American Red Cross BLS Final Exam Actual Exam |
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Adult BLS & AED Protocols
Q1: You are walking through a parking lot when you see an adult suddenly collapse. You
quickly check that the scene is safe, approach the person, tap their shoulder, and shout,
"Are you okay?" The person is unresponsive and not breathing normally. You are alone.
What is your next step?
A. Immediately begin chest compressions at a rate of 100 per minute
B. Check the carotid pulse for at least 15 seconds to confirm cardiac arrest
C. Call 911, send someone for an AED, and then begin CPR [CORRECT]
D. Open the airway and give 2 rescue breaths before starting compressions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best answer is C. For an adult who collapses in front of you, Red Cross
BLS follows the phone-first approach—get emergency services and an AED on the way
before you start CPR. That way help is coming while you're doing compressions, and the
AED is critical for survival.
Q2: During adult CPR, you are using a feedback device that reads "Compression depth:
1.7 inches." What should you do?
A. Continue current compressions since 1.7 inches is close enough to the target
B. Increase compression depth to at least 2 inches but not more than 2.4 inches
[CORRECT]
C. Decrease compression depth to avoid causing a rib fracture
D. Stop compressions and recalibrate the feedback device
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: The best answer is B. Red Cross guidelines specify adult compressions need
to be at least 2 inches deep but not more than 2.4 inches. A reading of 1.7 inches
means you're not pushing hard enough to generate adequate blood flow, so you need to
deepen those compressions.
Q3: Your team leader tells you your compressions are too slow. What is the target
compression rate for adult high-quality CPR?
A. 80 to 100 compressions per minute
B. 100 to 120 compressions per minute [CORRECT]
C. 120 to 140 compressions per minute
D. At least 60 compressions per minute
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. We aim for 100 to 120 compressions per minute for
adults. Going slower doesn't generate enough perfusion, and going faster than 120
means you're not letting the chest recoil fully between compressions, which hurts
coronary perfusion.
Q4: During a code, the team leader notices the compressor is leaning on the patient's
chest between compressions. What is the primary concern?
A. The compressor will become fatigued more quickly
B. Leaning prevents full chest recoil and reduces cardiac filling [CORRECT]
C. Leaning increases the risk of sternal fracture
D. Leaning is acceptable if the compressions are deep enough
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. Full chest recoil is essential because it allows the heart
to refill between compressions. When you lean on the chest, you keep pressure on the
heart and great vessels, which drops coronary perfusion pressure and makes your
compressions much less effective.
Q5: You are checking for a carotid pulse on an unresponsive adult. How long should you
check?
A. At least 15 seconds to be absolutely certain
B. No more than 10 seconds [CORRECT]
C. Exactly 5 seconds
D. Until you feel a definite pulse or have checked both carotid arteries
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. Red Cross teaches us to check the pulse for no more
than 10 seconds. If you don't feel a pulse within that window, you need to start
compressions because every second of delay reduces the patient's chance of survival.
Q6: You are alone and find an adult who is unresponsive and not breathing normally.
You called 911 and sent someone for an AED. What is your next action?
A. Check the pulse for 30 seconds before starting compressions
B. Begin cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths [CORRECT]
C. Give 2 rescue breaths before starting compressions
D. Wait for the AED to arrive before doing anything else
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. Once you've activated emergency response and have
an AED coming, you start CPR immediately with 30 compressions followed by 2
breaths. The CAB sequence puts compressions first because circulating oxygenated
blood is the priority in adult cardiac arrest.
Q7: Where should the AED pads be placed on an adult?
A. Both pads on the left side of the chest, one above the other
B. One pad on the upper right chest below the collarbone, one on the left side below the
armpit [CORRECT]
C. One pad on the front and one on the back of the chest
D. One pad on the sternum and one on the apex of the heart
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. We place one pad on the upper right chest just below
the clavicle and the other on the left side below the armpit, lateral to the nipple. This
positioning allows the shock to travel through the heart muscle for maximum
effectiveness.
Q8: The AED arrives and you turn it on. What is your next step?
A. Immediately press the shock button
B. Attach the pads to the patient's bare chest and plug in the connector [CORRECT]
C. Check the pulse while the AED is analyzing
D. Give 2 minutes of CPR before attaching the pads
Correct Answer: B
Latest Version | 100% Correct & Verified Complete
Questions and Answers Detailed Rationales Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Adult BLS & AED Protocols
Q1: You are walking through a parking lot when you see an adult suddenly collapse. You
quickly check that the scene is safe, approach the person, tap their shoulder, and shout,
"Are you okay?" The person is unresponsive and not breathing normally. You are alone.
What is your next step?
A. Immediately begin chest compressions at a rate of 100 per minute
B. Check the carotid pulse for at least 15 seconds to confirm cardiac arrest
C. Call 911, send someone for an AED, and then begin CPR [CORRECT]
D. Open the airway and give 2 rescue breaths before starting compressions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best answer is C. For an adult who collapses in front of you, Red Cross
BLS follows the phone-first approach—get emergency services and an AED on the way
before you start CPR. That way help is coming while you're doing compressions, and the
AED is critical for survival.
Q2: During adult CPR, you are using a feedback device that reads "Compression depth:
1.7 inches." What should you do?
A. Continue current compressions since 1.7 inches is close enough to the target
B. Increase compression depth to at least 2 inches but not more than 2.4 inches
[CORRECT]
C. Decrease compression depth to avoid causing a rib fracture
D. Stop compressions and recalibrate the feedback device
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: The best answer is B. Red Cross guidelines specify adult compressions need
to be at least 2 inches deep but not more than 2.4 inches. A reading of 1.7 inches
means you're not pushing hard enough to generate adequate blood flow, so you need to
deepen those compressions.
Q3: Your team leader tells you your compressions are too slow. What is the target
compression rate for adult high-quality CPR?
A. 80 to 100 compressions per minute
B. 100 to 120 compressions per minute [CORRECT]
C. 120 to 140 compressions per minute
D. At least 60 compressions per minute
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. We aim for 100 to 120 compressions per minute for
adults. Going slower doesn't generate enough perfusion, and going faster than 120
means you're not letting the chest recoil fully between compressions, which hurts
coronary perfusion.
Q4: During a code, the team leader notices the compressor is leaning on the patient's
chest between compressions. What is the primary concern?
A. The compressor will become fatigued more quickly
B. Leaning prevents full chest recoil and reduces cardiac filling [CORRECT]
C. Leaning increases the risk of sternal fracture
D. Leaning is acceptable if the compressions are deep enough
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. Full chest recoil is essential because it allows the heart
to refill between compressions. When you lean on the chest, you keep pressure on the
heart and great vessels, which drops coronary perfusion pressure and makes your
compressions much less effective.
Q5: You are checking for a carotid pulse on an unresponsive adult. How long should you
check?
A. At least 15 seconds to be absolutely certain
B. No more than 10 seconds [CORRECT]
C. Exactly 5 seconds
D. Until you feel a definite pulse or have checked both carotid arteries
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. Red Cross teaches us to check the pulse for no more
than 10 seconds. If you don't feel a pulse within that window, you need to start
compressions because every second of delay reduces the patient's chance of survival.
Q6: You are alone and find an adult who is unresponsive and not breathing normally.
You called 911 and sent someone for an AED. What is your next action?
A. Check the pulse for 30 seconds before starting compressions
B. Begin cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths [CORRECT]
C. Give 2 rescue breaths before starting compressions
D. Wait for the AED to arrive before doing anything else
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. Once you've activated emergency response and have
an AED coming, you start CPR immediately with 30 compressions followed by 2
breaths. The CAB sequence puts compressions first because circulating oxygenated
blood is the priority in adult cardiac arrest.
Q7: Where should the AED pads be placed on an adult?
A. Both pads on the left side of the chest, one above the other
B. One pad on the upper right chest below the collarbone, one on the left side below the
armpit [CORRECT]
C. One pad on the front and one on the back of the chest
D. One pad on the sternum and one on the apex of the heart
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. We place one pad on the upper right chest just below
the clavicle and the other on the left side below the armpit, lateral to the nipple. This
positioning allows the shock to travel through the heart muscle for maximum
effectiveness.
Q8: The AED arrives and you turn it on. What is your next step?
A. Immediately press the shock button
B. Attach the pads to the patient's bare chest and plug in the connector [CORRECT]
C. Check the pulse while the AED is analyzing
D. Give 2 minutes of CPR before attaching the pads
Correct Answer: B
