BLS AHA FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS LATEST ACTUAL
EXAM 200+ QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES|AGRADE
As of 2017, what percent of people who have an out-of-hospital, non-traumatic
cardiac arrest, treated by EMS, survive to be discharged from the hospital? -
ANSWER: 10%
How does the AHA define adults, children and infants? - ANSWER: Adults =
adolescents (ie., after the onset of puberty and older
Children = 1 year of age to onset of puberty
Infants = less than 1 year of age (excluding newly born infants in the delivery room)
What are signs of puberty? - ANSWER: Chest or underarm hair in males and any
breast development in females.
The BLS Course focuses on preparing students to perform ___ skills. - ANSWER: CPR
What are the two components of CPR? - ANSWER: 1) chest compressions
2) breaths
What do these all describe?:
*Start compressions within 10 seconds
*Push hard, push fast
*Allow complete chest recoil
*Minimize interruptions
*Give effective breaths
*Avoid excessive ventilation - ANSWER: High-Quality CPR
How soon should compressions be started after the recognition of cardiac arrest? -
ANSWER: Within 10 seconds
At what rate should chest compressions be given? - ANSWER: 100-120 beats/minute
At what depth should chest compressions be given in adults? - ANSWER: At least 2
inches (5 centimeters)
At what depth should chest compressions be given in children? - ANSWER: At least
1/3 depth of chest , about 2 inches (5 centimeters)
At what depth should chest compressions be given in infants? - ANSWER: At least
1/3 depth of chest, about 1.5 inches (4 centimeters)
High-quality CPR includes minimizing interruptions in chest compressions. Try to
limit interruptions to less than __ seconds. - ANSWER: 10
,What constitutes an effective breath in high-quality CPR? - ANSWER: Making the
chest rise
Chest compressions are more often too shallow than too deep. However, research
suggest that compression depth greater than 2.4 inches (6 centimeters) in adults
may cause injuries. If you have a CPR quality feedback device, what is the optimal
target for compression depth? - ANSWER: 2 - 2.4 inches (5 - 6 cm)
With adults, what is the first thing you should do when you recognize the adult is not
responsive? - ANSWER: Activate EMS or ask someone to do it.
The sooner you activate EMS, the sooner the next level of care can arrive. Start high-
quality CPR without delay.
___ bridges the transition from BLS to more advanced care. - ANSWER: ALS
In which locations do most out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur?
a. healthcare clinics
b. homes
c. recreational facilities
d. shopping centers - ANSWER: b. homes
Which is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in children?
a. cardiac problem
b. congenital or acquired heart defect
c. respiratory failure or shock
d. infection and sepsis - ANSWER: c. respiratory failure or shock
Which statement best describes sudden cardiac arrest?
a. when respiratory distress in adults occurs and the heart rate does not change
b. when the heart rate is 40 - 60/min and respirations increase
c. when the blood flow to the heart is blocked and the heart rate increases
d. when an abnormal rhythm develops and the heart stops beating unexpectedly -
ANSWER: d. when an abnormal rhythm develops and the heart stops beating
unexpectedly
What are the 3 main components of CPR - ANSWER: 1) compressions
2) airway
3) breathing
What are 6 steps of the adult cardiac arrest algorithm? - ANSWER: 1) verify scene
safety/note time if possible
2) assess responsiveness (tap shoulder and shout "ARE YOU OKAY?"
Not okay? [1] shout for help
[2] activate ems via cell phone if appropriate
, [3] get AED/emergency equipment/Narcan (or send someone to do so)
3) look for breathing or only gasping [scan the victims chest for rise/fall] and check
pulse (simultaneously). Is pulse definitely felt within 10 seconds? Yes = monitor
person until emergency responders arrive
No breathing but + pulse = provide rescue breathing with 1 breath every 5 - 6
seconds (total 10 - 12 breaths per minute). Consider triad of opioid OD (1. ask
bystanders if know what happened 2) look for track marks 3) look for pill bottles,
needles, etc.) Continue rescue breathing doing this while checking for a pulse about
every 2 minutes. If not pulse, start CPR. If possible opioid OD, give Narcan
No breathing/just gasping & no definitive pulse (after checking for 5 - 10 seconds) =
start CPR (step # 4)
**By this time in all scenarios, 1) EMS or backup is activated & 2) AED/emergency
equipment/Narcan have been retrieved or someone is retrieving them - CONFIRM
THESE 2 THINGS HAVE BEEN DONE
4) CPR should begin within 10 seconds of checking for
responsiveness/breathing/pulse. Quickly remove clothing for proper hand placement
and placement of AED pads. Patient should be on a firm surface (floor/board).
Begin cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths. Turn on and follow the prompts of
AED as soon as it arrives.
5) AED arrives. Turn it on and follow prompts.
6) AED will say whether the rhythm is shockable. SWITCH ROLES IF 2 RESCUERS ARE
PRESENT
Yes = Give 1 shock and follow AED instructions (resume CPR immediately for ~ 2
minutes, until prompted by the AED to do another rhythm check). Continue this
cycle until patient becomes responsive or the victim starts to move.
No =
How many times is breathing and/or a pulse checked in adult CPR? - ANSWER: Just
once, at the beginning. Afterwards, the AED (if shock advised), patient (if moves) or
ALS crew dictates when CPR is stopped.
How many seconds should it take to verify 1) unresponsiveness 2) lack of breathing
and/or circulation 3) notifying EMS 4) getting AED/emergency equipment? -
ANSWER: No more than 10 seconds
When are agonal gasps seen in sudden cardiac arrest? - ANSWER: Agonal gasps may
be present in the first minutes after sudden cardiac arrest.
What is this describing:
Person usually looks like he's drawing air in very quickly. The mouth may be open
and the jaw, head or neck may move with this effort. May appear forceful or weak.
Some time may occur between them because they usually happen at a slow rate.
May sound like a snort, snore or groan. This is not normal breathing. It's a sign of
cardiac arrest. - ANSWER: Agonal gasps
How do you locate the carotid pulse? - ANSWER: 1) locate the trachea on the side
closest to you, using 2 - 3 fingers
EXAM 200+ QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES|AGRADE
As of 2017, what percent of people who have an out-of-hospital, non-traumatic
cardiac arrest, treated by EMS, survive to be discharged from the hospital? -
ANSWER: 10%
How does the AHA define adults, children and infants? - ANSWER: Adults =
adolescents (ie., after the onset of puberty and older
Children = 1 year of age to onset of puberty
Infants = less than 1 year of age (excluding newly born infants in the delivery room)
What are signs of puberty? - ANSWER: Chest or underarm hair in males and any
breast development in females.
The BLS Course focuses on preparing students to perform ___ skills. - ANSWER: CPR
What are the two components of CPR? - ANSWER: 1) chest compressions
2) breaths
What do these all describe?:
*Start compressions within 10 seconds
*Push hard, push fast
*Allow complete chest recoil
*Minimize interruptions
*Give effective breaths
*Avoid excessive ventilation - ANSWER: High-Quality CPR
How soon should compressions be started after the recognition of cardiac arrest? -
ANSWER: Within 10 seconds
At what rate should chest compressions be given? - ANSWER: 100-120 beats/minute
At what depth should chest compressions be given in adults? - ANSWER: At least 2
inches (5 centimeters)
At what depth should chest compressions be given in children? - ANSWER: At least
1/3 depth of chest , about 2 inches (5 centimeters)
At what depth should chest compressions be given in infants? - ANSWER: At least
1/3 depth of chest, about 1.5 inches (4 centimeters)
High-quality CPR includes minimizing interruptions in chest compressions. Try to
limit interruptions to less than __ seconds. - ANSWER: 10
,What constitutes an effective breath in high-quality CPR? - ANSWER: Making the
chest rise
Chest compressions are more often too shallow than too deep. However, research
suggest that compression depth greater than 2.4 inches (6 centimeters) in adults
may cause injuries. If you have a CPR quality feedback device, what is the optimal
target for compression depth? - ANSWER: 2 - 2.4 inches (5 - 6 cm)
With adults, what is the first thing you should do when you recognize the adult is not
responsive? - ANSWER: Activate EMS or ask someone to do it.
The sooner you activate EMS, the sooner the next level of care can arrive. Start high-
quality CPR without delay.
___ bridges the transition from BLS to more advanced care. - ANSWER: ALS
In which locations do most out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur?
a. healthcare clinics
b. homes
c. recreational facilities
d. shopping centers - ANSWER: b. homes
Which is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in children?
a. cardiac problem
b. congenital or acquired heart defect
c. respiratory failure or shock
d. infection and sepsis - ANSWER: c. respiratory failure or shock
Which statement best describes sudden cardiac arrest?
a. when respiratory distress in adults occurs and the heart rate does not change
b. when the heart rate is 40 - 60/min and respirations increase
c. when the blood flow to the heart is blocked and the heart rate increases
d. when an abnormal rhythm develops and the heart stops beating unexpectedly -
ANSWER: d. when an abnormal rhythm develops and the heart stops beating
unexpectedly
What are the 3 main components of CPR - ANSWER: 1) compressions
2) airway
3) breathing
What are 6 steps of the adult cardiac arrest algorithm? - ANSWER: 1) verify scene
safety/note time if possible
2) assess responsiveness (tap shoulder and shout "ARE YOU OKAY?"
Not okay? [1] shout for help
[2] activate ems via cell phone if appropriate
, [3] get AED/emergency equipment/Narcan (or send someone to do so)
3) look for breathing or only gasping [scan the victims chest for rise/fall] and check
pulse (simultaneously). Is pulse definitely felt within 10 seconds? Yes = monitor
person until emergency responders arrive
No breathing but + pulse = provide rescue breathing with 1 breath every 5 - 6
seconds (total 10 - 12 breaths per minute). Consider triad of opioid OD (1. ask
bystanders if know what happened 2) look for track marks 3) look for pill bottles,
needles, etc.) Continue rescue breathing doing this while checking for a pulse about
every 2 minutes. If not pulse, start CPR. If possible opioid OD, give Narcan
No breathing/just gasping & no definitive pulse (after checking for 5 - 10 seconds) =
start CPR (step # 4)
**By this time in all scenarios, 1) EMS or backup is activated & 2) AED/emergency
equipment/Narcan have been retrieved or someone is retrieving them - CONFIRM
THESE 2 THINGS HAVE BEEN DONE
4) CPR should begin within 10 seconds of checking for
responsiveness/breathing/pulse. Quickly remove clothing for proper hand placement
and placement of AED pads. Patient should be on a firm surface (floor/board).
Begin cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths. Turn on and follow the prompts of
AED as soon as it arrives.
5) AED arrives. Turn it on and follow prompts.
6) AED will say whether the rhythm is shockable. SWITCH ROLES IF 2 RESCUERS ARE
PRESENT
Yes = Give 1 shock and follow AED instructions (resume CPR immediately for ~ 2
minutes, until prompted by the AED to do another rhythm check). Continue this
cycle until patient becomes responsive or the victim starts to move.
No =
How many times is breathing and/or a pulse checked in adult CPR? - ANSWER: Just
once, at the beginning. Afterwards, the AED (if shock advised), patient (if moves) or
ALS crew dictates when CPR is stopped.
How many seconds should it take to verify 1) unresponsiveness 2) lack of breathing
and/or circulation 3) notifying EMS 4) getting AED/emergency equipment? -
ANSWER: No more than 10 seconds
When are agonal gasps seen in sudden cardiac arrest? - ANSWER: Agonal gasps may
be present in the first minutes after sudden cardiac arrest.
What is this describing:
Person usually looks like he's drawing air in very quickly. The mouth may be open
and the jaw, head or neck may move with this effort. May appear forceful or weak.
Some time may occur between them because they usually happen at a slow rate.
May sound like a snort, snore or groan. This is not normal breathing. It's a sign of
cardiac arrest. - ANSWER: Agonal gasps
How do you locate the carotid pulse? - ANSWER: 1) locate the trachea on the side
closest to you, using 2 - 3 fingers
