Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider Exam (AHA) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A victim of a lightning strike has no pulse. Which statement about rescuer safety is correct?

CPR should be delayed 10 minutes to ensure the victim is stable
Lightning strike victims do not retain an electrical charge and are safe to touch — begin CPR immediately (Correct answer)
Rescuers should wait for ALS because lightning victims remain electrified
Only rescue breaths should be given to lightning victims

Correct answer: Lightning strike victims do not retain an electrical charge and are safe to touch — begin CPR immediately

Unlike live electrical sources, lightning strike victims do not hold a charge and are completely safe to touch; CPR should begin without delay.

Question 2: Which of the following is LEAST reliable when used alone to recognize cardiac arrest in an unresponsive adult?

Cyanosis of the lips and fingernails (Correct answer)
Absence of carotid pulse
Unresponsiveness to painful stimuli
Absence of normal breathing

Correct answer: Cyanosis of the lips and fingernails

Cyanosis is a late sign and is not specific to cardiac arrest; it can occur in severe respiratory distress or shock without cardiac arrest.

Question 3: You release the baby's airway after 30 chest compressions, then search the child's mouth for the obstruction. You are able to take out a small toy that you see. <br> (True or False) You'll perform a brachial pulse check as your next course of action.

True
False (Correct answer)

Correct answer: False

False. After successfully removing an obstruction and providing rescue breaths, if the child is still unresponsive and not breathing normally, you should continue CPR. A pulse check is only performed if the child shows signs of life (e.g., starts breathing normally, moving, or responding). If the child remains unresponsive, CPR should continue until EMS arrives or the child recovers.

Question 4: What is gastric inflation, and why is it a concern during rescue breathing?

Air trapped in the chest; it causes a pneumothorax
Air forced into the stomach; it can cause vomiting and aspiration (Correct answer)
Swelling of the stomach lining; it blocks the diaphragm
Air in the bloodstream; it causes an air embolism

Correct answer: Air forced into the stomach; it can cause vomiting and aspiration

Gastric inflation occurs when rescue breaths force air into the stomach, increasing the risk of regurgitation and aspiration of stomach contents into the lungs.

Question 5: A victim of lightning strike is found unresponsive. Is it safe to use an AED?

Only trained electricians should approach lightning victims
Yes, lightning victims do not retain electrical charge and AED use is safe and indicated (Correct answer)
No, lightning victims retain electrical charge that can shock rescuers
Only if the victim is not on the ground

Correct answer: Yes, lightning victims do not retain electrical charge and AED use is safe and indicated

Lightning victims do not retain electrical charge; it is safe to touch them and use an AED immediately if indicated.

Question 6: Which pulse site is recommended when checking for a pulse in an adult or child victim?

Femoral pulse in the groin
Radial pulse at the wrist
Brachial pulse in the upper arm
Carotid pulse in the neck (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Carotid pulse in the neck

The carotid pulse is the recommended site for adults and children because it remains palpable even with very low blood pressure.

Question 7: During a pediatric cardiac arrest, a parent is present and becoming very distressed. The BEST team response is to:

Ignore the parent and focus entirely on the patient
Pause resuscitation to speak with the parent
Ask the parent to lead compressions so they feel involved
Have one team member briefly acknowledge the parent and assign another to support them away from the immediate area (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Have one team member briefly acknowledge the parent and assign another to support them away from the immediate area

Designating one rescuer to support the family member maintains resuscitation quality while providing compassionate management of the emotional situation.

Question 8: How long should you allow the AED to analyze the victim's heart rhythm before prompting it to deliver a shock?

Press the analyze button repeatedly to speed up the process
The AED completes analysis automatically; do not interrupt it (Correct answer)
Begin compressions during analysis to save time
Manually assess rhythm for 10 seconds first

Correct answer: The AED completes analysis automatically; do not interrupt it

The AED performs its own rhythm analysis automatically; all movement and CPR must stop and the rescuer must not touch the victim during analysis.

Question 9: For a child victim in cardiac arrest, what is the two-rescuer compression-to-ventilation ratio?

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

Correct answer: 15:2

Two rescuers performing CPR on a child use a 15:2 ratio to deliver more frequent ventilations to the pediatric patient.

Question 10: How deep should chest compressions be for an adult patient in cardiac arrest?

Exactly 3 inches (7.5 cm)
As deep as possible without restriction
At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
At least 2 inches (5 cm), not exceeding 2.4 inches (6 cm) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: At least 2 inches (5 cm), not exceeding 2.4 inches (6 cm)

Adult chest compressions should be at least 2 inches (5 cm) deep but should not exceed 2.4 inches (6 cm) to avoid injury.

Question 11: What is the recommended compression depth for adults during CPR?

More than 3 inches
About 1.5 inches
At least 2 inches (Correct answer)
At least 1 inch

Correct answer: At least 2 inches

For effective adult CPR, chest compressions must be deep enough to adequately circulate blood to vital organs. The recommended depth is at least 2 inches (5 cm), but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm). Compressing too shallowly will not provide sufficient blood flow, while compressing too deeply can cause injury, making proper depth crucial.

Question 12: Which mnemonic represents the reversible causes of cardiac arrest that rescuers should consider?

ABCs and DEFs
AVPU and PERRL
SAMPLE and OPQRST
The Hs and Ts (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The Hs and Ts

The Hs and Ts is the BLS/ACLS mnemonic for 8 potentially reversible causes of cardiac arrest (e.g., Hypovolemia, Hypoxia, Tension pneumothorax, Tamponade).

Question 13: Where should AED pads be placed on an adult victim?

One on chest, one on back
Upper right chest and lower left side (Correct answer)
Both on the chest
On both shoulders

Correct answer: Upper right chest and lower left side

For an adult victim, AED pads should be placed on the upper right side of the chest, just below the collarbone, and on the lower left side of the chest, below the armpit. This placement ensures that the electrical current passes through the heart, maximizing the chances of successful defibrillation.

Question 14: After ROSC, a patient remains unresponsive. What is the recommended next step regarding temperature management?

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

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 15: Why must no one touch the victim during AED analysis?

It can cause injury to the rescuer
It can result in incorrect analysis (Correct answer)
It delays CPR
It reduces oxygen

Correct answer: It can result in incorrect analysis

During AED analysis, the device is detecting the victim's heart rhythm to determine if a shock is needed. Any movement or contact from a rescuer can create electrical interference, which the AED might misinterpret as a heart rhythm or an artifact. This interference can lead to an inaccurate analysis, potentially delaying a life-saving shock or causing the AED to advise against a necessary one.

Question 16: A patient is found unresponsive and not breathing normally. After activating EMS, what is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer performing adult CPR?

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

Correct answer: 30:2

The AHA recommends a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-rescuer adult CPR.

Question 17: Which of the following correctly describes the flow of air during rescue breathing into a properly opened airway?

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

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 18: What is the correct action immediately after a shock is delivered?

Turn off AED
Resume CPR (Correct answer)
Wait for further instructions
Check breathing

Correct answer: Resume CPR

Immediately after a shock is delivered by an AED, the rescuer must resume chest compressions without delay. There should be no pause to check for a pulse or rhythm, as early resumption of compressions is critical to maintain blood flow to the brain and heart. The AED will re-analyze the rhythm after two minutes of CPR.

Question 19: A lay rescuer finds an unresponsive person and calls 911. The dispatcher confirms suspected opioid overdose and informs the rescuer that naloxone is in a nearby kit. The victim is breathing 3 times per minute. What should the rescuer do NEXT?

Place in recovery position and monitor
Administer naloxone and give rescue breaths (Correct answer)
Begin chest compressions immediately
Wait for EMS arrival without intervening

Correct answer: Administer naloxone and give rescue breaths

With inadequate breathing (agonal respirations) and available naloxone, the rescuer should administer naloxone and provide rescue breathing to prevent respiratory arrest.

Question 20: In BLS ethics, 'nonmaleficence' most directly means a provider should:

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

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 21: Which technique is used to provide breaths using a bag-valve-mask (BVM)?

Finger sweep
Double-hand tilt
E-C clamp technique (Correct answer)
Cross-finger technique

Correct answer: E-C clamp technique

The E-C clamp technique is the standard method for holding a bag-valve-mask (BVM) to a patient's face while providing breaths. This technique involves using the thumb and index finger to form a 'C' shape around the mask for a tight seal, while the remaining three fingers form an 'E' shape to lift the jaw and maintain an open airway. This ensures effective ventilation and minimizes air leakage.

Question 22: After two rounds of chest thrusts and back slaps, the infant becomes limp and unresponsive. What will you do in this situation to intervene?

begin CPR
continue back slaps and chest thrusts
perform a blind finger sweep of the mouth.
have someone activate emergency services (Correct answer)

Correct answer: have someone activate emergency services

If an infant becomes limp and unresponsive during choking maneuvers, the immediate next step is to activate emergency services if not already done. Then, the rescuer should begin CPR, starting with chest compressions. Continuing back slaps and chest thrusts on an unresponsive victim is ineffective, and a blind finger sweep is not recommended.

Question 23: A 6-month-old infant chokes on a piece of food. Which sequence is correct?

10 back blows only
5 abdominal thrusts, then 5 back blows
5 chest thrusts, then 5 back blows
5 back blows, then 5 chest thrusts (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 5 back blows, then 5 chest thrusts

The correct infant choking sequence is 5 back blows followed by 5 chest thrusts, repeated until the object is cleared or the infant becomes unresponsive.

Question 24: Why is it important to announce 'clear' before delivering a shock with an AED?

To confirm the rhythm is shockable before delivery
To ensure no one is in contact with the patient and will receive the shock (Correct answer)
To signal that compressions should resume immediately
To give the AED time to charge properly

Correct answer: To ensure no one is in contact with the patient and will receive the shock

Announcing 'clear' and visually confirming no contact protects all rescuers from accidental electrical discharge injury.

Question 25: In a suspected opioid overdose victim who is pulseless with absent or agonal breathing, what is the correct BLS action?

Wait for ALS providers before starting CPR
Apply AED pads immediately without starting CPR
Provide rescue breaths only — no compressions for opioid overdose
Begin CPR immediately and use naloxone if available (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Begin CPR immediately and use naloxone if available

Standard BLS with CPR must not be delayed; naloxone may be administered as an adjunct if available, but CPR takes priority.

Question 26: A toddler is coughing forcefully after partially swallowing a grape. You should:

Sweep your finger through the mouth to remove the object
Perform abdominal thrusts immediately
Give 5 back blows right away
Encourage continued coughing and stay close (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Encourage continued coughing and stay close

A forceful cough is the most effective way to clear a partial airway obstruction; do not interfere and monitor closely.

Question 27: When using an AED on a child between 1 and 8 years old, which is the preferred approach?

Use the AED only after 3 cycles of CPR
Use adult pads and adult energy settings
Use pediatric pads or a pediatric key/attenuator if available (Correct answer)
Do not use an AED on children — it is not safe

Correct answer: Use pediatric pads or a pediatric key/attenuator if available

Pediatric pads or an attenuator reduce the energy delivered and are preferred for children 1–8 years old; adult equipment is used only if pediatric is unavailable.

Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider Exam (AHA)

This exam certifies healthcare professionals and other personnel to recognize several life-threatening emergencies, provide CPR, use an AED, and relieve choking.

Questions

60 min

Time Limit

84%

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