BLS FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 ACTUAL EXAM – 25 VERIFIED
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS BASIC, EXAMS OF
NURSING
Year 2026-2027 | 25 Questions | 100% VERIFIED
Introduction
This question bank measures readiness for the Basic Life Support final examination
delivered through the American Heart Association guidelines for emergency cardiovascular
care. Content is organized around eight blueprint domains: High-Quality CPR for Adults,
Children, and Infants; AED Operation and Safety Protocols; Relief of Foreign-Body Airway
Obstruction; Team Dynamics and Resuscitation Communication; Rescue Breathing and Bag-
Mask Device Application; Special Resuscitation Situations and Opioid-Associated
Emergencies; Chain of Survival and Systematic Assessment; and BLS Algorithms for Cardiac
and Respiratory Arrest. Each item pairs a single best answer with a rationale that reinforces
the governing guideline, technique standard, or resuscitation sequence, supporting
professional certification and disciplined emergency cardiovascular clinical execution. All
25 questions and 100% VERIFIED answers appear below.
1. What compression depth does the adult BLS guideline specify for a victim of cardiac
arrest?
A. At least 2 inches (5 centimeters), while avoiding compressions deeper than
about 2.4 inches (6 centimeters)
B. At least 1 inch (2.5 centimeters), with no upper limit
C. Between 3 and 4 inches (7.6 to 10 centimeters) to ensure adequate flow
D. Depth is not specified because only the compression rate matters
Rationale: Adult compressions delivered on the lower half of the sternum must reach at least 2
inches while remaining under roughly 2.4 inches, because excessive depth causes injury
without improving outcomes. Shallow compressions generate inadequate blood flow, deep
compression ranges increase trauma, and depth matters as much as rate.
2. Which compression rate applies to a victim of any age during BLS resuscitation?
A. 60 to 80 compressions per minute
B. At least 140 compressions per minute
C. 100 to 120 compressions per minute
D. 80 to 100 compressions per minute
Rationale: Guidelines set the target at 100 to 120 compressions per minute with full chest
recoil after each compression, because rates below that range reduce flow and rates above it
reduce depth. The other rates fall outside the recommended window and compromise either
blood flow or chest recoil.
, 3. A single rescuer finds an unresponsive adult who is not breathing and has no pulse.
Which compression-to-ventilation ratio is used?
A. 30 compressions to 2 breaths
B. 15 compressions to 2 breaths
C. 5 compressions to 1 breath
D. Continuous compressions with no ventilations
Rationale: A single rescuer uses 30 compressions to 2 breaths for adults, children, and infants.
The 15-to-2 ratio applies when two rescuers treat a child or infant, a 5-to-1 ratio dates from
older pediatric guidance, and compression-only resuscitation is reserved for untrained
bystanders or when ventilations cannot be delivered.
4. Which technique is used for chest compressions on an infant when two rescuers are
present?
A. Two fingers placed on the upper third of the sternum
B. The two-thumb encircling hands technique on the lower half of the sternum
C. The heel of one hand with the other hand on top
D. Two fingers on the xiphoid process with the other hand supporting the back
Rationale: Two rescuers use the two-thumb encircling hands technique, which produces better
perfusion pressure than finger technique. Two-finger compressions are used by a lone rescuer,
the heel of the hand is an adult or large child technique, and compressions over the xiphoid risk
injury to internal organs.
5. An AED arrives while CPR is in progress on an adult. What is the correct action?
A. Complete five full cycles of CPR before applying the AED pads
B. Attach the pads but withhold analysis until advanced providers arrive
C. Delay defibrillation until a second rescuer can confirm the rhythm manually
D. Apply the pads and use the AED as soon as it is available, pausing compressions
only briefly for rhythm analysis and shock delivery
Rationale: Survival falls with every minute that defibrillation is delayed, so the AED is applied
as soon as it arrives and compressions resume immediately after each shock, with every pause
kept under 10 seconds. Waiting for CPR cycles, holding analysis, or seeking manual
confirmation wastes the time that determines survival.
6. Which pad placement is appropriate for an 8-year-old victim when pediatric equipment is
available?
A. Adult pads should always be used regardless of the child's age
B. Pads are not applied to children because defibrillation is not indicated
C. Pediatric pads or a pediatric attenuator should be used if available and no
manual defibrillator is present
D. Pads are applied only after intravenous access is established
Rationale: For children under about 8 years of age, pediatric pads or an attenuator are
preferred when available, with adult pads acceptable as an alternative. Adult-only use,
withholding defibrillation, and waiting for vascular access would delay or deny a shock that
the rhythm may require.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS BASIC, EXAMS OF
NURSING
Year 2026-2027 | 25 Questions | 100% VERIFIED
Introduction
This question bank measures readiness for the Basic Life Support final examination
delivered through the American Heart Association guidelines for emergency cardiovascular
care. Content is organized around eight blueprint domains: High-Quality CPR for Adults,
Children, and Infants; AED Operation and Safety Protocols; Relief of Foreign-Body Airway
Obstruction; Team Dynamics and Resuscitation Communication; Rescue Breathing and Bag-
Mask Device Application; Special Resuscitation Situations and Opioid-Associated
Emergencies; Chain of Survival and Systematic Assessment; and BLS Algorithms for Cardiac
and Respiratory Arrest. Each item pairs a single best answer with a rationale that reinforces
the governing guideline, technique standard, or resuscitation sequence, supporting
professional certification and disciplined emergency cardiovascular clinical execution. All
25 questions and 100% VERIFIED answers appear below.
1. What compression depth does the adult BLS guideline specify for a victim of cardiac
arrest?
A. At least 2 inches (5 centimeters), while avoiding compressions deeper than
about 2.4 inches (6 centimeters)
B. At least 1 inch (2.5 centimeters), with no upper limit
C. Between 3 and 4 inches (7.6 to 10 centimeters) to ensure adequate flow
D. Depth is not specified because only the compression rate matters
Rationale: Adult compressions delivered on the lower half of the sternum must reach at least 2
inches while remaining under roughly 2.4 inches, because excessive depth causes injury
without improving outcomes. Shallow compressions generate inadequate blood flow, deep
compression ranges increase trauma, and depth matters as much as rate.
2. Which compression rate applies to a victim of any age during BLS resuscitation?
A. 60 to 80 compressions per minute
B. At least 140 compressions per minute
C. 100 to 120 compressions per minute
D. 80 to 100 compressions per minute
Rationale: Guidelines set the target at 100 to 120 compressions per minute with full chest
recoil after each compression, because rates below that range reduce flow and rates above it
reduce depth. The other rates fall outside the recommended window and compromise either
blood flow or chest recoil.
, 3. A single rescuer finds an unresponsive adult who is not breathing and has no pulse.
Which compression-to-ventilation ratio is used?
A. 30 compressions to 2 breaths
B. 15 compressions to 2 breaths
C. 5 compressions to 1 breath
D. Continuous compressions with no ventilations
Rationale: A single rescuer uses 30 compressions to 2 breaths for adults, children, and infants.
The 15-to-2 ratio applies when two rescuers treat a child or infant, a 5-to-1 ratio dates from
older pediatric guidance, and compression-only resuscitation is reserved for untrained
bystanders or when ventilations cannot be delivered.
4. Which technique is used for chest compressions on an infant when two rescuers are
present?
A. Two fingers placed on the upper third of the sternum
B. The two-thumb encircling hands technique on the lower half of the sternum
C. The heel of one hand with the other hand on top
D. Two fingers on the xiphoid process with the other hand supporting the back
Rationale: Two rescuers use the two-thumb encircling hands technique, which produces better
perfusion pressure than finger technique. Two-finger compressions are used by a lone rescuer,
the heel of the hand is an adult or large child technique, and compressions over the xiphoid risk
injury to internal organs.
5. An AED arrives while CPR is in progress on an adult. What is the correct action?
A. Complete five full cycles of CPR before applying the AED pads
B. Attach the pads but withhold analysis until advanced providers arrive
C. Delay defibrillation until a second rescuer can confirm the rhythm manually
D. Apply the pads and use the AED as soon as it is available, pausing compressions
only briefly for rhythm analysis and shock delivery
Rationale: Survival falls with every minute that defibrillation is delayed, so the AED is applied
as soon as it arrives and compressions resume immediately after each shock, with every pause
kept under 10 seconds. Waiting for CPR cycles, holding analysis, or seeking manual
confirmation wastes the time that determines survival.
6. Which pad placement is appropriate for an 8-year-old victim when pediatric equipment is
available?
A. Adult pads should always be used regardless of the child's age
B. Pads are not applied to children because defibrillation is not indicated
C. Pediatric pads or a pediatric attenuator should be used if available and no
manual defibrillator is present
D. Pads are applied only after intravenous access is established
Rationale: For children under about 8 years of age, pediatric pads or an attenuator are
preferred when available, with adult pads acceptable as an alternative. Adult-only use,
withholding defibrillation, and waiting for vascular access would delay or deny a shock that
the rhythm may require.
