NASM CPR-ASTI EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026
COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS || 100% GUARANTEED
PASS <RECENT VERSION>
Section 1: CPR & AED (Questions 1-50)
1. What is the first step you should take when you find an unresponsive adult?
A. Start chest compressions.
B. Check for breathing.
C. Tap and shout, "Are you okay?"
D. Go get an AED.
Answer: C. Tap and shout, "Are you okay?"
• Explanation: Before any physical intervention, you must check for
responsiveness by tapping the victim on the shoulder and shouting to see if
they react. This ensures you are not intervening on a person who is simply
sleeping or dazed.
2. If you are alone and find an unresponsive adult, after confirming
unresponsiveness, what is your next immediate action?
A. Give 2 rescue breaths.
B. Call 911 and get an AED.
C. Begin chest compressions.
D. Check for a pulse.
Answer: B. Call 911 and get an AED.
• Explanation: For an unresponsive adult, the priority is to activate the
Emergency Response System (call 911) and retrieve an AED immediately, as
early defibrillation is critical for survival from sudden cardiac arrest.
3. What is the correct hand placement for chest compressions on an adult?
A. On the very bottom of the sternum (xiphoid process).
B. On the lower half of the sternum, in the center of the chest.
,C. On the upper half of the sternum.
D. Slightly to the left of the sternum.
Answer: B. On the lower half of the sternum, in the center of the chest.
• Explanation: Placing your hands on the lower half of the sternum ensures
you are compressing the heart effectively without causing unnecessary
damage to other structures like the xiphoid process.
4. What is the recommended depth for chest compressions on an adult?
A. At least 1 inch
B. At least 2 inches
C. At least 2.4 inches (approx. 6 cm)
D. At least 3 inches
Answer: B. At least 2 inches
• Explanation: Current guidelines specify compressions should be at least 2
inches (5 cm) deep for an adult to create sufficient blood flow.
5. What is the correct rate for performing chest compressions?
A. 60-80 compressions per minute
B. 90-100 compressions per minute
C. 100-120 compressions per minute
D. As fast as you possibly can
Answer: C. 100-120 compressions per minute
• Explanation: A rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute is optimal for
maintaining blood flow without compromising the depth and recoil of the
compressions.
6. After delivering 30 chest compressions for an adult, what is the next step?
A. Check for a pulse.
B. Give 2 rescue breaths.
C. Wait for the AED to analyze.
D. Give 5 abdominal thrusts.
Answer: B. Give 2 rescue breaths.
, • Explanation: The standard cycle for one-rescuer adult CPR is 30 chest
compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths.
7. How do you open the airway of an unresponsive victim for rescue breaths?
A. Jaw Thrust maneuver
B. Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift maneuver
C. Neck Lift maneuver
D. Let them lie naturally.
Answer: B. Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift maneuver
• Explanation: The Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift is the primary method for opening
the airway in a non-trauma situation. The Jaw Thrust is reserved for
suspected spinal injuries.
8. When giving a rescue breath, how long should each breath last?
A. 1 second
B. 2 seconds
C. 3 seconds
D. As long as it takes to see the chest rise
Answer: A. 1 second
• Explanation: Each rescue breath should be delivered over about 1 second,
with just enough force to make the chest visibly rise. This avoids over-
inflation.
9. What should you do if the first rescue breath does not make the chest rise?
A. Skip the breaths and continue compressions.
B. Re-tilt the head and try again.
C. Perform abdominal thrusts.
D. Check for a pulse.
Answer: B. Re-tilt the head and try again.
• Explanation: If the chest doesn't rise, the airway is likely still blocked.
Before attempting the second breath, re-position the head and try again to
ensure an open airway.
, 10. The cycle of compressions to breaths for adult CPR by a single rescuer is:
A. 15 compressions to 2 breaths
B. 30 compressions to 2 breaths
C. 30 compressions to 1 breath
D. 15 compressions to 1 breath
Answer: B. 30 compressions to 2 breaths
• Explanation: For a single rescuer, the ratio is 30:2 for adults, children, and
infants (when alone).
11. When using an AED, the first step is to:
A. Press the shock button.
B. Wipe the chest dry.
C. Turn on the AED.
D. Place the pads on the chest.
Answer: C. Turn on the AED.
• Explanation: The very first step is to turn on the AED. The device will then
provide you with audio instructions for the remaining steps.
12. What should you do before the AED analyzes the heart rhythm?
A. Ensure no one is touching the victim.
B. Give 2 rescue breaths.
C. Check for a pulse.
D. Remove the medication patch from the victim's chest.
Answer: A. Ensure no one is touching the victim.
• Explanation: It is critical that no one is touching the victim during analysis
to prevent the AED from misreading the heart rhythm.
13. An AED pad should be placed on an adult:
A. Upper right chest and upper left chest.
B. Upper right chest and left side of the chest.
C. Upper right chest and lower left rib cage.
D. Center of the chest and center of the back.
Answer: B. Upper right chest and left side of the chest.
COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS || 100% GUARANTEED
PASS <RECENT VERSION>
Section 1: CPR & AED (Questions 1-50)
1. What is the first step you should take when you find an unresponsive adult?
A. Start chest compressions.
B. Check for breathing.
C. Tap and shout, "Are you okay?"
D. Go get an AED.
Answer: C. Tap and shout, "Are you okay?"
• Explanation: Before any physical intervention, you must check for
responsiveness by tapping the victim on the shoulder and shouting to see if
they react. This ensures you are not intervening on a person who is simply
sleeping or dazed.
2. If you are alone and find an unresponsive adult, after confirming
unresponsiveness, what is your next immediate action?
A. Give 2 rescue breaths.
B. Call 911 and get an AED.
C. Begin chest compressions.
D. Check for a pulse.
Answer: B. Call 911 and get an AED.
• Explanation: For an unresponsive adult, the priority is to activate the
Emergency Response System (call 911) and retrieve an AED immediately, as
early defibrillation is critical for survival from sudden cardiac arrest.
3. What is the correct hand placement for chest compressions on an adult?
A. On the very bottom of the sternum (xiphoid process).
B. On the lower half of the sternum, in the center of the chest.
,C. On the upper half of the sternum.
D. Slightly to the left of the sternum.
Answer: B. On the lower half of the sternum, in the center of the chest.
• Explanation: Placing your hands on the lower half of the sternum ensures
you are compressing the heart effectively without causing unnecessary
damage to other structures like the xiphoid process.
4. What is the recommended depth for chest compressions on an adult?
A. At least 1 inch
B. At least 2 inches
C. At least 2.4 inches (approx. 6 cm)
D. At least 3 inches
Answer: B. At least 2 inches
• Explanation: Current guidelines specify compressions should be at least 2
inches (5 cm) deep for an adult to create sufficient blood flow.
5. What is the correct rate for performing chest compressions?
A. 60-80 compressions per minute
B. 90-100 compressions per minute
C. 100-120 compressions per minute
D. As fast as you possibly can
Answer: C. 100-120 compressions per minute
• Explanation: A rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute is optimal for
maintaining blood flow without compromising the depth and recoil of the
compressions.
6. After delivering 30 chest compressions for an adult, what is the next step?
A. Check for a pulse.
B. Give 2 rescue breaths.
C. Wait for the AED to analyze.
D. Give 5 abdominal thrusts.
Answer: B. Give 2 rescue breaths.
, • Explanation: The standard cycle for one-rescuer adult CPR is 30 chest
compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths.
7. How do you open the airway of an unresponsive victim for rescue breaths?
A. Jaw Thrust maneuver
B. Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift maneuver
C. Neck Lift maneuver
D. Let them lie naturally.
Answer: B. Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift maneuver
• Explanation: The Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift is the primary method for opening
the airway in a non-trauma situation. The Jaw Thrust is reserved for
suspected spinal injuries.
8. When giving a rescue breath, how long should each breath last?
A. 1 second
B. 2 seconds
C. 3 seconds
D. As long as it takes to see the chest rise
Answer: A. 1 second
• Explanation: Each rescue breath should be delivered over about 1 second,
with just enough force to make the chest visibly rise. This avoids over-
inflation.
9. What should you do if the first rescue breath does not make the chest rise?
A. Skip the breaths and continue compressions.
B. Re-tilt the head and try again.
C. Perform abdominal thrusts.
D. Check for a pulse.
Answer: B. Re-tilt the head and try again.
• Explanation: If the chest doesn't rise, the airway is likely still blocked.
Before attempting the second breath, re-position the head and try again to
ensure an open airway.
, 10. The cycle of compressions to breaths for adult CPR by a single rescuer is:
A. 15 compressions to 2 breaths
B. 30 compressions to 2 breaths
C. 30 compressions to 1 breath
D. 15 compressions to 1 breath
Answer: B. 30 compressions to 2 breaths
• Explanation: For a single rescuer, the ratio is 30:2 for adults, children, and
infants (when alone).
11. When using an AED, the first step is to:
A. Press the shock button.
B. Wipe the chest dry.
C. Turn on the AED.
D. Place the pads on the chest.
Answer: C. Turn on the AED.
• Explanation: The very first step is to turn on the AED. The device will then
provide you with audio instructions for the remaining steps.
12. What should you do before the AED analyzes the heart rhythm?
A. Ensure no one is touching the victim.
B. Give 2 rescue breaths.
C. Check for a pulse.
D. Remove the medication patch from the victim's chest.
Answer: A. Ensure no one is touching the victim.
• Explanation: It is critical that no one is touching the victim during analysis
to prevent the AED from misreading the heart rhythm.
13. An AED pad should be placed on an adult:
A. Upper right chest and upper left chest.
B. Upper right chest and left side of the chest.
C. Upper right chest and lower left rib cage.
D. Center of the chest and center of the back.
Answer: B. Upper right chest and left side of the chest.
