AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION CPR
WRITTEN EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | A+ GRADED | WITH EXPERT
SOLUTIONS
1. What is the first action when you find an unresponsive adult?
• A) Start chest compressions
• B) Check pulse
• C) Ensure scene safety and check responsiveness
• D) Get the AED
Rationale: Scene safety and responsiveness must be assessed before
initiating care.
2. What is the correct compression rate for adult CPR?
• A) 80–100/min
• B) 90–110/min
• C) 100–120/min
• D) 120–140/min
Rationale: The AHA recommends chest compressions at 100–120/min
to achieve effective coronary perfusion.
3. What is the correct compression depth for an adult?
• A) 1 inch
• B) 1.5 inches
• C) At least 2 inches (5 cm)
, • D) 3 inches
Rationale: Adequate depth ensures sufficient blood flow to vital organs
and improves survival outcomes.
4. What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for adult CPR with a
single rescuer?
• A) 15:2
• B) 30:2
• C) 15:1
• D) 30:1
Rationale: The 30:2 ratio optimizes oxygen delivery and circulation
during single-rescuer adult CPR.
5. How long should you check for a pulse in BLS?
• A) 1–2 seconds
• B) 3–5 seconds
• C) 5–10 seconds
• D) 10–15 seconds
Rationale: A pulse check should not exceed 10 seconds to minimize
pauses in chest compressions.
6. Which device is used to restore a shockable heart rhythm?
• A) Oxygen tank
• B) AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
• C) Bag-valve mask
• D) Suction device
Rationale: An AED analyzes the heart’s rhythm and, if indicated, delivers
a shock to stop chaotic electrical activity and allow a normal rhythm to
resume.
,7. When should rescuers switch positions during CPR?
• A) Never switch
• B) At 5-minute intervals
• C) About every 2 minutes
• D) Only when placing AED pads
Rationale: Frequent switching (approximately every 2 minutes) prevents
rescuer fatigue and maintains high-quality compressions.
8. If a person is unresponsive with gasping breaths and no pulse, you
should:
• A) Give 2 rescue breaths and recheck pulse
• B) Begin CPR immediately; gasps are not normal breathing
• C) Perform abdominal thrusts first
• D) Wait for emergency services to arrive
Rationale: Agonal gasps are not effective breathing and indicate cardiac
arrest. Immediate CPR is necessary.
9. The AHA Chain of Survival for adults begins with:
• A) Early defibrillation
• B) Recognition and activation of emergency response
• C) High-quality CPR
• D) Advanced life support
Rationale: The first link is recognizing cardiac arrest and calling for help;
all other links depend on this step.
10. What is the correct ratio for 2-rescuer child CPR?
• A) 30:2
• B) 15:2
• C) 30:1
, • D) 15:1
Rationale: For child CPR when two rescuers are present, the AHA
recommends a 15:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio.
11. Hands-only CPR is recommended for:
• A) Children found unresponsive
• B) Adult victims found unresponsive and not breathing
• C) Infants in cardiac arrest
• D) Any drowning victim
Rationale: For lay rescuers, hands-only CPR (compressions without
breaths) is effective for out-of-hospital adult cardiac arrest until EMS
arrives.
12. What does AED stand for?
• A) Automated External Defibrillator
• B) Automated External Defibrillator
• C) Advanced Emergency Defibrillator
• D) Automatic Electronic Defibrillator
Rationale: AED is the standard abbreviation for an Automated External
Defibrillator, a portable device that analyzes heart rhythm and can
deliver a shock.
13. After delivering a shock with an AED, the next step is:
• A) Check for a pulse
• B) Resume CPR for 2 minutes
• C) Deliver a second shock immediately
• D) Remove the AED pads
Rationale: Post-shock care should immediately resume CPR, starting
with chest compressions, for about 2 minutes before re-analysis.
WRITTEN EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | A+ GRADED | WITH EXPERT
SOLUTIONS
1. What is the first action when you find an unresponsive adult?
• A) Start chest compressions
• B) Check pulse
• C) Ensure scene safety and check responsiveness
• D) Get the AED
Rationale: Scene safety and responsiveness must be assessed before
initiating care.
2. What is the correct compression rate for adult CPR?
• A) 80–100/min
• B) 90–110/min
• C) 100–120/min
• D) 120–140/min
Rationale: The AHA recommends chest compressions at 100–120/min
to achieve effective coronary perfusion.
3. What is the correct compression depth for an adult?
• A) 1 inch
• B) 1.5 inches
• C) At least 2 inches (5 cm)
, • D) 3 inches
Rationale: Adequate depth ensures sufficient blood flow to vital organs
and improves survival outcomes.
4. What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for adult CPR with a
single rescuer?
• A) 15:2
• B) 30:2
• C) 15:1
• D) 30:1
Rationale: The 30:2 ratio optimizes oxygen delivery and circulation
during single-rescuer adult CPR.
5. How long should you check for a pulse in BLS?
• A) 1–2 seconds
• B) 3–5 seconds
• C) 5–10 seconds
• D) 10–15 seconds
Rationale: A pulse check should not exceed 10 seconds to minimize
pauses in chest compressions.
6. Which device is used to restore a shockable heart rhythm?
• A) Oxygen tank
• B) AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
• C) Bag-valve mask
• D) Suction device
Rationale: An AED analyzes the heart’s rhythm and, if indicated, delivers
a shock to stop chaotic electrical activity and allow a normal rhythm to
resume.
,7. When should rescuers switch positions during CPR?
• A) Never switch
• B) At 5-minute intervals
• C) About every 2 minutes
• D) Only when placing AED pads
Rationale: Frequent switching (approximately every 2 minutes) prevents
rescuer fatigue and maintains high-quality compressions.
8. If a person is unresponsive with gasping breaths and no pulse, you
should:
• A) Give 2 rescue breaths and recheck pulse
• B) Begin CPR immediately; gasps are not normal breathing
• C) Perform abdominal thrusts first
• D) Wait for emergency services to arrive
Rationale: Agonal gasps are not effective breathing and indicate cardiac
arrest. Immediate CPR is necessary.
9. The AHA Chain of Survival for adults begins with:
• A) Early defibrillation
• B) Recognition and activation of emergency response
• C) High-quality CPR
• D) Advanced life support
Rationale: The first link is recognizing cardiac arrest and calling for help;
all other links depend on this step.
10. What is the correct ratio for 2-rescuer child CPR?
• A) 30:2
• B) 15:2
• C) 30:1
, • D) 15:1
Rationale: For child CPR when two rescuers are present, the AHA
recommends a 15:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio.
11. Hands-only CPR is recommended for:
• A) Children found unresponsive
• B) Adult victims found unresponsive and not breathing
• C) Infants in cardiac arrest
• D) Any drowning victim
Rationale: For lay rescuers, hands-only CPR (compressions without
breaths) is effective for out-of-hospital adult cardiac arrest until EMS
arrives.
12. What does AED stand for?
• A) Automated External Defibrillator
• B) Automated External Defibrillator
• C) Advanced Emergency Defibrillator
• D) Automatic Electronic Defibrillator
Rationale: AED is the standard abbreviation for an Automated External
Defibrillator, a portable device that analyzes heart rhythm and can
deliver a shock.
13. After delivering a shock with an AED, the next step is:
• A) Check for a pulse
• B) Resume CPR for 2 minutes
• C) Deliver a second shock immediately
• D) Remove the AED pads
Rationale: Post-shock care should immediately resume CPR, starting
with chest compressions, for about 2 minutes before re-analysis.
