CPR CERTIFICATION EXAM STUDY GUIDE | TESTBANK | PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS | COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM | ADVANCED REVIEW | LATEST
UPDATE 2026/2027
Examiner:
American Heart Association (AHA) / American Red Cross (ARC) (practice questions
based on widely accepted CPR guidelines; not an official examination)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Adult Basic Life Support (BLS)
2. Pediatric and Infant CPR
3. High-Quality Chest Compressions
4. Airway Management and Rescue Breathing
5. Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
6. Team Dynamics During Resuscitation
7. Choking Emergencies
8. Special Resuscitation Circumstances
9. Infection Prevention and Scene Safety
10. Professional Ethics and Post-Resuscitation Responsibilities
CPR || BASIC LIFE SUPPORT || BLS || HIGH-QUALITY COMPRESSIONS || AIRWAY
MANAGEMENT || RESCUE BREATHING || AED || DEFIBRILLATION || TEAM
DYNAMICS || PEDIATRIC CPR || INFANT CPR || CHOKING || SCENE SAFETY ||
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT || CIRCULATION || PULSE ASSESSMENT ||
CARDIAC ARREST || EMERGENCY RESPONSE || POST-RESUSCITATION CARE ||
PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT || CERTIFICATION EXAM || ADVANCED REVIEW
QUESTION 1.
A healthcare provider witnesses an adult suddenly collapse in a hospital lobby. The
victim is unresponsive, has no normal breathing, and a pulse check reveals no
definite pulse within 10 seconds. Another responder is retrieving an AED. What is the
most appropriate immediate action?
,A. Begin high-quality chest compressions immediately.
B. Deliver two rescue breaths before compressions.
C. Wait until the AED arrives before initiating CPR.
D. Reassess the pulse for another 20 seconds.
Correct Answer: A. Begin high-quality chest compressions immediately.
Explanation: Immediate initiation of high-quality chest compressions is the highest
priority when cardiac arrest is identified. Delaying compressions for additional
pulse checks or waiting for the AED reduces the likelihood of survival. Rescue
breaths are incorporated into CPR but should not delay the start of compressions.
────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 2.
During high-quality adult CPR, a team leader observes that compressions are
consistently reaching only 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in depth. Which intervention best
improves compliance with current resuscitation standards?
A. Increase the compression rate to compensate.
B. Increase compression depth to at least 2 inches (5 cm) while avoiding excessive
depth.
C. Pause every 30 compressions to reassess circulation.
D. Deliver more frequent rescue breaths.
Correct Answer: B. Increase compression depth to at least 2 inches (5 cm) while
avoiding excessive depth.
Explanation: Adult chest compressions should generally be at least 2 inches (5 cm)
deep while avoiding excessive depth. Adequate depth is critical for generating
sufficient blood flow during CPR. Faster compressions, unnecessary pauses, or
increased ventilation do not compensate for inadequate compression depth.
────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 3.
A lone rescuer arrives at an unconscious adult who is gasping intermittently. Which
,interpretation is most appropriate?
A. Gasping indicates effective spontaneous breathing.
B. CPR should be delayed until breathing stops completely.
C. Agonal gasps should be treated as absent normal breathing, and CPR should
begin if no pulse is detected.
D. Rescue breaths alone are sufficient.
Correct Answer: C. Agonal gasps should be treated as absent normal
breathing, and CPR should begin if no pulse is detected.
Explanation: Agonal respirations are not effective breathing and commonly occur
during cardiac arrest. They should not delay recognition of cardiac arrest or
initiation of CPR. Rescue breathing alone is inappropriate when cardiac arrest is
present.
────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 4.
While using an AED, the device announces "Shock advised." The victim has remained
unresponsive throughout resuscitation. What should the team do immediately after
the shock is delivered?
A. Check for a pulse immediately.
B. Wait for spontaneous breathing to resume.
C. Analyze the rhythm again immediately.
D. Resume chest compressions immediately.
Correct Answer: D. Resume chest compressions immediately.
Explanation: After a shock is delivered, chest compressions should resume
immediately without checking for a pulse or delaying for rhythm reassessment.
Continuous CPR minimizes interruptions in coronary and cerebral perfusion.
Rhythm analysis occurs when prompted by the AED.
────────────────────────────────────────
, QUESTION 5.
Two trained rescuers are performing infant CPR. Which compression-to-ventilation
ratio is recommended?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
C. 5:1
D. 50:2
Correct Answer: A. 15:2
Explanation: When two trained rescuers perform infant CPR, the recommended
compression-to-ventilation ratio is 15:2. The 30:2 ratio applies primarily to a lone
rescuer. The other ratios are not recommended in current CPR practice.
────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 6.
A rescuer repeatedly interrupts chest compressions for approximately 15 seconds
every cycle to evaluate responsiveness. What is the principal consequence?
A. Improved neurological recovery.
B. Increased oxygen delivery.
C. Reduced coronary and cerebral perfusion caused by excessive interruptions.
D. More accurate rhythm assessment.
Correct Answer: C. Reduced coronary and cerebral perfusion caused by
excessive interruptions.
Explanation: Frequent or prolonged interruptions in chest compressions
significantly reduce blood flow generated during CPR. High-quality CPR
emphasizes minimizing interruptions to maximize perfusion. Routine
responsiveness checks during active resuscitation are not recommended.
────────────────────────────────────────
ANSWERS | COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM | ADVANCED REVIEW | LATEST
UPDATE 2026/2027
Examiner:
American Heart Association (AHA) / American Red Cross (ARC) (practice questions
based on widely accepted CPR guidelines; not an official examination)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Adult Basic Life Support (BLS)
2. Pediatric and Infant CPR
3. High-Quality Chest Compressions
4. Airway Management and Rescue Breathing
5. Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
6. Team Dynamics During Resuscitation
7. Choking Emergencies
8. Special Resuscitation Circumstances
9. Infection Prevention and Scene Safety
10. Professional Ethics and Post-Resuscitation Responsibilities
CPR || BASIC LIFE SUPPORT || BLS || HIGH-QUALITY COMPRESSIONS || AIRWAY
MANAGEMENT || RESCUE BREATHING || AED || DEFIBRILLATION || TEAM
DYNAMICS || PEDIATRIC CPR || INFANT CPR || CHOKING || SCENE SAFETY ||
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT || CIRCULATION || PULSE ASSESSMENT ||
CARDIAC ARREST || EMERGENCY RESPONSE || POST-RESUSCITATION CARE ||
PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT || CERTIFICATION EXAM || ADVANCED REVIEW
QUESTION 1.
A healthcare provider witnesses an adult suddenly collapse in a hospital lobby. The
victim is unresponsive, has no normal breathing, and a pulse check reveals no
definite pulse within 10 seconds. Another responder is retrieving an AED. What is the
most appropriate immediate action?
,A. Begin high-quality chest compressions immediately.
B. Deliver two rescue breaths before compressions.
C. Wait until the AED arrives before initiating CPR.
D. Reassess the pulse for another 20 seconds.
Correct Answer: A. Begin high-quality chest compressions immediately.
Explanation: Immediate initiation of high-quality chest compressions is the highest
priority when cardiac arrest is identified. Delaying compressions for additional
pulse checks or waiting for the AED reduces the likelihood of survival. Rescue
breaths are incorporated into CPR but should not delay the start of compressions.
────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 2.
During high-quality adult CPR, a team leader observes that compressions are
consistently reaching only 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in depth. Which intervention best
improves compliance with current resuscitation standards?
A. Increase the compression rate to compensate.
B. Increase compression depth to at least 2 inches (5 cm) while avoiding excessive
depth.
C. Pause every 30 compressions to reassess circulation.
D. Deliver more frequent rescue breaths.
Correct Answer: B. Increase compression depth to at least 2 inches (5 cm) while
avoiding excessive depth.
Explanation: Adult chest compressions should generally be at least 2 inches (5 cm)
deep while avoiding excessive depth. Adequate depth is critical for generating
sufficient blood flow during CPR. Faster compressions, unnecessary pauses, or
increased ventilation do not compensate for inadequate compression depth.
────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 3.
A lone rescuer arrives at an unconscious adult who is gasping intermittently. Which
,interpretation is most appropriate?
A. Gasping indicates effective spontaneous breathing.
B. CPR should be delayed until breathing stops completely.
C. Agonal gasps should be treated as absent normal breathing, and CPR should
begin if no pulse is detected.
D. Rescue breaths alone are sufficient.
Correct Answer: C. Agonal gasps should be treated as absent normal
breathing, and CPR should begin if no pulse is detected.
Explanation: Agonal respirations are not effective breathing and commonly occur
during cardiac arrest. They should not delay recognition of cardiac arrest or
initiation of CPR. Rescue breathing alone is inappropriate when cardiac arrest is
present.
────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 4.
While using an AED, the device announces "Shock advised." The victim has remained
unresponsive throughout resuscitation. What should the team do immediately after
the shock is delivered?
A. Check for a pulse immediately.
B. Wait for spontaneous breathing to resume.
C. Analyze the rhythm again immediately.
D. Resume chest compressions immediately.
Correct Answer: D. Resume chest compressions immediately.
Explanation: After a shock is delivered, chest compressions should resume
immediately without checking for a pulse or delaying for rhythm reassessment.
Continuous CPR minimizes interruptions in coronary and cerebral perfusion.
Rhythm analysis occurs when prompted by the AED.
────────────────────────────────────────
, QUESTION 5.
Two trained rescuers are performing infant CPR. Which compression-to-ventilation
ratio is recommended?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
C. 5:1
D. 50:2
Correct Answer: A. 15:2
Explanation: When two trained rescuers perform infant CPR, the recommended
compression-to-ventilation ratio is 15:2. The 30:2 ratio applies primarily to a lone
rescuer. The other ratios are not recommended in current CPR practice.
────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 6.
A rescuer repeatedly interrupts chest compressions for approximately 15 seconds
every cycle to evaluate responsiveness. What is the principal consequence?
A. Improved neurological recovery.
B. Increased oxygen delivery.
C. Reduced coronary and cerebral perfusion caused by excessive interruptions.
D. More accurate rhythm assessment.
Correct Answer: C. Reduced coronary and cerebral perfusion caused by
excessive interruptions.
Explanation: Frequent or prolonged interruptions in chest compressions
significantly reduce blood flow generated during CPR. High-quality CPR
emphasizes minimizing interruptions to maximize perfusion. Routine
responsiveness checks during active resuscitation are not recommended.
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