American Heart Association Basic Life Support Exam Questions & Answers

A victim with a foreign-body airway obstruction becomes unresponsive. What is your first course of action? A. start CPR, beginning with chest compressions B. roll the victim over and perform back blows C. perform abdominal thrusts D. perform blind finger sweeps - ANSWERSA. start CPR, beginning with chest compressions How can rescuers ensure that they are providing effective breaths when using a bag-mask device? A. observing the chest rise with each breath B. always having oxygen attached to the bag C. delivering breaths quickly and forcefully D. allowing air to release around the mask - ANSWERSA. observing the chest rise with each breath Which characteristics of chest compressions in high-quality CPR are given to a child? A. at least 1/3 of the depth of the chest, approximately 2 inches (5 cm) B. at least 1/2 of of the depth of the chest, approximately 3 inches (8 cm) C. at least 2/3 of the depth of the chest, approximately 4 inches (10 cm) D. at least 1/4 of the depth of the chest, approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm) - ANSWERSA. at least 1/3 of the depth of the chest, approximately 2 inches (5 cm) Which adult victim requires high-quality CPR? A. has normal breathing and a pulse B. has no normal breathing and no pulse C. has a pulse and is having trouble breathing D. has a strong pulse and is breathing - ANSWERSB. has no normal breathing and no pulse You witness someone suddenly collapse. The person is unresponsive, you hear gasping sounds, and there is no pulse. You phone 9-1-1. What should you do next? A. begin CPR; the gasps are not normal breathing B. give rescue breaths only; the gasps are not normal breathing C. monitor the patient; the gasps are considered normal breathing D. begin CPR even though the gasping is normal breathing - ANSWERSA. begin CPR; the gasps are not normal breathing When the AED arrives, what is the first step for using it? A. apply the pads to the chest B. clear the patient C. turn on the AED D. press the shock button - ANSWERSC. turn on the AED After the AED pads are attached to the person, the AED detects ventricular fibrillation. What is the next step when using an AED? A. press the shock button B. follow the AED prompts C. check for a carotid pulse D. clear the patient - ANSWERSB. follow the AED prompts What ratio for compressions to breaths should be used for 1-rescuer infant CPR? A. give 20 compressions to 2 breaths B. give 5 compressions to 1 breath C. give 15 compressions to 2 breaths D. give 30 compressions to 2 breaths - ANSWERSD. give 30 compressions to 2 breaths What special circumstance should a rescuer consider when using an AED? A. AEDs can only be used while a person is submerged in water B. on a hairy chest, the pads may not stick and may fail to deliver a shock C. they should never remove a transdermal medication patch before applying AED pads D. they should never use an AED on someone with an implanted pacemaker - ANSWERSC. they should never remove a transdermal medication patch before applying AED pads Why is allowing complete chest recoil important when performing high-quality CPR? A. there will be a reduction of rescuer fatigue B. the rate of chest compressions will increase C. the heart will adequately refill between compressions D. it will reduce the risk of rib fractures - ANSWERSC. the heart will adequately refill between compressions What should you do if you need to use an AED on someone who has been submerged in water? A. pull the person out of the water, but do not use the AED B. do not move the person, and do not use the AED C. pull the person out of the water, and wipe the chest D. do not pull the person out of the water and wipe the chest - ANSWERSC. pull the person out of the water, and wipe the chest