AHA BLS Provider (Basic Life Support)

What is the recommended chest compression rate for high-quality CPR in an adult?

• A100 to 120 per minute
• B60 to 80 per minute
• C80 to 100 per minute
• D120 to 140 per minute

What is the recommended chest compression depth for an average adult?

• AAt least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
• BAt least 2 inches (5 cm) but not more than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
• CAt least 3 inches (7.5 cm)
• DExactly 1.5 inches (4 cm)

What compression-to-ventilation ratio should a single rescuer use for an adult in cardiac arrest?

• A15:2
• B5:1
• C30:2
• D10:2

Why is allowing full chest recoil between compressions important?

• AIt reduces rescuer fatigue only
• BIt is only important for infants
• CIt prevents rib fractures
• DIt allows the heart to refill with blood, improving the next compression's output

What is the maximum recommended time to pause compressions for interventions such as rhythm analysis or ventilation?

• ALess than 10 seconds
• BUp to 30 seconds
• CUp to 1 minute
• DPauses do not matter

What chest compression fraction (CCF) should rescue teams target during resuscitation?

• AAt least 20%
• BAt least 60%, ideally 80% or higher
• CAt least 40%
• DExactly 50%

Where should you place your hands to perform chest compressions on an adult?

• AOn the upper sternum near the clavicles
• BOver the xiphoid process
• COn the lower half of the sternum, in the center of the chest
• DOn the left side of the chest over the heart

How often should rescuers switch the compressor role to maintain high-quality compressions?

• AEvery 30 seconds
• BOnly when the compressor is exhausted
• CEvery 10 minutes
• DAbout every 2 minutes (or every 5 cycles of 30:2)

What is the first action a lone rescuer should take upon finding an unresponsive adult who is not breathing normally in an out-of-hospital setting?

• AActivate emergency response and get an AED, then start CPR
• BBegin rescue breaths immediately
• CCheck the pulse for 60 seconds
• DPerform abdominal thrusts

How long should a healthcare provider take to check for a pulse and breathing simultaneously in an adult?

• A30 seconds
• BNo more than 10 seconds
• C60 seconds
• DUntil a pulse is clearly felt

During CPR with no advanced airway in place, what should the rescuer do after every 30 compressions?

• ACheck the pulse
• BDefibrillate
• CGive 2 breaths
• DReposition the patient

What is a key sign that chest compressions are adequate when feasible to monitor?

• AThe patient opens their eyes
• BCompressions feel easy to perform
• CThe chest does not move
• DPalpable pulse with each compression and end-tidal CO2 trending appropriately

What should a rescuer do if they are unwilling or unable to give rescue breaths to an adult in cardiac arrest?

• AProvide continuous chest compressions (Hands-Only CPR)
• BDo nothing and wait for EMS
• CGive breaths only
• DPerform back blows

What surface is best for performing effective chest compressions?

• AA soft mattress
• BA firm, flat surface
• CAn inclined surface
• DAny surface works equally well

In high-quality CPR, what does the term 'minimize interruptions' primarily protect?

• ARescuer comfort
• BAED battery life
• CCoronary and cerebral perfusion pressure
• DDocumentation accuracy

When two rescuers perform adult CPR with a bag-mask device, what compression-to-ventilation ratio is used before an advanced airway is placed?

• A15:2
• BContinuous compressions with asynchronous breaths
• C10:1
• D30:2

What is the consequence of compressing the chest faster than 120 times per minute?

• AReduced compression depth and incomplete recoil
• BImproved coronary perfusion
• CNo effect on outcomes
• DFaster return of spontaneous circulation

What is 'leaning' during CPR and why is it harmful?

• ALeaning the patient onto their side
• BResting hands on the chest between compressions, which prevents full recoil
• CTilting the head too far back
• DPressing too deeply on the abdomen

When a CPR feedback device indicates compressions are too shallow, what should the rescuer do?

• ASlow the rate down
• BStop compressions to rest
• CIncrease compression depth to at least 2 inches
• DSwitch to ventilations only

Why should rescuers avoid excessive ventilation volume and rate during CPR?

• AIt improves cardiac output
• BIt has no physiologic effect
• CIt speeds up defibrillation
• DIt increases intrathoracic pressure, decreasing venous return and cardiac output

What is the recommended approach to recognizing cardiac arrest in an adult who is unresponsive?

• ATreat as cardiac arrest if unresponsive with no normal breathing (only gasping counts as…
• BWait until breathing fully stops for 2 minutes
• CRequire an absent pulse confirmed twice
• DOnly act if the collapse was witnessed

What is the correct body position for a rescuer performing chest compressions?

• AArms bent, leaning to the side
• BShoulders directly over the hands with arms straight, using body weight
• CKneeling far from the patient with arms extended fully forward
• DStanding with one foot on a chair

During adult CPR, what should happen during the brief pause when switching compressors?

• ATake as long as needed to get comfortable
• BStop ventilations permanently
• CLimit the switch to less than 10 seconds, ideally during rhythm or AED analysis
• DRestart the entire assessment

Which statement best describes high-quality CPR?

• AFast compressions only, no recoil needed
• BDeep slow compressions with long pauses
• CVentilation prioritized over compressions in adults
• DAdequate rate and depth, full recoil, minimal interruptions, and avoiding excessive venti…

If an adult patient has an advanced airway in place, how should compressions and ventilations be delivered?

• AContinuous compressions at 100–120/min with 1 breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths/min)
• BContinue 30:2 cycles
• CPause compressions for each breath
• DGive 20 breaths per minute

What compression-to-ventilation ratio should a single rescuer use for a child (age 1 year to puberty) in cardiac arrest?

• A15:2
• B30:2
• C5:1
• D3:1

What compression-to-ventilation ratio should two rescuers use for an infant in cardiac arrest?

• A30:2
• B5:1
• C15:2
• D1:1

What is the recommended compression depth for a child (age 1 year to puberty)?

• AAt least 1 inch
• BAt least 3 inches
• CExactly 1.5 inches
• DAt least one-third the depth of the chest, about 2 inches (5 cm)

What is the recommended compression depth for an infant (under 1 year, excluding newborns)?

• AAt least one-third the depth of the chest, about 1.5 inches (4 cm)
• BAt least 2 inches (5 cm)
• CAt least 3 inches
• DExactly 1 cm

What technique should a single rescuer use for infant chest compressions?

• AThe heel of one hand or two thumbs encircling the chest, on the lower half of the sternum
• BTwo-finger technique just below the nipple line
• CTwo hands stacked as for an adult
• DOne closed fist on the sternum

Two rescuers are giving CPR to an infant, and the compressor can encircle the infant's chest with both hands. Which compression technique fits the 2025 AHA guidelines?

• ATwo-finger technique
• BTwo stacked hands as for an adult
• CTwo-thumb encircling-hands technique
• DA closed fist on the sternum

Where do you assess the pulse on an infant?

• ACarotid artery
• BRadial artery
• CPedal pulse
• DFemoral or brachial artery

Where do you assess the pulse on a child (age 1 year to puberty)?

• ACarotid or femoral artery
• BBrachial artery only
• CRadial artery only
• DPedal pulse

When should you start chest compressions on an infant or child who has a pulse?

• ANever if a pulse is present
• BIf the heart rate is less than 60/min with signs of poor perfusion despite adequate oxyge…
• COnly if the pulse is over 100/min
• DOnly after 5 minutes of rescue breathing

For a lone rescuer who witnesses a sudden collapse of a child, what is the recommended sequence?

• AGive 2 minutes of CPR before activating EMS
• BOnly check for a pulse and wait
• CActivate emergency response and get an AED first, then begin CPR
• DPerform abdominal thrusts

For a lone rescuer with an unwitnessed pediatric arrest and no phone available, what is recommended?

• ALeave immediately to call for help
• BOnly perform rescue breaths
• CWait for the child to recover
• DProvide about 2 minutes of CPR, then activate emergency response