BLS Practice Test: Video 2 Answers (25 Questions) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which communication technique helps prevent errors during a stressful resuscitation?

Repeating back orders to confirm understanding (Correct answer)
Using medical jargon to communicate quickly
Limiting verbal communication to reduce noise
Assuming team members understand unspoken expectations

Correct answer: Repeating back orders to confirm understanding

Read-back (closed-loop) confirmation ensures the message received matches the message sent, reducing the chance of error under stress.

Question 2: What should a team member do if they notice an error in another member’s actions?

Wait for the team leader to notice
Correct it immediately using respectful communication (Correct answer)
Report it after the event
Ignore it

Correct answer: Correct it immediately using respectful communication

In a high-stakes environment like BLS, immediate correction of errors is crucial for patient safety. Delaying correction can lead to adverse outcomes or worsen the patient's condition. It is essential to address errors respectfully and constructively, fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement within the team without causing unnecessary conflict.

Question 3: Which of the following is an example of a clear role assignment?

You get the AED and apply the pads (Correct answer)
I’ll do compressions unless someone else wants to
Everyone checks the pulse
Let's all help however we can

Correct answer: You get the AED and apply the pads

A clear role assignment specifies exactly who is responsible for what task, eliminating ambiguity and ensuring efficient action. The command 'You get the AED and apply the pads' directly assigns a specific person to a specific, actionable task. This direct approach ensures tasks are completed promptly and prevents confusion or missed steps during an emergency.

Question 4: Which of the following is a key element of closed-loop communication?

Ignoring unclear instructions
Repeating back the instruction (Correct answer)
Only using gestures
Waiting silently for new instructions

Correct answer: Repeating back the instruction

Closed-loop communication is essential in emergency situations like BLS to prevent misunderstandings and errors. By repeating back the instruction, the receiver confirms they heard and understood the message correctly. This allows the sender to verify accuracy, ensuring critical tasks are performed as intended and enhancing team coordination and patient safety.

Question 5: What is the benefit of debriefing after a resuscitation attempt?

Identifies training gaps and improves performance (Correct answer)
Avoids responsibility
Reduces documentation time
Shortens shift duration

Correct answer: Identifies training gaps and improves performance

Debriefing after a resuscitation attempt is a critical learning opportunity for the entire team. It allows members to reflect on what went well, identify areas for improvement, and address any training gaps or systemic issues. This process enhances future performance, improves team dynamics, and ultimately leads to better patient outcomes by fostering continuous learning.

Question 6: After recognizing cardiac arrest in an adult, what is the recommended ratio of compressions to ventilations for a two-rescuer BLS team?

15:1
30:1
15:2
30:2 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 30:2

The standard BLS compression-to-ventilation ratio for adult cardiac arrest (with or without an advanced airway) is 30:2 for a two-rescuer team without an advanced airway.

Question 7: Which of the following rescuer actions is most likely to decrease CPR quality?

Allowing full chest recoil between compressions
Keeping elbows locked during compressions
Compressing at a rate of 110/min
Leaning on the chest between compressions (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Leaning on the chest between compressions

Leaning on the chest prevents full recoil, reducing venous return and cardiac filling — directly degrading CPR quality.

Question 8: Which finding would MOST strongly confirm that a victim is in cardiac arrest rather than unconscious from another cause?

Dilated pupils
Unresponsiveness to verbal stimulation
Absence of normal breathing and no detectable pulse (Correct answer)
Pale or bluish skin color

Correct answer: Absence of normal breathing and no detectable pulse

The definitive signs of cardiac arrest are unresponsiveness combined with absence of normal breathing and absence of a detectable pulse.

Question 9: What is agonal breathing?

Breathing with wheezing
Hyperventilation due to anxiety
Gasping, irregular breaths during cardiac arrest (Correct answer)
Normal respiratory effort

Correct answer: Gasping, irregular breaths during cardiac arrest

Agonal breathing refers to ineffective, gasping, or irregular breaths that can occur in the initial minutes of cardiac arrest. It is not normal breathing and indicates a severe medical emergency requiring immediate intervention. Recognizing agonal breathing as a sign of cardiac arrest is crucial for initiating timely BLS and improving patient outcomes.

Question 10: A gym member collapses suddenly. A bystander says they saw him 'go down hard' while lifting weights. The MOST likely cause of his cardiac arrest is:

Hypoglycemia
Stroke
Sudden cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation (Correct answer)
Pulmonary embolism

Correct answer: Sudden cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation

Sudden collapse during exertion in an adult is most commonly caused by sudden cardiac arrest, often triggered by ventricular fibrillation related to underlying coronary artery disease or structural heart disease.

Question 11: Which Chain of Survival link is most often performed by bystanders before EMS arrives?

Post-cardiac arrest care
Advanced life support
Rapid defibrillation
Early CPR (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Early CPR

Bystanders are typically the first on scene and can begin CPR before EMS or AED resources arrive.

Question 12: Which action best strengthens the 'early CPR' link in a community setting?

Expanding ICU post-arrest care capacity
Reducing ambulance response time targets
Placing more AEDs in hospitals only
Training more community members in CPR (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Training more community members in CPR

Widespread CPR training increases the pool of bystanders who can immediately begin compressions before EMS arrives.

Question 13: What does post-cardiac arrest care aim to achieve?

Start CPR
Administer AED
Prevent further cardiac arrests (Correct answer)
Identify the victim

Correct answer: Prevent further cardiac arrests

Post-cardiac arrest care focuses on optimizing the patient's recovery and preventing future cardiac events. This involves managing the patient's temperature, blood pressure, and oxygenation, as well as identifying and treating the underlying cause of the cardiac arrest. The ultimate goal is to improve long-term neurological outcomes and overall survival by addressing the root issues.

Question 14: A rescuer finds a victim unresponsive and not breathing normally. After calling 911, what is the NEXT priority according to the Chain of Survival?

Check for a pulse for up to 2 minutes
Search for an AED before doing anything else
Wait for EMS to arrive before starting CPR
Begin high-quality CPR immediately (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Begin high-quality CPR immediately

After activating EMS, the rescuer should immediately begin CPR to maintain circulation until an AED is available.

Question 15: Which of the following scenarios represents a WEAK link in the Chain of Survival?

A hospital has a dedicated post-arrest care protocol
EMS arrives within 4 minutes of the 911 call
A community has widespread CPR training and AED placement
An AED is available but no bystander knows how to use it (Correct answer)

Correct answer: An AED is available but no bystander knows how to use it

An AED that is present but not used represents a failure of the rapid defibrillation link, leaving a critical gap in the chain.

Question 16: How long should each rescue breath be delivered during CPR?

Less than 0.5 seconds
About 1 second (Correct answer)
2–3 seconds
4–5 seconds

Correct answer: About 1 second

Each breath should be given over about 1 second, which is enough to produce chest rise without causing excessive gastric inflation.

Question 17: In BLS, what is the appropriate volume of air delivered with each ventilation?

As much as the bag allows
Just enough to cause chest rise (Correct answer)
Twice the normal breath volume
1 full breath in 1 second

Correct answer: Just enough to cause chest rise

In BLS, the appropriate volume of air delivered with each ventilation is just enough to cause visible chest rise over about 1 second. Over-ventilation (delivering too much air or too quickly) can lead to gastric inflation, vomiting, and increased intrathoracic pressure, which can impede venous return to the heart and reduce the effectiveness of chest compressions.

Question 18: When performing mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing on an adult, how do you prevent air from escaping through the nose?

Pinch the patient's nose shut with your fingers (Correct answer)
Tilt the head further back
Seal your lips tightly over the patient's entire face
Cover the patient's nose with your hand

Correct answer: Pinch the patient's nose shut with your fingers

The rescuer pinches the patient's nose shut to prevent air from escaping during mouth-to-mouth ventilation.

Question 19: When performing rescue breathing for an infant, what is the correct mouth-to-airway technique?

Mouth-to-nose only
Mouth-to-mouth only, pinching the nose shut
Using a standard adult pocket mask
Mouth covering both the mouth and nose of the infant (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Mouth covering both the mouth and nose of the infant

For infants, the rescuer covers both the mouth and nose with their mouth, because the infant's face is small enough to allow a complete seal over both openings.

Question 20: During CPR on an adult with an advanced airway in place, what is the recommended ventilation rate?

1 breath every 2–3 seconds (20–30/min)
1 breath every 6 seconds (10/min) (Correct answer)
1 breath every 3 seconds (20/min)
2 breaths every 30 compressions

Correct answer: 1 breath every 6 seconds (10/min)

Once an advanced airway is in place during adult CPR, ventilations are delivered at 1 breath every 6 seconds (10/min) without pausing compressions.

Question 21: What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for a lone rescuer performing CPR on a child?

15:1
5:1
30:2 (Correct answer)
15:2

Correct answer: 30:2

A lone rescuer uses 30:2 for children, the same ratio as for adults, to simplify training.

Question 22: A rescuer notices they are delivering rescue breaths too quickly. What is the most likely consequence?

Gastric inflation and risk of aspiration (Correct answer)
Deeper chest compressions
Faster return of spontaneous circulation
Increased oxygen delivery to the lungs

Correct answer: Gastric inflation and risk of aspiration

Breaths delivered too quickly or forcefully cause air to enter the stomach, leading to gastric inflation and risk of vomiting and aspiration.

Question 23: When performing two-rescuer infant CPR, which compression technique is preferred?

Heel-of-hand technique
Two-finger technique below the nipple line
Two thumb-encircling hands technique (Correct answer)
One-hand technique with the other hand supporting the back

Correct answer: Two thumb-encircling hands technique

The two thumb-encircling hands technique is preferred for two-rescuer infant CPR because it generates higher coronary perfusion pressure.

Question 24: When performing CPR on an adult, what is the correct hand placement for chest compressions?

Two finger-widths below the collarbone
On the left side of the chest over the heart
On the lower half of the sternum (Correct answer)
On the upper half of the sternum

Correct answer: On the lower half of the sternum

Compressions should be delivered to the lower half of the sternum (breastbone) to effectively compress the heart.

Question 25: How often should rescuers switch roles during two-rescuer CPR?

Every 5 minutes
Every 1 minute
Only when exhausted
Every 2 minutes (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Every 2 minutes

During two-rescuer CPR, rescuers should switch roles (compressor and ventilating rescuer) approximately every 2 minutes, or after 5 cycles of 30:2 compressions and breaths. This regular rotation helps prevent rescuer fatigue, ensuring that high-quality chest compressions are maintained without significant interruptions, which is vital for patient survival.

BLS Practice Test: Video 2 Answers (25 Questions)

Which communication technique helps prevent errors during a stressful resuscitation?

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Sources & references

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redcross.org — Renewal, test delivery, fees, score validity · verified Oct 2026
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