Basic Life Support (BLS) Exam | 2025/2026
Questions and Answers with Rationales American
Heart Association (AHA)\ Instant Download
Q1: What is the recommended compression rate for adult CPR according to AHA
2025 guidelines?
a) 80–100 compressions/min
b) 100–120 compressions/min (correct answer)
c) 120–140 compressions/min
d) 60–80 compressions/min
Rationale: The AHA 2025 guidelines recommend 100–120 compressions per
minute for effective CPR.
Q2: During BLS, what is the recommended compression depth for adults?
a) 3–4 cm
b) 4–5 cm
c) 5–6 cm (correct answer)
d) 6–7 cm
Rationale: Effective adult chest compressions require a depth of 5–6 cm to
generate adequate circulation.
Q3: Which of the following is the correct sequence for adult BLS?
a) Airway → Breathing → Circulation
b) Circulation → Airway → Breathing (CAB) (correct answer)
c) Breathing → Circulation → Airway
,d) Airway → Circulation → Breathing
Rationale: AHA recommends CAB sequence for adults to prioritize circulation.
Q4: How often should rescuers switch roles during 2-rescuer CPR?
a) Every 1 minute
b) Every 2 minutes
c) Every 2 minutes or sooner if fatigued (correct answer)
d) Every 5 minutes
Rationale: Switching every 2 minutes prevents rescuer fatigue and maintains
compression quality.
Q5: What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for single rescuer adult CPR?
a) 10:2
b) 30:2 (correct answer)
c) 15:2
d) 5:1
Rationale: Single-rescuer CPR uses a 30:2 ratio for effective circulation and
oxygenation.
Q6: When using an AED on an adult, what is the first step?
a) Deliver a shock immediately
b) Turn on the AED and follow prompts (correct answer)
c) Check for pulse
d) Begin compressions before AED
Rationale: AED must be turned on and pads applied; device prompts guide
timing of shock delivery.
Q7: During CPR, what should rescuers do if an adult has a pulse but is not breathing?
a) Perform full CPR
,b) Give rescue breaths only (1 breath every 5–6 sec) (correct answer)
c) Start chest compressions only
d) Wait for EMS
Rationale: Rescue breathing supports oxygenation when circulation is present.
Q8: For a child, what is the recommended compression depth?
a) 2–3 cm
b) Approximately 5 cm (1/3 of chest depth) (correct answer)
c) 6–7 cm
d) 1–2 cm
Rationale: Child compressions should be about 1/3 of the chest depth (~5 cm) to
circulate blood effectively.
Q9: What is the recommended compression rate for infants?
a) 60–80/min
b) 80–100/min
c) 100–120/min (correct answer)
d) 120–140/min
Rationale: AHA 2025 guidelines recommend the same 100–120
compressions/min for infants.
Q10: During CPR, how should hands be positioned for an adult?
a) On the upper chest
b) On the center of the chest, lower half of the sternum (correct answer)
c) On the side of the chest
d) On the abdomen
Rationale: Proper hand placement on the lower half of the sternum maximizes
compression effectiveness and reduces injury risk.
, Q11: When is it appropriate to stop CPR?
a) Only when AED says to
b) Only when EMS arrives
c) Only when the patient moves
d) All of the above (correct answer)
Rationale: CPR continues until the patient shows signs of life, EMS arrives, or a
trained rescuer takes over.
Q12: For a choking adult who becomes unresponsive, what is the next step?
a) Give abdominal thrusts
b) Start CPR (correct answer)
c) Encourage coughing
d) Wait for EMS
Rationale: If the person becomes unresponsive, CPR is initiated to attempt to
relieve airway obstruction and maintain circulation.
Q13: How many rescue breaths should be given per cycle in 2-rescuer CPR for
adults?
a) 1
b) 2 (correct answer)
c) 3
d) 4
Rationale: 2 breaths after 30 compressions is recommended to maintain
oxygenation.
Q14: What is the recommended rate of ventilations for a patient with an advanced
airway during CPR?
a) 10–12/min (correct answer)
b) 8–10/min
c) 15–20/min
Questions and Answers with Rationales American
Heart Association (AHA)\ Instant Download
Q1: What is the recommended compression rate for adult CPR according to AHA
2025 guidelines?
a) 80–100 compressions/min
b) 100–120 compressions/min (correct answer)
c) 120–140 compressions/min
d) 60–80 compressions/min
Rationale: The AHA 2025 guidelines recommend 100–120 compressions per
minute for effective CPR.
Q2: During BLS, what is the recommended compression depth for adults?
a) 3–4 cm
b) 4–5 cm
c) 5–6 cm (correct answer)
d) 6–7 cm
Rationale: Effective adult chest compressions require a depth of 5–6 cm to
generate adequate circulation.
Q3: Which of the following is the correct sequence for adult BLS?
a) Airway → Breathing → Circulation
b) Circulation → Airway → Breathing (CAB) (correct answer)
c) Breathing → Circulation → Airway
,d) Airway → Circulation → Breathing
Rationale: AHA recommends CAB sequence for adults to prioritize circulation.
Q4: How often should rescuers switch roles during 2-rescuer CPR?
a) Every 1 minute
b) Every 2 minutes
c) Every 2 minutes or sooner if fatigued (correct answer)
d) Every 5 minutes
Rationale: Switching every 2 minutes prevents rescuer fatigue and maintains
compression quality.
Q5: What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for single rescuer adult CPR?
a) 10:2
b) 30:2 (correct answer)
c) 15:2
d) 5:1
Rationale: Single-rescuer CPR uses a 30:2 ratio for effective circulation and
oxygenation.
Q6: When using an AED on an adult, what is the first step?
a) Deliver a shock immediately
b) Turn on the AED and follow prompts (correct answer)
c) Check for pulse
d) Begin compressions before AED
Rationale: AED must be turned on and pads applied; device prompts guide
timing of shock delivery.
Q7: During CPR, what should rescuers do if an adult has a pulse but is not breathing?
a) Perform full CPR
,b) Give rescue breaths only (1 breath every 5–6 sec) (correct answer)
c) Start chest compressions only
d) Wait for EMS
Rationale: Rescue breathing supports oxygenation when circulation is present.
Q8: For a child, what is the recommended compression depth?
a) 2–3 cm
b) Approximately 5 cm (1/3 of chest depth) (correct answer)
c) 6–7 cm
d) 1–2 cm
Rationale: Child compressions should be about 1/3 of the chest depth (~5 cm) to
circulate blood effectively.
Q9: What is the recommended compression rate for infants?
a) 60–80/min
b) 80–100/min
c) 100–120/min (correct answer)
d) 120–140/min
Rationale: AHA 2025 guidelines recommend the same 100–120
compressions/min for infants.
Q10: During CPR, how should hands be positioned for an adult?
a) On the upper chest
b) On the center of the chest, lower half of the sternum (correct answer)
c) On the side of the chest
d) On the abdomen
Rationale: Proper hand placement on the lower half of the sternum maximizes
compression effectiveness and reduces injury risk.
, Q11: When is it appropriate to stop CPR?
a) Only when AED says to
b) Only when EMS arrives
c) Only when the patient moves
d) All of the above (correct answer)
Rationale: CPR continues until the patient shows signs of life, EMS arrives, or a
trained rescuer takes over.
Q12: For a choking adult who becomes unresponsive, what is the next step?
a) Give abdominal thrusts
b) Start CPR (correct answer)
c) Encourage coughing
d) Wait for EMS
Rationale: If the person becomes unresponsive, CPR is initiated to attempt to
relieve airway obstruction and maintain circulation.
Q13: How many rescue breaths should be given per cycle in 2-rescuer CPR for
adults?
a) 1
b) 2 (correct answer)
c) 3
d) 4
Rationale: 2 breaths after 30 compressions is recommended to maintain
oxygenation.
Q14: What is the recommended rate of ventilations for a patient with an advanced
airway during CPR?
a) 10–12/min (correct answer)
b) 8–10/min
c) 15–20/min
