BLS
Practice Test
Learn BLS protocols and CPR skills with realistic scenario questions. Prepare for your certification renewal or first-time exam with confidence.
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BLS exam — full Q&A walkthrough
Every question read aloud with the answer explained. Play it on your commute, then test yourself.
30 free BLS questions
Sampled across every topic area — not just the first page. Try them as a quiz or flip them as flashcards.
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Basic Life Support (BLS)
You arrive at a scene where a person is lying motionless on the floor. What is the FIRST action you should take before approaching?
Correct — D. Scene safety is the first priority in any emergency response — a rescuer who becomes a victim cannot help anyone, so you must ensure the environment is safe before approaching. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
When performing adult CPR as a lone rescuer, what is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio?
Correct — C. The AHA BLS standard for a lone rescuer performing adult CPR is 30 compressions followed by 2 ventilations, regardless of whether an advanced airway is in place. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
A colleague collapses at work. After confirming the scene is safe, you tap the person's shoulders firmly and shout. There is no response. What should you do NEXT?
Correct — C. After confirming unresponsiveness, the AHA BLS protocol directs you to simultaneously check for breathing and a carotid pulse for no more than 10 seconds before deciding on the next action. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
During adult CPR, your partner notes that the patient's chest is not fully returning to its resting position between compressions. What is the MOST likely consequence of this finding?
Correct — C. Incomplete chest recoil (leaning on the chest) elevates intrathoracic pressure and impairs venous return, which decreases cardiac output and reduces the effectiveness of CPR. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
You are performing solo CPR on an adult. After your first set of 30 compressions, you deliver 2 rescue breaths, each taking about 1 second. Approximately how long should both rescue breaths take in total before you resume compressions?
Correct — A. Each breath should be delivered over 1 second with visible chest rise, meaning both breaths together take approximately 2 seconds, minimizing interruptions to compressions. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
A bystander CPR team has been performing compressions for nearly 2 minutes. According to AHA BLS guidelines, what should they do at this point regarding the compressor role?
Correct — D. The AHA recommends switching compressors approximately every 2 minutes (or every 5 cycles of 30:2) because rescuer fatigue quickly degrades compression depth and rate, reducing CPR quality. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
While checking a collapsed adult, you observe slow, irregular, gasping breaths occurring about every 8 seconds. How should you interpret this finding?
Correct — C. Agonal respirations are ineffective, irregular gasps that occur shortly after cardiac arrest and should not be mistaken for normal breathing; the AHA treats agonal breathing as absent breathing, requiring immediate CPR. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
During adult CPR you are pressing down approximately 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) on each compression. Why is this a concern?
Correct — D. AHA BLS guidelines require adult compression depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm) because shallower compressions are associated with inadequate perfusion pressure and reduced survival rates. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
At which point in the adult in-hospital Chain of Survival does CPR fit MOST directly?
Correct — B. The in-hospital adult Chain of Survival includes surveillance and prevention, recognition and activation of the emergency response system, high-quality CPR, defibrillation, and post-cardiac-arrest care — CPR is the third link. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
You are performing compressions on an adult at a rate you estimate to be around 110/min. A metronome app reads 125/min. Which statement about your actual rate is correct?
Correct — C. The AHA BLS target compression rate is 100–120/min; exceeding 120/min is associated with inadequate compression depth and reduced diastolic filling time, so the rate should be corrected downward. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
An advanced airway (supraglottic device) has been placed in an adult cardiac arrest patient. Two rescuers are now providing CPR. How should compressions and ventilations be coordinated?
Correct — A. Once an advanced airway is in place, AHA BLS guidelines instruct rescuers to perform continuous compressions at 100–120/min while the ventilating rescuer delivers one breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths/min), eliminating compression pauses for ventilation. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
You are the only healthcare provider present when an adult collapses. You check the carotid pulse for 8 seconds and feel a weak, slow pulse (about 40/min) with no breathing. What is the CORRECT next action?
Correct — B. For an adult who has a palpable pulse but is not breathing adequately, AHA BLS guidelines direct the rescuer to deliver rescue breaths (1 breath every 5–6 seconds, about 10–12/min) and reassess the pulse approximately every 2 minutes — full CPR is not indicated when a pulse is present. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
During a resuscitation attempt, a team member suggests pausing compressions for 20 seconds to reassess rhythm on the monitor. According to AHA BLS high-quality CPR principles, what is the MAXIMUM acceptable hands-off interval during CPR?
Correct — D. The AHA specifies that CPR interruptions (hands-off intervals) should be kept to less than 10 seconds to maintain perfusion pressure; a 20-second pause is inconsistent with high-quality CPR and would significantly decrease coronary and cerebral perfusion. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
A compression depth feedback device alerts that the provider is compressing to 2.6 inches (6.6 cm) on each compression. What concern does this raise?
Correct — A. AHA BLS guidelines state adult compression depth should be at least 2 inches (5 cm) but caution against excessive depth beyond approximately 2.4 inches (6 cm), as greater depth is associated with injury (e.g., rib fractures, liver lacerations) without improving survival. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
You witness a cardiac arrest in a hospital lobby. You begin CPR and direct a bystander to retrieve the AED. The AED arrives. What is the correct sequence once the AED is turned on and pads are placed?
Correct — B. The AHA BLS protocol requires pausing compressions for AED rhythm analysis (to avoid artifact), ensuring no one touches the patient before shock delivery, then immediately resuming CPR beginning with compressions right after the shock — the post-shock pause should be less than 10 seconds. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
Two healthcare providers are resuscitating an adult. Provider A has been compressing for 1 minute and 50 seconds. An AED is currently analyzing the rhythm (compressions paused). When should Provider B take over compressions?
Correct — A. Because the natural break in compressions during AED analysis provides the ideal switchover moment and Provider A has already performed nearly 2 minutes of compressions, the AHA recommends switching at this pause so the next CPR cycle immediately begins with a fresh, high-quality compressor. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
When you turn on an AED and attach the pads to a victim, what should you do immediately after the AED announces 'analyzing rhythm'?
Correct — A. Everyone must stop touching the victim during AED rhythm analysis to prevent motion artifact from corrupting the reading and producing an inaccurate result. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
For an average adult victim, where should the AED pads be placed?
Correct — D. The standard AED pad placement is one pad on the upper right chest (below the right clavicle) and one pad on the lower left lateral chest wall (below the left axilla), forming a pathway across the heart. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
A 7-year-old child is in cardiac arrest and you have access only to an adult AED without pediatric pads or a dose attenuator. What is the correct action?
Correct — B. When pediatric pads or a dose-attenuating key are unavailable for a child aged 1–8 years, AHA guidelines state it is acceptable to use adult pads, repositioning them in an anterior-posterior configuration to prevent pad contact. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
The AED has delivered a shock to a pulseless victim. What is the FIRST action the rescuer should take immediately after shock delivery?
Correct — D. Per AHA BLS guidelines, rescuers should immediately resume CPR starting with chest compressions right after shock delivery without pausing for a pulse check, minimizing the post-shock pause. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
You are preparing to deliver an AED shock when a bystander suddenly grabs the victim's hand. What is the safety priority?
Correct — D. Before pressing the shock button, the rescuer must announce a clear warning, visually verify that no bystanders are in contact with the victim, and ensure no one is touching any part of the victim or anything connected to the victim. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
A victim is lying on a wet pool deck. An AED is available. Which statement BEST describes the correct course of action?
Correct — D. AHA guidelines instruct rescuers to remove a victim from standing water and wipe the chest dry before applying AED pads, because water on the skin can conduct electricity between pads and cause a burn or reduce shock efficacy. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
Which of the following rhythms is classified as shockable and would prompt the AED to advise a shock?
Correct — D. The two shockable arrest rhythms recognized by AHA are ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia; PEA and asystole are non-shockable and require continued CPR. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
An AED analyzes and announces 'No shock advised.' The victim still has no pulse. What should the rescuer do?
Correct — C. A 'no shock advised' message indicates a non-shockable rhythm such as asystole or PEA; rescuers must immediately resume high-quality CPR and allow the AED to re-analyze after the next 2-minute CPR cycle. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
A victim has an implanted pacemaker visible as a bulge in the upper left chest. Where should the rescuer place the AED pad on the left side?
Correct — D. AHA guidelines state that AED pads should be placed at least 1 inch away from an implanted device to avoid shunting current through the device and to ensure effective shock delivery. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
A victim has a transdermal nitroglycerin patch on the upper left chest where an AED pad must be placed. What is the correct action?
Correct — B. Medication patches should be removed and the skin wiped before pad placement because patches can block the electrical current and may cause skin burns during defibrillation. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
During a 2-rescuer AED scenario, Rescuer 1 is performing CPR while Rescuer 2 sets up the AED. At what point should Rescuer 1 stop compressions?
Correct — C. CPR should continue uninterrupted until the AED pads are fully attached and the device initiates analysis, at which point rescuers stop touching the victim only for the brief analysis and shock delivery interval. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
A victim goes into cardiac arrest and an AED is brought to the scene. A bystander is already performing CPR. In what order should the team proceed?
Correct — C. AHA guidelines emphasize minimizing interruptions to chest compressions; CPR should continue while the second rescuer attaches the AED pads, pausing only during the brief analysis and shock delivery. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
Approximately how long should the pre-shock pause (from stopping compressions to shock delivery) ideally be kept to optimize the chance of successful defibrillation?
Correct — A. AHA and ECC evidence indicates that minimizing the pre-shock pause to less than 5 seconds maximizes the likelihood of shock success because myocardial perfusion from compressions degrades rapidly once CPR stops. -
Basic Life Support (BLS)
An AED is available for an infant victim under 1 year of age. No manual defibrillator is present. Which statement reflects AHA BLS guidance?
Correct — B. AHA guidelines state the preference order for infants is a manual defibrillator, then an AED with a dose-attenuating system, and finally an adult AED if no other option exists, because early defibrillation is preferable to no defibrillation.
BLS sample questions
Tap any question below to reveal the answer and a plain-English explanation.
Basic Life Support (BLS) After a shock is delivered and 2 minutes of CPR are completed, the AED re-analyzes and advises a second shock. Between the first and second shocks, approximately how long should have elapsed?
A. About 2 minutes, representing one full CPR cycle between shocks ✓
B. About 5 minutes, to allow full myocardial reperfusion
C. About 30 seconds, to allow the heart time to recover
D. Immediately after the first shock if the first was ineffective
Correct — A. AHA BLS protocol calls for approximately 2 minutes of high-quality CPR between AED analyses and shocks, matching the standard compressor-switch interval and ensuring adequate coronary perfusion between defibrillation attempts.
Real Exam Practice Which of the following is not immediately a life-threatening event?
A. Cardiac arrest
B. Heart attack ✓
C. Respiratory arrest
D. Airway obstruction
Correct — B. That's the right answer.
Basic Life Support (BLS) When performing chest compressions on an infant, how deep should each compression be?
A. At least 2 inches (5 cm)
B. At least 2.4 inches (6 cm)
C. At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
D. At least 1.5 inches (approximately 4 cm) ✓
Correct — D. AHA BLS guidelines specify infant chest compressions should be at least 1.5 inches (approximately 4 cm), which is approximately one-third the anterior-posterior diameter of the infant's chest.
Real Exam Practice Which of the following groups of individuals can administer Basic Life Support?
A. Physicians
B. Emergency Medical Responders
C. Trained observers
D. All of the above ✓
Correct — D. That's the right answer.
Basic Life Support (BLS) A lone rescuer finds an unresponsive 8-month-old infant with no pulse. What compression-to-ventilation ratio should the rescuer use?
A. 15:2
B. 30:1
C. 30:2 ✓
D. 15:1
Correct — C. A single rescuer performing CPR on an infant or child uses a 30:2 ratio, the same as for adults; the 15:2 ratio applies only when two or more trained rescuers are present.
Real Exam Practice Which of the following organs is irreversibly affected if CPR is delayed beyond three minutes?
A. Kidney
B. Liver
C. Brain ✓
D. Lungs
Correct — C. That's the right answer.
Basic Life Support (BLS) For a child victim (age 1 year to puberty), chest compressions should achieve a depth of at least:
A. 2.4 inches (6 cm)
B. 2 inches (5 cm) ✓
C. 1.5 inches (4 cm)
D. 1 inch (2.5 cm)
Correct — B. AHA BLS guidelines state child chest compressions should be at least 2 inches (5 cm) deep, matching the lower bound for adults, and should not exceed 2.4 inches (6 cm).
Real Exam Practice What is the minimum depth of a chest compression?
A. 2 cm
B. 4 cm
C. 5 cm ✓
D. 6 cm
Correct — C. That's the right answer.
About the BLS test
Study with original practice questions written for this app from publicly available official material. Every question has a clear explanation.
What you get
- Coverage of adult high-quality CPR, AED and defibrillation, child and infant CPR, airway and ventilation, team dynamics and special situations, and relief of choking.
- A clear explanation for every question.
- Timed practice tests that mirror the real exam style.
Original & safe
Every question is written for this app from public study material. Nothing is copied from any real exam, test pool or third-party question bank.
You will be tested on
- Safe and effective care environment
- Health promotion and maintenance
- Psychosocial and physiological integrity
- Pharmacology, infection control and patient safety
How TheoryPractice helps you pass
- Real exam-style questions with instant, detailed explanations
- Full timed mock exams that mirror the real test format
- Flashcards & quiz modes from the same question bank
- Progress tracking so you know exactly when you're ready
Topics in this question bank
Safe and effective care environment
Health promotion and maintenance
Psychosocial and physiological integrity
Pharmacology, infection control and patient safety
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