on the lower half of the sternum
c. on the center of the abdomen
d. on the left side of the chest
answer: b
explanation: hands should be placed on the lower half of the sternum to
achieve effective compressions and avoid injury.
,3.
you are performing compressions on an adult victim.
what is the correct compression rate per minute?
a. 80–100
b. 100–120
c. 120–140
d. 90–110
answer: b
explanation: the correct rate for adult cpr is between 100 and 120
compressions per minute according to aha 2025 guidelines.
4.
when providing chest compressions to an adult, how deep should you
compress?
a. at least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
b. about 1.5 inches (4 cm)
c. at least 2 inches (5 cm) but not more than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
d. about 3 inches (7.5 cm)
answer: c
explanation: compressions should be deep enough to create blood flow but
not so deep that they cause injury.
5.
after delivering a shock with an aed, the aed instructs “shock delivered.”
what should you do immediately next?
a. check the pulse and breathing
b. resume chest compressions immediately
,c. deliver another shock
d. wait for further aed instructions
answer: b
explanation: immediately resume chest compressions after the shock to
maintain circulation.
6.
you are performing cpr on an adult and another trained rescuer arrives.
what is the best action to take next?
a. alternate giving breaths and compressions together
b. switch roles every two minutes to prevent fatigue
c. both rescuers compress the chest at the same time
d. one rescuer holds the airway while the other gives only breaths
answer: b
explanation: rescuers should switch roles every two minutes or after five
cycles of cpr to maintain quality compressions.
7.
what is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-rescuer
adult cpr?
a. 15:2
b. 30:2
c. 5:1
d. 10:1
answer: b
explanation: both single-rescuer and two-rescuer adult cpr use a ratio of 30
compressions to 2 breaths.
8.
, when using a bag-mask device for ventilations during cpr, how can you
ensure adequate ventilation?
a. give breaths rapidly without pause
b. watch for visible chest rise with each breath
c. deliver 3–4 quick breaths before compressions
d. use the bag with one hand only
answer: b
explanation: visible chest rise confirms that enough air is entering the
lungs.
9.
you find an adult who is not breathing but has a pulse.
what should you do next?
a. begin chest compressions immediately
b. give 1 breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths per minute)
c. give 2 breaths every 10 seconds
d. perform abdominal thrusts
answer: b
explanation: provide rescue breathing at a rate of 1 breath every 6 seconds
for adults with a pulse but no breathing.
10.
during cpr, you notice the chest does not fully recoil after each compression.
why is this a problem?
a. it increases blood return to the heart
b. it decreases coronary perfusion
c. it increases cardiac output
d. it improves ventilation
VERIFIED ANSWERS ()/ A+ GRADE COMPLETE
1.
you find an adult collapsed and unresponsive. you call for help and confirm
there is no response.
what should you do next before starting cpr?
a. give two rescue breaths
b. check for breathing and pulse simultaneously
c. begin chest compressions immediately
d. attach the aed and deliver a shock
answer: b
explanation: after confirming unresponsiveness, you should check for
normal breathing and pulse for no more than 10 seconds before starting
compressions.
2.
while performing chest compressions on an adult, you want to ensure proper
hand placement.
where should your hands be positioned?
a. on the upper half of the sternum
b. on the lower half of the sternum
c. on the center of the abdomen
d. on the left side of the chest
answer: b
explanation: hands should be placed on the lower half of the sternum to
achieve effective compressions and avoid injury.
,3.
you are performing compressions on an adult victim.
what is the correct compression rate per minute?
a. 80–100
b. 100–120
c. 120–140
d. 90–110
answer: b
explanation: the correct rate for adult cpr is between 100 and 120
compressions per minute according to aha 2025 guidelines.
4.
when providing chest compressions to an adult, how deep should you
compress?
a. at least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
b. about 1.5 inches (4 cm)
c. at least 2 inches (5 cm) but not more than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
d. about 3 inches (7.5 cm)
answer: c
explanation: compressions should be deep enough to create blood flow but
not so deep that they cause injury.
5.
after delivering a shock with an aed, the aed instructs “shock delivered.”
what should you do immediately next?
a. check the pulse and breathing
b. resume chest compressions immediately
,c. deliver another shock
d. wait for further aed instructions
answer: b
explanation: immediately resume chest compressions after the shock to
maintain circulation.
6.
you are performing cpr on an adult and another trained rescuer arrives.
what is the best action to take next?
a. alternate giving breaths and compressions together
b. switch roles every two minutes to prevent fatigue
c. both rescuers compress the chest at the same time
d. one rescuer holds the airway while the other gives only breaths
answer: b
explanation: rescuers should switch roles every two minutes or after five
cycles of cpr to maintain quality compressions.
7.
what is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-rescuer
adult cpr?
a. 15:2
b. 30:2
c. 5:1
d. 10:1
answer: b
explanation: both single-rescuer and two-rescuer adult cpr use a ratio of 30
compressions to 2 breaths.
8.
, when using a bag-mask device for ventilations during cpr, how can you
ensure adequate ventilation?
a. give breaths rapidly without pause
b. watch for visible chest rise with each breath
c. deliver 3–4 quick breaths before compressions
d. use the bag with one hand only
answer: b
explanation: visible chest rise confirms that enough air is entering the
lungs.
9.
you find an adult who is not breathing but has a pulse.
what should you do next?
a. begin chest compressions immediately
b. give 1 breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths per minute)
c. give 2 breaths every 10 seconds
d. perform abdominal thrusts
answer: b
explanation: provide rescue breathing at a rate of 1 breath every 6 seconds
for adults with a pulse but no breathing.
10.
during cpr, you notice the chest does not fully recoil after each compression.
why is this a problem?
a. it increases blood return to the heart
b. it decreases coronary perfusion
c. it increases cardiac output
d. it improves ventilation
