American Red Cross – Basic Life Support Final
Exam | Latest Exam Prep 2025/2026 | Practice
Questions & Study Guide
1. When should the rescuer initially ensure that the scene is safe?
a. When the rescuer first sees a potential victim
b. After the rescuer activates the emergency response system
c. As emergency medical services arrive on the scene
d. After an AED that is attached to the victim delivers a shock - correct answerA
2. As soon as an AED becomes available, which of the following is the first step the
rescuer should perform to operate the AED?
a. Place the AED pads on the chest
b. Deliver 2 rescue breaths before using the AED
c. Turn on the AED
d. Complete 5 cycles of chest compressions - correct answerC
3. After the AED delivers a shock, the rescuer should
a. Wait for the AED to reanalyze the rhythm
b. Immediately restart CPR, beginning with chest compressions
c. Provide 2 ventilations to the victim
d. Immediately check the carotid pulse for no more than 10 seconds - correct answerB
4. The 2010 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC recommend that to identify cardiac
arrest in an unresponsive victim with no breathing (or no normal breathing), a
healthcare provider should check a pulse for no more than
a. 25 seconds
b. 10 seconds
c. 15 seconds
d. 20 seconds - correct answerB
5. After you identify an unresponsive victim with no breathing (or no normal breathing)
and no pulse, chest compressions should be initiated within
a. 25 seconds
b. 10 seconds
c. 30 seconds
d. 60 seconds - correct answerB
6. Which of the following victims need CPR?
a. A victim with a pulse and who is having trouble breathing
b. A victim with chest pain and indigestion
,c. A victim who is unresponsive, no normal breathing and absent/ inadequate pulse
d. A victim who is unresponsive but is breathing adequately - correct answerC
7. Where should the hands be placed to perform chest compressions on an adult?
a. On the lower half of the breastbone
b. In the center of the breastbone
c. On the upper portion of the abdomen
d. On the upper half of the breastbone - correct answerA
8. The depth of compressions for an adult victim should be at least
a. 1 inch
b. 2 inches
c. 3 inches
d. 4 inches - correct answerB
9. Why is it important to compress to the appropriate depth during CPR?
a. Adequate depth of compression is needed to create blood flow during compressions
b. Adequate depth of compression is needed to create air flow into the lungs and
adequate oxygenation
c. Adequate depth of compression is needed to prolong asystole
d. Adequate depth of compression is needed to stimulate spontaneous respirations -
correct answerA
10. The recommended rate for performing chest compressions for victims of all ages is
a. At least 40 compressions per minute
b. At least 60 compressions per minute
c. At least 80 compressions per minute
d. At least 100 compressions per minute - correct answerD
11. The compression-to-ventilation ratio for 1-rescuer adult CPR is
a. 30:2
b. 5:1
c. 20:2
d. 15:2 - correct answerA
12. After the airway is opened, which of the following correctly states the proper
technique for delivering mouth-to-mouth ventilation?
a. The rescuer opens the airway, seals their mouth over the victim's mouth, pinches the
victim's nose closed, and gives 2 breaths while watching for the chest to rise
b. The rescuer opens the airway, seals their mouth over the victim's mouth, and gives
several small puffs while trying to avoid making the chest rise
c. The rescuer opens the airway, seals their mouth over the victim's mouth, and gives 1
slow breath for a duration of 5 seconds
d. The rescuer opens the airway, seals their mouth over the victim's mouth, and gives 5
slow breaths, each with a duration of 2 seconds, while watching for the chest to rise -
correct answerA
, 13. The rescuer knows the rescue breath for in infant victim is effective when
a. The stomach visibly rises
b. The chest rises visibly
c. The child ventilation bag is completely compressed
d. The rescuer can hear an air leak around the mask - correct answerB
14. Which of the following ventilation devices/techniques is not recommended for a
single rescuer to provide breaths during CPR?
a. Bag-mask device
b. Mouth-to-barrier device technique
c. Mouth-to-mouth technique
d. Mouth-to-mask technique - correct answerA
15. During bag-mask ventilation, which of the following is recommended to minimize the
risk of gastric inflation?
a. Give breaths as quickly as you can
b. Give each breath over as long a time as you can (several seconds)
c. Give the largest breaths that you can
d. Give a breath just until you see the chest rise - correct answerD
16. When a child has a pulse rate greater than 60 per minute, but is not breathing
effectively, the rescuer should
a. Give breaths and compressions
b. Give breaths without compressions
c. Give chest compressions without breaths
d. Connect the AED to the child and analyze - correct answerB
17. When administering breaths by using a bag-mask device for a child who is not
breathing but does have a pulse, the rescuer should
a. Squeeze the bag as often as possible
b. Give breaths at the rate of 1 breath every 3 to 5 seconds
c. Position the child on their stomach
d. Avoid performing a head tilt - correct answerB
18. In 2-rescuer CPR, while the first rescuer begins chest compressions, the second
rescuer should
a. Count compressions out loud
b. Check for a pulse during compressions
c. Do nothing until the first rescuer needs relief
d. Maintain an open airway and give ventilations - correct answerD
19. Which of the following options lists the correct compression and ventilation rates for
2-rescuer CPR in the presence of an advanced airway?
a. Compress at a rate of at least 100 per minute, 1 breath every 6 - 8 seconds
b. Compress at a rate of at least 60 per minute, 1 breath every 6 - 8 seconds
Exam | Latest Exam Prep 2025/2026 | Practice
Questions & Study Guide
1. When should the rescuer initially ensure that the scene is safe?
a. When the rescuer first sees a potential victim
b. After the rescuer activates the emergency response system
c. As emergency medical services arrive on the scene
d. After an AED that is attached to the victim delivers a shock - correct answerA
2. As soon as an AED becomes available, which of the following is the first step the
rescuer should perform to operate the AED?
a. Place the AED pads on the chest
b. Deliver 2 rescue breaths before using the AED
c. Turn on the AED
d. Complete 5 cycles of chest compressions - correct answerC
3. After the AED delivers a shock, the rescuer should
a. Wait for the AED to reanalyze the rhythm
b. Immediately restart CPR, beginning with chest compressions
c. Provide 2 ventilations to the victim
d. Immediately check the carotid pulse for no more than 10 seconds - correct answerB
4. The 2010 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC recommend that to identify cardiac
arrest in an unresponsive victim with no breathing (or no normal breathing), a
healthcare provider should check a pulse for no more than
a. 25 seconds
b. 10 seconds
c. 15 seconds
d. 20 seconds - correct answerB
5. After you identify an unresponsive victim with no breathing (or no normal breathing)
and no pulse, chest compressions should be initiated within
a. 25 seconds
b. 10 seconds
c. 30 seconds
d. 60 seconds - correct answerB
6. Which of the following victims need CPR?
a. A victim with a pulse and who is having trouble breathing
b. A victim with chest pain and indigestion
,c. A victim who is unresponsive, no normal breathing and absent/ inadequate pulse
d. A victim who is unresponsive but is breathing adequately - correct answerC
7. Where should the hands be placed to perform chest compressions on an adult?
a. On the lower half of the breastbone
b. In the center of the breastbone
c. On the upper portion of the abdomen
d. On the upper half of the breastbone - correct answerA
8. The depth of compressions for an adult victim should be at least
a. 1 inch
b. 2 inches
c. 3 inches
d. 4 inches - correct answerB
9. Why is it important to compress to the appropriate depth during CPR?
a. Adequate depth of compression is needed to create blood flow during compressions
b. Adequate depth of compression is needed to create air flow into the lungs and
adequate oxygenation
c. Adequate depth of compression is needed to prolong asystole
d. Adequate depth of compression is needed to stimulate spontaneous respirations -
correct answerA
10. The recommended rate for performing chest compressions for victims of all ages is
a. At least 40 compressions per minute
b. At least 60 compressions per minute
c. At least 80 compressions per minute
d. At least 100 compressions per minute - correct answerD
11. The compression-to-ventilation ratio for 1-rescuer adult CPR is
a. 30:2
b. 5:1
c. 20:2
d. 15:2 - correct answerA
12. After the airway is opened, which of the following correctly states the proper
technique for delivering mouth-to-mouth ventilation?
a. The rescuer opens the airway, seals their mouth over the victim's mouth, pinches the
victim's nose closed, and gives 2 breaths while watching for the chest to rise
b. The rescuer opens the airway, seals their mouth over the victim's mouth, and gives
several small puffs while trying to avoid making the chest rise
c. The rescuer opens the airway, seals their mouth over the victim's mouth, and gives 1
slow breath for a duration of 5 seconds
d. The rescuer opens the airway, seals their mouth over the victim's mouth, and gives 5
slow breaths, each with a duration of 2 seconds, while watching for the chest to rise -
correct answerA
, 13. The rescuer knows the rescue breath for in infant victim is effective when
a. The stomach visibly rises
b. The chest rises visibly
c. The child ventilation bag is completely compressed
d. The rescuer can hear an air leak around the mask - correct answerB
14. Which of the following ventilation devices/techniques is not recommended for a
single rescuer to provide breaths during CPR?
a. Bag-mask device
b. Mouth-to-barrier device technique
c. Mouth-to-mouth technique
d. Mouth-to-mask technique - correct answerA
15. During bag-mask ventilation, which of the following is recommended to minimize the
risk of gastric inflation?
a. Give breaths as quickly as you can
b. Give each breath over as long a time as you can (several seconds)
c. Give the largest breaths that you can
d. Give a breath just until you see the chest rise - correct answerD
16. When a child has a pulse rate greater than 60 per minute, but is not breathing
effectively, the rescuer should
a. Give breaths and compressions
b. Give breaths without compressions
c. Give chest compressions without breaths
d. Connect the AED to the child and analyze - correct answerB
17. When administering breaths by using a bag-mask device for a child who is not
breathing but does have a pulse, the rescuer should
a. Squeeze the bag as often as possible
b. Give breaths at the rate of 1 breath every 3 to 5 seconds
c. Position the child on their stomach
d. Avoid performing a head tilt - correct answerB
18. In 2-rescuer CPR, while the first rescuer begins chest compressions, the second
rescuer should
a. Count compressions out loud
b. Check for a pulse during compressions
c. Do nothing until the first rescuer needs relief
d. Maintain an open airway and give ventilations - correct answerD
19. Which of the following options lists the correct compression and ventilation rates for
2-rescuer CPR in the presence of an advanced airway?
a. Compress at a rate of at least 100 per minute, 1 breath every 6 - 8 seconds
b. Compress at a rate of at least 60 per minute, 1 breath every 6 - 8 seconds
