BLS Practice Test: Video 5 Answers (25 Questions) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Supplemental oxygen provided during rescue breathing should ideally deliver what fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂)?

40–50% via simple face mask
Close to 100% (high-flow oxygen) (Correct answer)
21% (room air is adequate)
28% via nasal cannula

Correct answer: Close to 100% (high-flow oxygen)

High-flow oxygen maximizes oxygen delivery to hypoxic tissues during resuscitation.

Question 2: An infant is found unresponsive with no breathing but has a pulse above 60/min. What is the correct next step?

Administer epinephrine and await EMS
Begin CPR with 15 compressions and 2 breaths
Begin CPR with 30 compressions and 2 breaths
Provide rescue breaths at 1 every 2–3 seconds (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Provide rescue breaths at 1 every 2–3 seconds

Infants with a pulse >60/min and absent breathing need rescue breathing only, at 20–30 breaths/min.

Question 3: A patient with a laryngectomy (neck breather) is in respiratory arrest. How should you provide rescue breaths?

Cover the stoma and ventilate mouth-to-mouth as normal
Seal the stoma and ventilate directly into the stoma (Correct answer)
Use mouth-to-mouth only — avoid the stoma
Seal both the mouth and nose, then ventilate the stoma

Correct answer: Seal the stoma and ventilate directly into the stoma

For a total laryngectomy patient, ventilate directly into the stoma since the upper airway is disconnected.

Question 4: The bystander uses their cell phone to dial 911 and then goes in search of an AED. How will you intervene next?

obtain a brief medical history from the mother
begin CPR
wait for the AED
look for breathing and check for a pulse simultaneously (Correct answer)

Correct answer: look for breathing and check for a pulse simultaneously

While waiting for the bystander to call 911 and retrieve the AED, you should immediately assess the child's condition. This involves simultaneously looking for breathing and checking for a pulse for no more than 10 seconds. This assessment will guide whether to start CPR or provide rescue breaths.

Question 5: If an unresponsive patient has agonal gasps, how should you respond?

Treat as if not breathing and begin rescue breaths or CPR (Correct answer)
Wait to see if normal breathing resumes
Only begin CPR if the gasps stop within 30 seconds
Provide supplemental oxygen by mask and observe

Correct answer: Treat as if not breathing and begin rescue breaths or CPR

Agonal gasps are ineffective and indicate cardiopulmonary arrest; begin CPR or rescue breathing immediately.

Question 6: Which of the following correctly describes the flow of air during rescue breathing into a properly opened airway?

Mouth → esophagus → stomach → diaphragm
Mouth → pharynx → larynx → trachea → lungs (Correct answer)
Mouth → pharynx → epiglottis → esophagus → lungs
Mouth → nasal passage → sinuses → trachea → lungs

Correct answer: Mouth → pharynx → larynx → trachea → lungs

Air travels from the mouth through the pharynx, past the larynx and vocal cords, down the trachea, and into the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Question 7: Which of the following is the most common cause of airway obstruction in an unconscious adult?

Swelling of the epiglottis
The tongue falling back into the throat (Correct answer)
Mucus accumulation
A foreign body

Correct answer: The tongue falling back into the throat

In unconscious patients, loss of muscle tone causes the tongue to relax and fall back, blocking the airway — which is why airway maneuvers focus on lifting the jaw.

Question 8: An infant is found unresponsive. What is the preferred method to open their airway?

Full head-tilt with aggressive chin-lift
Neutral to slight head-tilt with gentle chin-lift (Correct answer)
Jaw thrust only
Neck hyperextension

Correct answer: Neutral to slight head-tilt with gentle chin-lift

For infants, only a slight head-tilt with gentle chin-lift is used because hyperextension can actually close the airway in very young children.

Question 9: Which of the following is a sign that rescue breaths are being delivered correctly?

The patient coughs after each breath
Air can be heard escaping from the mouth
The patient's chest visibly rises with each breath (Correct answer)
The patient's abdomen rises with each breath

Correct answer: The patient's chest visibly rises with each breath

Visible chest rise with each breath confirms air is entering the lungs rather than the stomach.

Question 10: Rescue breathing is being given to a child at what rate?

1 breath every 2 seconds (30/min)
1 breath every 5–6 seconds (10–12/min)
2 breaths every 15 compressions
1 breath every 2–3 seconds (20–30/min) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 1 breath every 2–3 seconds (20–30/min)

For a child with a pulse but no breathing, rescue breathing is delivered at 1 breath every 2–3 seconds, equivalent to 20–30 breaths per minute.

Question 11: When performing CPR, what is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer?

15:1
5:1
20:2
30:2 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 30:2

For a single rescuer performing CPR on an adult, the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio is 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. This ratio prioritizes chest compressions, which are the most critical component of CPR for maintaining blood flow. It ensures a balance between circulating blood and providing oxygen.

Question 12: What is the recommended rate for chest compressions during adult CPR?

80–100 compressions per minute
60–80 compressions per minute
100–120 compressions per minute (Correct answer)
Over 140 compressions per minute

Correct answer: 100–120 compressions per minute

According to current Basic Life Support (BLS) guidelines, the recommended rate for chest compressions during adult CPR is 100 to 120 compressions per minute. This specific rate ensures adequate blood flow to vital organs, maximizing the effectiveness of CPR. Maintaining this rhythm is crucial for patient outcomes.

Question 13: In a two-rescuer adult CPR scenario, when should the compressor role be switched?

Only when the compressor becomes visibly fatigued
Every 10 cycles
Every 2 minutes or 5 cycles (Correct answer)
Every 5 minutes

Correct answer: Every 2 minutes or 5 cycles

Rescuers should switch the compressor role every 2 minutes (approximately 5 cycles of 30:2) to prevent fatigue and maintain compression quality.

Question 14: What is the depth of chest compressions for an adult during CPR?

Half an inch
3 inches
2 inches (Correct answer)
1 inch

Correct answer: 2 inches

For effective adult CPR, chest compressions should be delivered to a depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm). This depth is critical to adequately compress the heart and circulate blood to the brain and other vital organs. However, compressions should not exceed 2.4 inches (6 cm) to avoid injury.

Question 15: During CPR, a rescuer should avoid which of the following actions?

Switching compressors every 2 minutes
Compressing at a rate of 100-120 per minute
Leaning on the chest between compressions (Correct answer)
Allowing full chest recoil after each compression

Correct answer: Leaning on the chest between compressions

Leaning on the chest between compressions prevents full recoil, which reduces venous return and decreases the effectiveness of CPR.

Question 16: Which of the following is a POOR prognostic indicator for neurological recovery post-cardiac arrest?

Pupillary light reflexes present at 72 hours
Bilaterally absent N20 SSEP waves (Correct answer)
Glasgow Coma Scale improving over time
EEG showing continuous activity

Correct answer: Bilaterally absent N20 SSEP waves

Bilaterally absent N20 somatosensory evoked potential waves at ≥72 hours strongly predict poor neurological outcome.

Question 17: Which vasopressor is most commonly used to treat post-resuscitation hypotension?

Adenosine
Sodium bicarbonate
Norepinephrine (Correct answer)
Atropine

Correct answer: Norepinephrine

Norepinephrine is the preferred vasopressor for maintaining MAP ≥65 mmHg in post-cardiac arrest shock.

Question 18: What is the goal of post-resuscitation care?

To continue CPR
To allow the patient to recover without intervention
To provide ongoing resuscitation efforts
To stabilize and optimize the patient's condition (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To stabilize and optimize the patient's condition

The primary goal of post-resuscitation care is to stabilize the patient's physiological parameters and optimize organ function following a cardiac arrest. This includes addressing the underlying cause of the arrest, preventing further injury, and supporting recovery to improve long-term neurological and functional outcomes. It's a comprehensive approach aimed at restoring the patient to their best possible state.

Question 19: Which blood glucose range is recommended during post-cardiac arrest care?

60–80 mg/dL
140–180 mg/dL (Correct answer)
200–250 mg/dL
Below 60 mg/dL

Correct answer: 140–180 mg/dL

Glucose should be maintained between 140–180 mg/dL; both hypoglycemia and severe hyperglycemia worsen outcomes.

Question 20: After ROSC, a patient remains unresponsive. What is the recommended next step regarding temperature management?

No temperature management is needed
Actively rewarm to 39°C
Prevent fever and maintain temperature ≤37.5°C (Correct answer)
Induce hypothermia to 30°C immediately

Correct answer: Prevent fever and maintain temperature ≤37.5°C

Current guidelines recommend preventing fever (≥37.5°C) in comatose post-arrest patients rather than routine deep hypothermia.

Question 21: The principle of 'beneficence' in BLS ethics requires providers to:

Always follow the patient's stated wishes without exception
Actively promote the patient's well-being and best interests (Correct answer)
Treat all patients identically regardless of prognosis
Avoid any intervention that carries risk of harm

Correct answer: Actively promote the patient's well-being and best interests

Beneficence obligates providers to take positive actions that benefit the patient and promote their welfare.

Question 22: A nurse performing CPR on a patient discovers a valid DNR bracelet mid-resuscitation. The correct action is to:

Contact the attending physician before stopping
Stop resuscitation efforts immediately (Correct answer)
Document the DNR but continue until a supervisor confirms
Continue CPR until the full cycle is complete

Correct answer: Stop resuscitation efforts immediately

A valid DNR order is a legally binding physician's order; resuscitation must stop once it is identified.

Question 23: During a mass casualty event, a BLS provider must choose which patients to treat first with limited resources. This reflects which ethical principle?

Justice (Correct answer)
Veracity
Nonmaleficence
Autonomy

Correct answer: Justice

Justice requires fair allocation of limited resources, which is the foundation of triage systems in mass casualty events.

Question 24: In BLS ethics, 'nonmaleficence' most directly means a provider should:

Act in the patient's best interest even against their wishes
Always attempt resuscitation regardless of circumstances
Avoid causing unnecessary harm to the patient (Correct answer)
Treat all patients equally regardless of background

Correct answer: Avoid causing unnecessary harm to the patient

Nonmaleficence is the obligation to 'first, do no harm' — avoiding actions that cause unnecessary injury or suffering.

Question 25: In which of the following situations can an emergency medical provider give treatment without consent?

When the person is conscious
If the person is unconscious or unresponsive (Correct answer)
If the person is under arrest
When the person is a minor

Correct answer: If the person is unconscious or unresponsive

Emergency medical providers can provide treatment without explicit consent when a person is unconscious or unresponsive, based on the principle of implied consent. In such critical situations, it is presumed that the person would want to receive life-saving care. This allows for immediate intervention to preserve life and prevent further harm.

BLS Practice Test: Video 5 Answers (25 Questions)

Supplemental oxygen provided during rescue breathing should ideally deliver what fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂)?

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