American Red Cross CPR/AED Certification Quiz
Comprehensive Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation &
Automated External Defibrillator Competency Assessment
2026/2027 Edition
──────────────────────────────────────────────────
Aligned with American Red Cross Training Standards
and American Heart Association 2020 Guidelines for CPR & ECC
25 Multiple-Choice Questions | 30-Minute Assessment | 80% Passing Score (20/25)
2-Year Certification Validity with Recertification Course Completion
, Abstract
This document presents the American Red Cross CPR/AED Certification Quiz for the 2026/2027
certification cycle, comprising 25 multiple-choice questions designed to evaluate foundational
competency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator operation. The
assessment aligns with the American Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Lay Responders
curriculum and incorporates current evidence-based protocols from the American Heart Association
2020 Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Core domains assessed include emergency
response and scene safety, adult CPR and AED procedures, child and infant CPR modifications, choking
management across all age groups, AED operation and safety, recovery position and post-event care,
opioid overdose response, special resuscitation considerations, team dynamics and communication, and
scenario-based clinical application. Each question is accompanied by a detailed rationale explaining the
underlying resuscitation science, procedural logic, and clinical reasoning. This quiz serves as a
comprehensive preparation resource for candidates seeking initial American Red Cross CPR/AED
certification or recertification, ensuring mastery of life-saving competencies essential for emergency
cardiac care in both lay responder and professional rescuer contexts.
Keywords: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Automated External Defibrillator; American Red Cross
Certification; Emergency Cardiac Care; Resuscitation Guidelines 2020; Basic Life Support
1. Introduction
Sudden cardiac arrest remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, claiming
approximately 350,000 lives annually in the United States alone. Immediate initiation of high-quality
cardiopulmonary resuscitation and early defibrillation through automated external defibrillators are the
two most critical interventions for improving survival outcomes. The American Red Cross, as a premier
training organization, certifies millions of lay responders and professional rescuers each year in CPR and
AED operation, ensuring a prepared chain of survival within communities across the nation.
This certification quiz for the 2026/2027 cycle reflects the most current resuscitation science,
incorporating updates from the American Heart Association 2020 Guidelines for CPR and Emergency
Cardiovascular Care. The assessment covers ten core domains essential for competent emergency cardiac
response: emergency response and scene safety, adult CPR and AED procedures, child and infant CPR
modifications, choking management for all ages, AED operation and safety, recovery position and post-
event care, opioid overdose response, special resuscitation considerations, team dynamics and
communication, and scenario-based clinical application. Each domain is weighted to reflect its clinical
significance and frequency of application in real-world emergencies.
The quiz consists of 25 multiple-choice questions with a single best answer format, including both
knowledge-based and scenario-based items. A passing score of 80% (20 correct out of 25) is required for
American Red Cross CPR/AED certification eligibility. Certification remains valid for two years, after
which a recertification course must be completed. Candidates are strongly encouraged to review all
rationales thoroughly, as they provide the evidence-based foundation underlying each correct response
and reinforce the clinical reasoning essential for confident, effective emergency response.
2. Exam Instructions and Overview
This assessment contains 25 multiple-choice questions. Select the single best answer for each
question. There is no penalty for guessing, so candidates should attempt every question. The total testing
time is 30 minutes. A score of 80% (20/25 correct) is required to pass and qualify for American Red Cross
CPR/AED certification. Questions are drawn from ten competency domains as outlined below. Each
question includes the correct answer and a detailed rationale explaining the underlying resuscitation
protocol, guideline reference, or clinical reasoning principle. This quiz may be administered via the Red
Cross Learning Center in computer-based format or as a paper-based assessment during an instructor-led
course.
Domain Topic Area Questions
I Emergency Response & Scene Safety 1–3
II Adult CPR & AED Procedures 4–7
Comprehensive Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation &
Automated External Defibrillator Competency Assessment
2026/2027 Edition
──────────────────────────────────────────────────
Aligned with American Red Cross Training Standards
and American Heart Association 2020 Guidelines for CPR & ECC
25 Multiple-Choice Questions | 30-Minute Assessment | 80% Passing Score (20/25)
2-Year Certification Validity with Recertification Course Completion
, Abstract
This document presents the American Red Cross CPR/AED Certification Quiz for the 2026/2027
certification cycle, comprising 25 multiple-choice questions designed to evaluate foundational
competency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator operation. The
assessment aligns with the American Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Lay Responders
curriculum and incorporates current evidence-based protocols from the American Heart Association
2020 Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Core domains assessed include emergency
response and scene safety, adult CPR and AED procedures, child and infant CPR modifications, choking
management across all age groups, AED operation and safety, recovery position and post-event care,
opioid overdose response, special resuscitation considerations, team dynamics and communication, and
scenario-based clinical application. Each question is accompanied by a detailed rationale explaining the
underlying resuscitation science, procedural logic, and clinical reasoning. This quiz serves as a
comprehensive preparation resource for candidates seeking initial American Red Cross CPR/AED
certification or recertification, ensuring mastery of life-saving competencies essential for emergency
cardiac care in both lay responder and professional rescuer contexts.
Keywords: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Automated External Defibrillator; American Red Cross
Certification; Emergency Cardiac Care; Resuscitation Guidelines 2020; Basic Life Support
1. Introduction
Sudden cardiac arrest remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, claiming
approximately 350,000 lives annually in the United States alone. Immediate initiation of high-quality
cardiopulmonary resuscitation and early defibrillation through automated external defibrillators are the
two most critical interventions for improving survival outcomes. The American Red Cross, as a premier
training organization, certifies millions of lay responders and professional rescuers each year in CPR and
AED operation, ensuring a prepared chain of survival within communities across the nation.
This certification quiz for the 2026/2027 cycle reflects the most current resuscitation science,
incorporating updates from the American Heart Association 2020 Guidelines for CPR and Emergency
Cardiovascular Care. The assessment covers ten core domains essential for competent emergency cardiac
response: emergency response and scene safety, adult CPR and AED procedures, child and infant CPR
modifications, choking management for all ages, AED operation and safety, recovery position and post-
event care, opioid overdose response, special resuscitation considerations, team dynamics and
communication, and scenario-based clinical application. Each domain is weighted to reflect its clinical
significance and frequency of application in real-world emergencies.
The quiz consists of 25 multiple-choice questions with a single best answer format, including both
knowledge-based and scenario-based items. A passing score of 80% (20 correct out of 25) is required for
American Red Cross CPR/AED certification eligibility. Certification remains valid for two years, after
which a recertification course must be completed. Candidates are strongly encouraged to review all
rationales thoroughly, as they provide the evidence-based foundation underlying each correct response
and reinforce the clinical reasoning essential for confident, effective emergency response.
2. Exam Instructions and Overview
This assessment contains 25 multiple-choice questions. Select the single best answer for each
question. There is no penalty for guessing, so candidates should attempt every question. The total testing
time is 30 minutes. A score of 80% (20/25 correct) is required to pass and qualify for American Red Cross
CPR/AED certification. Questions are drawn from ten competency domains as outlined below. Each
question includes the correct answer and a detailed rationale explaining the underlying resuscitation
protocol, guideline reference, or clinical reasoning principle. This quiz may be administered via the Red
Cross Learning Center in computer-based format or as a paper-based assessment during an instructor-led
course.
Domain Topic Area Questions
I Emergency Response & Scene Safety 1–3
II Adult CPR & AED Procedures 4–7
