AMERICAN RED CROSS BLS FINAL EXAM VERSION 1
1. An adult with respiratory arrest has a pulse and is receiving assisted ventilations. Based on current BLS
guidance, when should breathing and pulse be checked again?
A. About every 2 minutes.
B. Only after naloxone is given.
C. After every ventilation.
D. Every 10 minutes.
Correct Answer: A. About every 2 minutes.
Rationale: Red Cross BLS directs providers to continue assisted ventilation and recheck breathing and pulse
about every 2 minutes.
2. A 6-month-old infant is in cardiac arrest. Which response best follows current Red Cross BLS guidance?
A. At least one-third the chest depth, about 1.5 inches (4 cm).
B. About 0.5 inch (1.3 cm).
C. Only until the sternum begins to move.
D. About 2.5 inches (6.4 cm).
Correct Answer: A. At least one-third the chest depth, about 1.5 inches (4 cm).
Rationale: For infants, compress at least one-third the anteroposterior chest depth, approximately 1.5 inches (4
cm).
3. During a clinical emergency, During CPR an adult begins moving and taking spontaneous breaths. What
is the most appropriate next step?
A. Remove the AED pads and leave the patient unattended.
B. Deliver one more shock before checking the patient.
C. Continue compressions for a full 2-minute cycle regardless of movement.
D. Stop CPR and AED use, then check breathing and a central pulse while minimizing the pause.
Correct Answer: D. Stop CPR and AED use, then check breathing and a central pulse while minimizing the
pause.
Rationale: Movement or spontaneous breathing may indicate ROSC. Stop CPR and AED use, assess breathing
and a carotid or femoral pulse, then provide appropriate monitoring and care.
4. During a clinical emergency, Two healthcare professionals are performing CPR on an infant without an
advanced airway. Which ratio is appropriate?
A. 15 compressions to 2 ventilations.
B. Continuous compressions with 1 ventilation every 6 seconds.
C. 30 compressions to 2 ventilations.
D. 5 compressions to 1 ventilation.
Correct Answer: A. 15 compressions to 2 ventilations.
Rationale: When multiple healthcare providers perform pediatric CPR without an advanced airway, Red Cross
BLS uses a
15. 2 ratio.
5. A healthcare provider encounters the following situation: A provider is delivering manual ventilations
during adult BLS. How should each ventilation generally be delivered?
A. Over 5 seconds to maximize oxygen transfer.
B. As rapidly as possible in less than 0.25 second.
C. Only after a 20-second pause in compressions.
D. Over about 1 second, just enough to produce visible chest rise.
Correct Answer: D. Over about 1 second, just enough to produce visible chest rise.
Rationale: BLS ventilations are delivered over about 1 second and should make the chest begin to rise without
excessive volume.
6. A single healthcare provider is performing CPR on a 5-year-old child without an advanced airway.
Which response best follows current Red Cross BLS guidance?
A. 5:1.
B. 30:2.
C. 15:2.
,D. Continuous compressions with no ventilations.
Correct Answer: B. 30:2.
Rationale: For a child or infant, one healthcare professional uses a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio.
7. In a skills-based patient scenario, an adult in cardiac arrest does not yet have an advanced airway.
Which compression-to-ventilation ratio is appropriate for healthcare-provider CPR?
A. 30 compressions to 2 ventilations.
B. 15 compressions to 2 ventilations.
C. Continuous compressions with one ventilation every 2 to 3 seconds.
D. 5 compressions to 1 ventilation.
Correct Answer: A. 30 compressions to 2 ventilations.
Rationale: For adult cardiac arrest without an advanced airway, Red Cross BLS uses cycles of 30 compressions
followed by 2 ventilations.
8. In a skills-based patient scenario, a trained provider checks a child for a central pulse during BLS
assessment. Which site is appropriate?
A. Posterior tibial pulse.
B. Temporal pulse.
C. Carotid pulse.
D. Radial pulse only.
Correct Answer: C. Carotid pulse.
Rationale: Red Cross assessment guidance identifies the carotid pulse as a standard site for children.
9. A rapid assessment reveals the following: During CPR, a provider keeps part of their weight on the
patient chest between compressions. Which coaching point is most important?
A. Release pressure fully after each compression to allow complete chest recoil.
B. Increase the compression rate above 130 per minute.
C. Pause after every 10 compressions to check a pulse.
D. Use shallower compressions to reduce fatigue.
Correct Answer: A. Release pressure fully after each compression to allow complete chest recoil.
Rationale: Leaning prevents complete recoil and reduces venous return. High-quality CPR requires full chest
recoil after each compression.
10. A rapid assessment reveals the following: A trained provider checks an infant for a pulse during BLS
assessment. Which site is appropriate?
A. Dorsalis pedis pulse.
B. Brachial pulse.
C. Radial pulse.
D. Carotid pulse only.
Correct Answer: B. Brachial pulse.
Rationale: The brachial pulse is the standard pulse check site for infants in Red Cross BLS assessment.
11. An unresponsive adult patient may be pregnant, but no pregnancy is known and no visibly pregnant
abdomen is apparent. Based on current BLS guidance, which BLS pathway should be used initially?
A. Delay care until a pregnancy test is available.
B. Use pediatric BLS.
C. Avoid AED use because pregnancy cannot be excluded.
D. Use the standard adult/adolescent BLS approach.
Correct Answer: D. Use the standard adult/adolescent BLS approach.
Rationale: If pregnancy status is unknown, the Red Cross pregnancy code card directs providers to use the
standard adult/adolescent BLS algorithm.
12. The BLS team is managing this event: A lone healthcare provider finds a 4-year-old in an unwitnessed
cardiac arrest and has no phone within reach. What is the preferred sequence?
A. Wait beside the child until another person arrives.
B. Leave immediately to find an AED before starting CPR.
C. Provide about 2 minutes of CPR before leaving to activate EMS and retrieve an AED.
D. Provide rescue breaths only for 5 minutes.
Correct Answer: C. Provide about 2 minutes of CPR before leaving to activate EMS and retrieve an AED.
, Rationale: For an unwitnessed pediatric arrest when alone, provide about 2 minutes of CPR before leaving to
activate EMS and retrieve an AED if not already done.
13. A rapid assessment reveals the following: A patient in cardiac arrest has a visibly pregnant abdomen
consistent with about 20 weeks or more. Which additional BLS action should be provided when resources
allow?
A. Continuous manual left uterine displacement during resuscitation.
B. Place the patient prone for compressions.
C. Right uterine displacement only during AED analysis.
D. Stop compressions and place the patient fully on the left side.
Correct Answer: A. Continuous manual left uterine displacement during resuscitation.
Rationale: For visibly advanced pregnancy, continuous left uterine displacement reduces aortocaval compression
while allowing effective supine CPR.
14. While providing BLS care, a provider gives bag-mask ventilations so forcefully that the chest rises
dramatically with each breath. Which adjustment is most appropriate?
A. Use only enough volume to produce visible chest rise and avoid excessive ventilation.
B. Give two breaths simultaneously to reduce pauses.
C. Stop ventilations and provide compressions only even though a trained team is present.
D. Squeeze the bag faster to increase oxygen delivery.
Correct Answer: A. Use only enough volume to produce visible chest rise and avoid excessive ventilation.
Rationale: Ventilations should be controlled and sufficient to produce visible chest rise. Excessive volume or rate
can be harmful.
15. A bystander suggests compression-only CPR for a drowning victim even though trained providers with
ventilation equipment are present. Which response best follows current Red Cross BLS guidance?
A. Wait for advanced airway placement before any CPR.
B. Use compression-ventilation CPR because ventilations are especially important after drowning.
C. Provide ventilations without compressions for all drowning arrests.
D. Use compression-only CPR because breaths are never used in BLS.
Correct Answer: B. Use compression-ventilation CPR because ventilations are especially important after
drowning.
Rationale: Drowning arrests are typically hypoxic, so trained providers should use compression-ventilation CPR;
compression-only CPR is an alternative only when ventilations cannot be provided.
16. During a clinical emergency, A lone healthcare provider witnesses a child suddenly collapse. What
should the provider do regarding help and an AED?
A. Activate the emergency response system and get the AED immediately, then begin or resume care.
B. Wait to see whether the child awakens spontaneously.
C. Give only ventilations until a second rescuer arrives.
D. Perform 10 minutes of CPR before calling for help.
Correct Answer: A. Activate the emergency response system and get the AED immediately, then begin or
resume care.
Rationale: For a witnessed pediatric arrest, the lone provider should call for help promptly because a sudden
witnessed collapse may be a shockable cardiac event.
17. A clinic is redesigning a public-access AED station. Based on current BLS guidance, which design best
supports rapid emergency use?
A. Store the AED battery separately from the device.
B. Store the AED in an immediately accessible location; an unlocked cabinet is preferred.
C. Hide the AED to reduce the possibility of theft.
D. Keep the AED in a locked office with no public instructions.
Correct Answer: B. Store the AED in an immediately accessible location; an unlocked cabinet is preferred.
Rationale: Current Red Cross guidance advises that public-access AEDs be readily accessible, with unlocked
storage preferred because locked cabinets can delay defibrillation.
18. The BLS team is managing this event: A 58-year-old collapses, is unresponsive, has only gasping
breaths, and no pulse is detected within 10 seconds. What should the healthcare provider do next?
A. Place the patient in a recovery position and reassess in 2 minutes.
B. Give one ventilation every 6 seconds without compressions.
1. An adult with respiratory arrest has a pulse and is receiving assisted ventilations. Based on current BLS
guidance, when should breathing and pulse be checked again?
A. About every 2 minutes.
B. Only after naloxone is given.
C. After every ventilation.
D. Every 10 minutes.
Correct Answer: A. About every 2 minutes.
Rationale: Red Cross BLS directs providers to continue assisted ventilation and recheck breathing and pulse
about every 2 minutes.
2. A 6-month-old infant is in cardiac arrest. Which response best follows current Red Cross BLS guidance?
A. At least one-third the chest depth, about 1.5 inches (4 cm).
B. About 0.5 inch (1.3 cm).
C. Only until the sternum begins to move.
D. About 2.5 inches (6.4 cm).
Correct Answer: A. At least one-third the chest depth, about 1.5 inches (4 cm).
Rationale: For infants, compress at least one-third the anteroposterior chest depth, approximately 1.5 inches (4
cm).
3. During a clinical emergency, During CPR an adult begins moving and taking spontaneous breaths. What
is the most appropriate next step?
A. Remove the AED pads and leave the patient unattended.
B. Deliver one more shock before checking the patient.
C. Continue compressions for a full 2-minute cycle regardless of movement.
D. Stop CPR and AED use, then check breathing and a central pulse while minimizing the pause.
Correct Answer: D. Stop CPR and AED use, then check breathing and a central pulse while minimizing the
pause.
Rationale: Movement or spontaneous breathing may indicate ROSC. Stop CPR and AED use, assess breathing
and a carotid or femoral pulse, then provide appropriate monitoring and care.
4. During a clinical emergency, Two healthcare professionals are performing CPR on an infant without an
advanced airway. Which ratio is appropriate?
A. 15 compressions to 2 ventilations.
B. Continuous compressions with 1 ventilation every 6 seconds.
C. 30 compressions to 2 ventilations.
D. 5 compressions to 1 ventilation.
Correct Answer: A. 15 compressions to 2 ventilations.
Rationale: When multiple healthcare providers perform pediatric CPR without an advanced airway, Red Cross
BLS uses a
15. 2 ratio.
5. A healthcare provider encounters the following situation: A provider is delivering manual ventilations
during adult BLS. How should each ventilation generally be delivered?
A. Over 5 seconds to maximize oxygen transfer.
B. As rapidly as possible in less than 0.25 second.
C. Only after a 20-second pause in compressions.
D. Over about 1 second, just enough to produce visible chest rise.
Correct Answer: D. Over about 1 second, just enough to produce visible chest rise.
Rationale: BLS ventilations are delivered over about 1 second and should make the chest begin to rise without
excessive volume.
6. A single healthcare provider is performing CPR on a 5-year-old child without an advanced airway.
Which response best follows current Red Cross BLS guidance?
A. 5:1.
B. 30:2.
C. 15:2.
,D. Continuous compressions with no ventilations.
Correct Answer: B. 30:2.
Rationale: For a child or infant, one healthcare professional uses a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio.
7. In a skills-based patient scenario, an adult in cardiac arrest does not yet have an advanced airway.
Which compression-to-ventilation ratio is appropriate for healthcare-provider CPR?
A. 30 compressions to 2 ventilations.
B. 15 compressions to 2 ventilations.
C. Continuous compressions with one ventilation every 2 to 3 seconds.
D. 5 compressions to 1 ventilation.
Correct Answer: A. 30 compressions to 2 ventilations.
Rationale: For adult cardiac arrest without an advanced airway, Red Cross BLS uses cycles of 30 compressions
followed by 2 ventilations.
8. In a skills-based patient scenario, a trained provider checks a child for a central pulse during BLS
assessment. Which site is appropriate?
A. Posterior tibial pulse.
B. Temporal pulse.
C. Carotid pulse.
D. Radial pulse only.
Correct Answer: C. Carotid pulse.
Rationale: Red Cross assessment guidance identifies the carotid pulse as a standard site for children.
9. A rapid assessment reveals the following: During CPR, a provider keeps part of their weight on the
patient chest between compressions. Which coaching point is most important?
A. Release pressure fully after each compression to allow complete chest recoil.
B. Increase the compression rate above 130 per minute.
C. Pause after every 10 compressions to check a pulse.
D. Use shallower compressions to reduce fatigue.
Correct Answer: A. Release pressure fully after each compression to allow complete chest recoil.
Rationale: Leaning prevents complete recoil and reduces venous return. High-quality CPR requires full chest
recoil after each compression.
10. A rapid assessment reveals the following: A trained provider checks an infant for a pulse during BLS
assessment. Which site is appropriate?
A. Dorsalis pedis pulse.
B. Brachial pulse.
C. Radial pulse.
D. Carotid pulse only.
Correct Answer: B. Brachial pulse.
Rationale: The brachial pulse is the standard pulse check site for infants in Red Cross BLS assessment.
11. An unresponsive adult patient may be pregnant, but no pregnancy is known and no visibly pregnant
abdomen is apparent. Based on current BLS guidance, which BLS pathway should be used initially?
A. Delay care until a pregnancy test is available.
B. Use pediatric BLS.
C. Avoid AED use because pregnancy cannot be excluded.
D. Use the standard adult/adolescent BLS approach.
Correct Answer: D. Use the standard adult/adolescent BLS approach.
Rationale: If pregnancy status is unknown, the Red Cross pregnancy code card directs providers to use the
standard adult/adolescent BLS algorithm.
12. The BLS team is managing this event: A lone healthcare provider finds a 4-year-old in an unwitnessed
cardiac arrest and has no phone within reach. What is the preferred sequence?
A. Wait beside the child until another person arrives.
B. Leave immediately to find an AED before starting CPR.
C. Provide about 2 minutes of CPR before leaving to activate EMS and retrieve an AED.
D. Provide rescue breaths only for 5 minutes.
Correct Answer: C. Provide about 2 minutes of CPR before leaving to activate EMS and retrieve an AED.
, Rationale: For an unwitnessed pediatric arrest when alone, provide about 2 minutes of CPR before leaving to
activate EMS and retrieve an AED if not already done.
13. A rapid assessment reveals the following: A patient in cardiac arrest has a visibly pregnant abdomen
consistent with about 20 weeks or more. Which additional BLS action should be provided when resources
allow?
A. Continuous manual left uterine displacement during resuscitation.
B. Place the patient prone for compressions.
C. Right uterine displacement only during AED analysis.
D. Stop compressions and place the patient fully on the left side.
Correct Answer: A. Continuous manual left uterine displacement during resuscitation.
Rationale: For visibly advanced pregnancy, continuous left uterine displacement reduces aortocaval compression
while allowing effective supine CPR.
14. While providing BLS care, a provider gives bag-mask ventilations so forcefully that the chest rises
dramatically with each breath. Which adjustment is most appropriate?
A. Use only enough volume to produce visible chest rise and avoid excessive ventilation.
B. Give two breaths simultaneously to reduce pauses.
C. Stop ventilations and provide compressions only even though a trained team is present.
D. Squeeze the bag faster to increase oxygen delivery.
Correct Answer: A. Use only enough volume to produce visible chest rise and avoid excessive ventilation.
Rationale: Ventilations should be controlled and sufficient to produce visible chest rise. Excessive volume or rate
can be harmful.
15. A bystander suggests compression-only CPR for a drowning victim even though trained providers with
ventilation equipment are present. Which response best follows current Red Cross BLS guidance?
A. Wait for advanced airway placement before any CPR.
B. Use compression-ventilation CPR because ventilations are especially important after drowning.
C. Provide ventilations without compressions for all drowning arrests.
D. Use compression-only CPR because breaths are never used in BLS.
Correct Answer: B. Use compression-ventilation CPR because ventilations are especially important after
drowning.
Rationale: Drowning arrests are typically hypoxic, so trained providers should use compression-ventilation CPR;
compression-only CPR is an alternative only when ventilations cannot be provided.
16. During a clinical emergency, A lone healthcare provider witnesses a child suddenly collapse. What
should the provider do regarding help and an AED?
A. Activate the emergency response system and get the AED immediately, then begin or resume care.
B. Wait to see whether the child awakens spontaneously.
C. Give only ventilations until a second rescuer arrives.
D. Perform 10 minutes of CPR before calling for help.
Correct Answer: A. Activate the emergency response system and get the AED immediately, then begin or
resume care.
Rationale: For a witnessed pediatric arrest, the lone provider should call for help promptly because a sudden
witnessed collapse may be a shockable cardiac event.
17. A clinic is redesigning a public-access AED station. Based on current BLS guidance, which design best
supports rapid emergency use?
A. Store the AED battery separately from the device.
B. Store the AED in an immediately accessible location; an unlocked cabinet is preferred.
C. Hide the AED to reduce the possibility of theft.
D. Keep the AED in a locked office with no public instructions.
Correct Answer: B. Store the AED in an immediately accessible location; an unlocked cabinet is preferred.
Rationale: Current Red Cross guidance advises that public-access AEDs be readily accessible, with unlocked
storage preferred because locked cabinets can delay defibrillation.
18. The BLS team is managing this event: A 58-year-old collapses, is unresponsive, has only gasping
breaths, and no pulse is detected within 10 seconds. What should the healthcare provider do next?
A. Place the patient in a recovery position and reassess in 2 minutes.
B. Give one ventilation every 6 seconds without compressions.
