CPR Certification Exam (AHA/Red Cross Equivalent) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What are the warning signs of stroke in the posterior circulation (vertebrobasilar territory)?

Chest pain radiating to left arm, jaw pain, sweating
Facial droop, arm weakness, speech difficulty
Dizziness, sudden loss of balance, double vision, severe headache, difficulty swallowing (Correct answer)
Confusion, fever, high blood pressure

Correct answer: Dizziness, sudden loss of balance, double vision, severe headache, difficulty swallowing

Posterior circulation strokes affect the brainstem and cerebellum, causing dizziness, balance problems, diplopia, dysphagia, and occipital headache.

Question 2: What is the role of an AED's 'ready' indicator or status display?

It indicates that the AED is in working order and ready for use (battery and pads are functional) (Correct answer)
It monitors the rescuer's compression rate
It counts down to the next scheduled shock
It shows the patient's heart rate in real time

Correct answer: It indicates that the AED is in working order and ready for use (battery and pads are functional)

The ready indicator confirms the AED is functional and ready for deployment—battery is charged and pads/accessories are present and connected.

Question 3: How should you open the airway of an infant with no suspected neck injury?

Tilt the head forward toward the chest
Jaw-thrust only
Hyperextend the neck fully back
Head-tilt/chin-lift to a neutral 'sniffing' position (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Head-tilt/chin-lift to a neutral 'sniffing' position

Use a gentle head-tilt/chin-lift to a neutral sniffing position; over-extending can block an infant's airway.

Question 4: For a choking conscious adult, which technique should you use?

Chest compressions
Abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) (Correct answer)
Back blows only
Have them drink water

Correct answer: Abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)

Abdominal thrusts are used to dislodge an obstruction in a conscious choking adult.

Question 5: Why is allowing full chest recoil between compressions important?

It prevents rib fractures
It saves rescuer energy
It increases compression depth
It lets the heart refill with blood (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It lets the heart refill with blood

Full recoil allows the heart to refill, improving blood flow on the next compression.

Question 6: What compression depth is recommended for a child (age 1 to puberty) during CPR?

About 1 inch (2.5 cm)
About 2 inches (5 cm) (Correct answer)
About 0.5 inch (1 cm)
About 4 inches (10 cm)

Correct answer: About 2 inches (5 cm)

Child compressions should be about 2 inches, or one-third the depth of the chest.

Question 7: In public access defibrillation (PAD) programs, what is the target time from collapse to first shock?

Within 1 minute
Within 10 minutes
Within 8 minutes
Within 3-5 minutes (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Within 3-5 minutes

PAD programs aim to deliver the first shock within 3-5 minutes of collapse, with each minute of delay reducing survival rates by 7-10%.

Question 8: Which type of stroke involves bleeding in or around the brain?

Thrombotic stroke
Ischemic stroke
Embolic stroke
Hemorrhagic stroke (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Hemorrhagic stroke

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into brain tissue.

Question 9: Before starting CPR on an unresponsive child, what should you do first after ensuring the scene is safe?

Begin compressions immediately
Give two rescue breaths
Check for responsiveness and call for help / activate EMS (Correct answer)
Perform abdominal thrusts

Correct answer: Check for responsiveness and call for help / activate EMS

Check responsiveness and activate emergency response before beginning resuscitation.

Question 10: If you see the object in an unresponsive victim's mouth, what should you do?

Give water
Push it deeper
Remove it with a finger sweep (Correct answer)
Leave it alone

Correct answer: Remove it with a finger sweep

A visible object should be removed with a finger sweep; only blind sweeps are discouraged.

Question 11: If a child has a pulse of less than 60 beats per minute with signs of poor perfusion, what should you do?

Give only rescue breaths and wait
Withhold all care
Begin chest compressions (Correct answer)
Perform abdominal thrusts

Correct answer: Begin chest compressions

A heart rate under 60 with poor perfusion in a child is treated by starting chest compressions.

Question 12: What does the acronym 'FAST' stand for in stroke recognition?

Face droop, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911 (Correct answer)
Face pain, Asymmetric pupils, Severe headache, Tingling
Fever, Altered consciousness, Seizure, Transport
Fatigue, Arrhythmia, Stroke symptoms, Treatment

Correct answer: Face droop, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911

FAST stands for Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call 911 — the primary stroke warning sign assessment.

Question 13: Where do you place your fingers to give chest compressions to an infant with a single rescuer?

One finger on the throat
Two fingers on the center of the chest just below the nipple line (Correct answer)
Both hands wrapped around the chest
The whole palm on the abdomen

Correct answer: Two fingers on the center of the chest just below the nipple line

A single rescuer uses two fingers on the center of the chest just below the nipple line.

Question 14: What should you do for internal bleeding while waiting for emergency services?

Give the person food and drink
Apply a tourniquet to the abdomen
Have them run to boost circulation
Keep them still, warm, and monitor for shock (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Keep them still, warm, and monitor for shock

Keep the victim still and warm, monitor for shock, and get emergency help quickly.

Question 15: Which technique is recommended for chest compressions on an infant when a single rescuer is present?

Two-finger technique on the lower half of the breastbone (Correct answer)
Thumb on the upper sternum
Heel of one hand
Both hands stacked

Correct answer: Two-finger technique on the lower half of the breastbone

A lone rescuer uses the two-finger technique just below the nipple line on the lower half of the breastbone.

Question 16: What is the preferred two-rescuer compression technique for an infant?

Two thumb-encircling hands technique (Correct answer)
One-hand heel technique
Two-finger technique
Two stacked hands

Correct answer: Two thumb-encircling hands technique

The two thumb-encircling hands technique is preferred for infants when two rescuers are present because it produces better blood flow.

Question 17: How do you perform abdominal thrusts on yourself if choking alone?

Wait for help
Lie down flat
Drink water
Press your own fist into your abdomen or lean over a firm object like a chair back (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Press your own fist into your abdomen or lean over a firm object like a chair back

A lone choking victim can self-administer thrusts with their fist or by thrusting the abdomen over a firm edge.

Question 18: Which of the following best describes agonal breathing?

Deep and regular breathing
Gasping, irregular breaths (Correct answer)
Shallow and quiet breathing
Loud snoring sounds

Correct answer: Gasping, irregular breaths

Agonal breathing is characterized by gasping, irregular, and often noisy breaths that are not effective for oxygenation. It is a common sign of cardiac arrest and should not be mistaken for normal breathing. Recognizing agonal breathing as ineffective respiration is crucial for promptly initiating CPR.

Question 19: What should be done if a patient has a hairy chest when applying AED electrode pads?

Use gel to compensate for poor contact
Apply pads directly over the hair without concern
Firmly press and rip off the first set of pads to remove hair, then apply a new set (Correct answer)
Wet the chest to improve conductivity

Correct answer: Firmly press and rip off the first set of pads to remove hair, then apply a new set

Pressing and removing the first set of pads removes chest hair, allowing the second set to adhere properly and deliver current effectively.

Question 20: An adult patient has a very hairy chest preventing pad adhesion. What is the best response?

Apply pads loosely and shock anyway
Abandon AED use
Press pads firmly, and if they won't stick, quickly shave or trim the area (Correct answer)
Pour water on the chest to help pads stick

Correct answer: Press pads firmly, and if they won't stick, quickly shave or trim the area

Poor pad contact reduces shock effectiveness, so press firmly or rapidly shave the contact areas.

Question 21: What personal protective equipment (PPE) should you use if available?

Sunglasses and jacket
Gloves and mask (Correct answer)
Helmet and boots
None, CPR doesn’t require PPE

Correct answer: Gloves and mask

Gloves and a mask (or barrier device) are the most important personal protective equipment (PPE) for CPR to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases. Gloves protect against contact with blood and other bodily fluids, while a mask or barrier device reduces the risk of airborne transmission during rescue breaths. Using PPE safeguards the rescuer from potential pathogens.

Question 22: How should you check for a pulse in an infant?

Femoral pulse only
Brachial pulse on the inside of the upper arm (Correct answer)
Carotid pulse in the neck
Radial pulse at the wrist

Correct answer: Brachial pulse on the inside of the upper arm

The brachial artery on the inner upper arm is the recommended pulse check site for infants.

Question 23: What should you do if a wound shows signs of infection days later, such as increasing redness, warmth, and pus?

Stop all cleaning
Apply more dirt
Ignore it
Seek medical attention (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Seek medical attention

Spreading redness, warmth, and pus indicate infection requiring medical attention.

Question 24: What is the public health significance of the opioid epidemic's 'three waves'?

The three waves describe the development of three MAT medications
Wave 1 involved prescription opioids (1990s-2000s), Wave 2 heroin (2010-2013), and Wave 3 synthetic opioids/fentanyl (2013-present), each driving overdose death increases with different dominant substances (Correct answer)
Three waves of naloxone versions were released over 30 years
Three separate opioid epidemics occurred in three different U.S. regions

Correct answer: Wave 1 involved prescription opioids (1990s-2000s), Wave 2 heroin (2010-2013), and Wave 3 synthetic opioids/fentanyl (2013-present), each driving overdose death increases with different dominant substances

The three-wave model describes the evolution of the opioid crisis: prescription opioids → heroin → fentanyl/synthetics, each with increasing overdose lethality.

Question 25: The expanded BE-FAST acronym adds 'B' and 'E.' What do these letters stand for?

Breathing and Energy
Balance and Eyes (Correct answer)
Blood and Edema
Blackout and Ears

Correct answer: Balance and Eyes

BE-FAST adds Balance (sudden dizziness/loss of coordination) and Eyes (sudden vision changes).

Question 26: You are providing CPR in a workplace setting. A coworker arrives with a valid, official 'Do Not Resuscitate' (DNR) order for the victim. What is the correct course of action?

Stop all resuscitation efforts immediately and respect the legal order. (Correct answer)
Continue CPR until paramedics arrive and can verify the document.
Ask the coworker to call the victim's doctor to confirm the order before stopping.
Ignore the DNR order because it may not be valid outside a hospital.

Correct answer: Stop all resuscitation efforts immediately and respect the legal order.

A valid DNR order is a legal medical directive that must be respected. [11, 25] Once a valid DNR is presented and identified, resuscitative efforts such as CPR should be stopped. [10, 11] Continuing CPR against a known, valid DNR order would violate the victim's legal and medical wishes.

CPR Certification Exam (AHA/Red Cross Equivalent)

This exam certifies individuals in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation techniques, enabling them to respond to cardiac and breathing emergencies.

Questions

30 min

Time Limit

80%

To Pass

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