BLS HOSPITAL CORPSMAN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100%
CORRECT | UPDATED 2025
Question 1
To perform the head-tilt/chin-lift technique on an adult to open the airway, you should:
A) Press down on the forehead while pulling up on the soft part of the chin.
B) Press down on the forehead while pulling up on the bony part of the chin.
C) Lift the chin with one hand while keeping the head in a neutral position.
D) Place both hands on the jaw and lift it forward.
Correct Answer: B) Press down on the forehead while pulling up on the bony part of the
chin.
Rationale: This is the correct procedure. Pressing on the forehead tilts the head back, and
lifting the bony part of the chin pulls the tongue away from the back of the throat, opening
the airway. Pulling on the soft tissue under the chin (A) can obstruct the airway.
Question 2
A provider is caring for an unresponsive patient who was involved in a motor vehicle collision.
Which maneuver should be used to open the patient's airway?
A) Head-tilt/chin-lift
B) Modified Jaw-Thrust
C) Abdominal thrust
D) Back blows
Correct Answer: B) Modified Jaw-Thrust Maneuver
Rationale: The modified jaw-thrust is the recommended technique for opening the airway
when a head, neck, or spinal injury is suspected. It is performed by kneeling above the
patient's head and using the fingers to push the angles of the lower jaw forward without
tilting the head.
Question 3
Once the airway is open, the provider should simultaneously check for breathing and a carotid
pulse for:
A) At least 2 but no more than 5 seconds.
B) Exactly 10 seconds.
C) At least 5 but no more than 10 seconds.
D) As long as it takes to be certain.
Correct Answer: C) At least 5 but no more than 10 seconds.
Rationale: This specific timeframe is critical to minimize delays in starting CPR. The
provider must perform a quick but thorough check for breathing and a pulse, taking no
longer than 10 seconds to make a determination.
Question 4
Isolated or infrequent gasping that occurs in an unconscious patient after the heart has stopped
,[Type here]
beating is known as:
A) Normal breathing
B) Apnea
C) Agonal breaths
D) Bradypnea
Correct Answer: C) Agonal Breaths
Rationale: Agonal breaths are not effective breathing. They are a reflexive brainstem
response that can occur in the first few minutes of cardiac arrest. They should be treated as
a sign of cardiac arrest, not as adequate breathing.
Question 5
For an adult patient in respiratory arrest with a pulse, how many ventilations should be given and
how often?
A) 1 ventilation every 3 to 5 seconds
B) 2 ventilations every 10 seconds
C) 1 ventilation every 5 to 6 seconds
D) 2 ventilations every 15 seconds
Correct Answer: C) Give 1 ventilation every 5 to 6 seconds
Rationale: The correct rate for rescue breathing in an adult is to provide one ventilation
every 5 to 6 seconds, which equates to about 10 to 12 ventilations per minute. Each breath
should last about 1 second.
Question 6
What is the medical term for the necrosis (death) of heart tissue that results from a loss of
oxygenated blood supply?
A) Cardiac arrest
B) Angina pectoris
C) Myocardial infarction
D) Heart failure
Correct Answer: C) myocardial infarction
Rationale: Myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, is the irreversible
death of heart muscle tissue caused by a prolonged lack of oxygen, typically due to a
blockage in a coronary artery.
Question 7
Discontinuing care for a patient once it has been initiated, without ensuring a transfer of care to
another provider with equal or greater training, is known as:
A) Battery
B) Negligence
, [Type here]
C) Abandonment
D) Breach of duty
Correct Answer: C) Abandonment
Rationale: Abandonment is a legal term for leaving a patient after care has been started,
without releasing them to a provider of equal or higher level of training. Once you start
providing care, you have a duty to continue until a higher authority takes over.
Question 8
A systematic, continuous approach for quick and accurate assessment, rapid recognition, and
immediate care in emergency situations is the:
A) Chain of Survival
B) Assess, Recognize and Care Concept
C) SAMPLE history
D) AVPU scale
Correct Answer: B) Assess, Recognize and Care Concept
Rationale: This concept emphasizes a continuous cycle of assessing the scene and the
patient, recognizing any life-threatening conditions, and providing the appropriate care
immediately.
Question 9
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is designed to deliver a shock to patients with which
of the following heart rhythms?
A) Asystole and Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)
B) Ventricular Fibrillation and Ventricular Tachycardia
C) Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter
D) Sinus Bradycardia and Sinus Tachycardia
Correct Answer: B) Ventricular Fibrillation and Ventricular Tachycardia
Rationale: AEDs are specifically programmed to detect and treat the two shockable cardiac
arrest rhythms: Ventricular Fibrillation (a chaotic quivering of the heart) and Pulseless
Ventricular Tachycardia (a very rapid, ineffective heartbeat).
Question 10
During chest compressions, what is the mechanism that moves blood out of the heart?
A) The heart is squeezed between the breastbone (sternum) and the spine.
B) The negative pressure from chest recoil pulls blood out.
C) The ventricles contract in response to the pressure.
D) The atria are filled with blood from the veins.
Correct Answer: A) The heart is squeezed between the breastbone (sternum) and the spine.
Rationale: Chest compressions work by physically compressing the heart, forcing blood out
CORRECT | UPDATED 2025
Question 1
To perform the head-tilt/chin-lift technique on an adult to open the airway, you should:
A) Press down on the forehead while pulling up on the soft part of the chin.
B) Press down on the forehead while pulling up on the bony part of the chin.
C) Lift the chin with one hand while keeping the head in a neutral position.
D) Place both hands on the jaw and lift it forward.
Correct Answer: B) Press down on the forehead while pulling up on the bony part of the
chin.
Rationale: This is the correct procedure. Pressing on the forehead tilts the head back, and
lifting the bony part of the chin pulls the tongue away from the back of the throat, opening
the airway. Pulling on the soft tissue under the chin (A) can obstruct the airway.
Question 2
A provider is caring for an unresponsive patient who was involved in a motor vehicle collision.
Which maneuver should be used to open the patient's airway?
A) Head-tilt/chin-lift
B) Modified Jaw-Thrust
C) Abdominal thrust
D) Back blows
Correct Answer: B) Modified Jaw-Thrust Maneuver
Rationale: The modified jaw-thrust is the recommended technique for opening the airway
when a head, neck, or spinal injury is suspected. It is performed by kneeling above the
patient's head and using the fingers to push the angles of the lower jaw forward without
tilting the head.
Question 3
Once the airway is open, the provider should simultaneously check for breathing and a carotid
pulse for:
A) At least 2 but no more than 5 seconds.
B) Exactly 10 seconds.
C) At least 5 but no more than 10 seconds.
D) As long as it takes to be certain.
Correct Answer: C) At least 5 but no more than 10 seconds.
Rationale: This specific timeframe is critical to minimize delays in starting CPR. The
provider must perform a quick but thorough check for breathing and a pulse, taking no
longer than 10 seconds to make a determination.
Question 4
Isolated or infrequent gasping that occurs in an unconscious patient after the heart has stopped
,[Type here]
beating is known as:
A) Normal breathing
B) Apnea
C) Agonal breaths
D) Bradypnea
Correct Answer: C) Agonal Breaths
Rationale: Agonal breaths are not effective breathing. They are a reflexive brainstem
response that can occur in the first few minutes of cardiac arrest. They should be treated as
a sign of cardiac arrest, not as adequate breathing.
Question 5
For an adult patient in respiratory arrest with a pulse, how many ventilations should be given and
how often?
A) 1 ventilation every 3 to 5 seconds
B) 2 ventilations every 10 seconds
C) 1 ventilation every 5 to 6 seconds
D) 2 ventilations every 15 seconds
Correct Answer: C) Give 1 ventilation every 5 to 6 seconds
Rationale: The correct rate for rescue breathing in an adult is to provide one ventilation
every 5 to 6 seconds, which equates to about 10 to 12 ventilations per minute. Each breath
should last about 1 second.
Question 6
What is the medical term for the necrosis (death) of heart tissue that results from a loss of
oxygenated blood supply?
A) Cardiac arrest
B) Angina pectoris
C) Myocardial infarction
D) Heart failure
Correct Answer: C) myocardial infarction
Rationale: Myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, is the irreversible
death of heart muscle tissue caused by a prolonged lack of oxygen, typically due to a
blockage in a coronary artery.
Question 7
Discontinuing care for a patient once it has been initiated, without ensuring a transfer of care to
another provider with equal or greater training, is known as:
A) Battery
B) Negligence
, [Type here]
C) Abandonment
D) Breach of duty
Correct Answer: C) Abandonment
Rationale: Abandonment is a legal term for leaving a patient after care has been started,
without releasing them to a provider of equal or higher level of training. Once you start
providing care, you have a duty to continue until a higher authority takes over.
Question 8
A systematic, continuous approach for quick and accurate assessment, rapid recognition, and
immediate care in emergency situations is the:
A) Chain of Survival
B) Assess, Recognize and Care Concept
C) SAMPLE history
D) AVPU scale
Correct Answer: B) Assess, Recognize and Care Concept
Rationale: This concept emphasizes a continuous cycle of assessing the scene and the
patient, recognizing any life-threatening conditions, and providing the appropriate care
immediately.
Question 9
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is designed to deliver a shock to patients with which
of the following heart rhythms?
A) Asystole and Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)
B) Ventricular Fibrillation and Ventricular Tachycardia
C) Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter
D) Sinus Bradycardia and Sinus Tachycardia
Correct Answer: B) Ventricular Fibrillation and Ventricular Tachycardia
Rationale: AEDs are specifically programmed to detect and treat the two shockable cardiac
arrest rhythms: Ventricular Fibrillation (a chaotic quivering of the heart) and Pulseless
Ventricular Tachycardia (a very rapid, ineffective heartbeat).
Question 10
During chest compressions, what is the mechanism that moves blood out of the heart?
A) The heart is squeezed between the breastbone (sternum) and the spine.
B) The negative pressure from chest recoil pulls blood out.
C) The ventricles contract in response to the pressure.
D) The atria are filled with blood from the veins.
Correct Answer: A) The heart is squeezed between the breastbone (sternum) and the spine.
Rationale: Chest compressions work by physically compressing the heart, forcing blood out
