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

Question 1: Where should you check for a pulse on an infant?

Carotid artery in the neck
Radial artery at the wrist
Femoral artery only
Brachial artery in the upper arm (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Brachial artery in the upper arm

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

Question 2: Why is it important to keep a shock victim warm with a blanket?

To help them fall asleep
To make them sweat heavily
To raise their fever
To prevent loss of body heat and worsening shock (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To prevent loss of body heat and worsening shock

Preventing heat loss helps avoid further deterioration of a shock victim's condition.

Question 3: What is the universal precaution for all emergency response situations?

Only avoid contact with strangers
Treat all bodily fluids as infectious (Correct answer)
Use mouth-to-mouth only when you know the victim
Use hand sanitizer after CPR

Correct answer: Treat all bodily fluids as infectious

Universal precautions dictate that all bodily fluids, regardless of the known health status of the individual, should be treated as potentially infectious. This principle protects rescuers from exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other infectious agents. By assuming all fluids are infectious, rescuers consistently take appropriate protective measures, such as using PPE.

Question 4: What does the green check or 'ready' status indicator on most AEDs signify?

The battery is fully drained
The device has passed self-tests and is ready for use (Correct answer)
A shock is being delivered
The pads have expired

Correct answer: The device has passed self-tests and is ready for use

A ready indicator confirms the AED's self-test passed and the unit is operational.

Question 5: What is the correct compression depth for an infant during CPR?

About 0.5 inch (1 cm)
About 2 inches (5 cm)
About 3 inches (8 cm)
About 1.5 inches (4 cm) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: About 1.5 inches (4 cm)

Infant compressions should be about 1.5 inches, roughly one-third the depth of the chest.

Question 6: When should rescuers performing compressions switch roles, if possible?

Never, to avoid interruptions
About every 2 minutes to prevent fatigue (Correct answer)
Only when exhausted
Every 10 minutes

Correct answer: About every 2 minutes to prevent fatigue

Switch compressors about every 2 minutes because fatigue reduces compression quality.

Question 7: When performing chest compressions on an infant (under 1 year old), what is the recommended compression depth?

About 1.5 inches (4 cm) (Correct answer)
At least 2 inches (5 cm)
About 0.5 inches (1.5 cm)
About 2.5 inches (6 cm)

Correct answer: About 1.5 inches (4 cm)

The correct depth for infant chest compressions is about 1.5 inches (or 4 cm), which is approximately one-third of the chest's anteroposterior diameter. This depth is sufficient to circulate blood without causing injury.

Question 8: What should you do if the victim's chest is wet when applying an AED?

Dry the chest before applying pads (Correct answer)
Skip the AED entirely
Apply pads anyway
Pour more water on it

Correct answer: Dry the chest before applying pads

A wet chest can divert the shock, so dry it before placing the pads.

Question 9: What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer performing CPR on a child or infant?

15:2
5:1
30:2 (Correct answer)
10:2

Correct answer: 30:2

A single rescuer uses 30 compressions to 2 breaths for children and infants, the same as for adults.

Question 10: What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-rescuer adult CPR in the BLS for Healthcare Providers course?

30:2 (Correct answer)
10:2
15:2
5:1

Correct answer: 30:2

The 30:2 ratio is the standard for single-rescuer adult CPR, minimizing interruptions to compressions while providing adequate ventilation.

Question 11: What is the preferred two-rescuer compression technique for an infant?

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

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 12: What is 'hemostatic dressing' and how does it work differently from regular gauze?

Hemostatic dressings cool the wound to slow bleeding
They work by absorbing blood more quickly than regular gauze
Hemostatic dressings contain steroids to reduce inflammation
Hemostatic dressings are impregnated with substances (kaolin, chitosan, zeolite) that accelerate the blood clotting cascade, enabling faster hemorrhage control in severe wounds (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Hemostatic dressings are impregnated with substances (kaolin, chitosan, zeolite) that accelerate the blood clotting cascade, enabling faster hemorrhage control in severe wounds

Hemostatic dressings contain clot-promoting agents that actively accelerate the coagulation cascade, providing hemorrhage control significantly faster than standard gauze.

Question 13: On what landmark of the newborn's chest are compressions delivered?

Left side over the heart
Upper third of the sternum
Lower third of the sternum, just below the nipple line (Correct answer)
Over the xiphoid process

Correct answer: Lower third of the sternum, just below the nipple line

Compressions are delivered on the lower third of the sternum, below an imaginary line between the nipples.

Question 14: At what rate should chest compressions be delivered for an adult?

140-160 per minute
60-80 per minute
40-60 per minute
100-120 per minute (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 100-120 per minute

Effective compressions are delivered at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute.

Question 15: What is the recommended first aid for a minor thermal burn?

Cool it under running cool water for several minutes (Correct answer)
Apply butter or grease
Pop any blisters that form
Cover it with ice directly

Correct answer: Cool it under running cool water for several minutes

Cooling a minor burn with running cool water reduces tissue damage and pain.

Question 16: Why is it important to attach the AED pads to bare skin rather than over clothing?

Clothing prevents proper electrical contact and shock delivery (Correct answer)
It only affects pad comfort
Pads are designed to work through fabric
Clothing improves conductivity

Correct answer: Clothing prevents proper electrical contact and shock delivery

Pads must contact bare, dry skin to deliver the shock effectively.

Question 17: Which factor would generally PREVENT Good Samaritan protections from applying?

Acting without medical training
Failing to revive the victim
Gross negligence or willful misconduct (Correct answer)
Performing CPR slightly imperfectly

Correct answer: Gross negligence or willful misconduct

Good Samaritan laws do not protect rescuers who act with gross negligence or intentional harm.

Question 18: What should you do if a choking infant becomes unresponsive?

Continue back blows only
Begin CPR, checking the mouth for the object before each set of breaths (Correct answer)
Wait for the object to come out on its own
Perform abdominal thrusts

Correct answer: Begin CPR, checking the mouth for the object before each set of breaths

If the infant becomes unresponsive, start CPR and look in the mouth for the object before giving breaths.

Question 19: How should you treat a burn that has blisters (second-degree)?

Apply ice directly for an hour
Pop the blisters to drain them
Cool it, cover loosely with sterile dressing, and don't break blisters (Correct answer)
Wrap it tightly with tape

Correct answer: Cool it, cover loosely with sterile dressing, and don't break blisters

Cool the burn, cover it loosely with a sterile dressing, and leave blisters intact to prevent infection.

Question 20: What is the recovery position used for?

A person in cardiac arrest
A choking victim
Someone with a broken leg
An unresponsive person who is breathing normally (Correct answer)

Correct answer: An unresponsive person who is breathing normally

The recovery position keeps the airway clear for an unresponsive but breathing person.

Question 21: What should you do if you are untrained or unwilling to give rescue breaths?

Perform abdominal thrusts
Provide hands-only (compression-only) CPR (Correct answer)
Give breaths only
Do nothing and wait for EMS

Correct answer: Provide hands-only (compression-only) CPR

Hands-only CPR is recommended for untrained bystanders and is effective for sudden adult cardiac arrest.

Question 22: What is the significance of an AED's rhythm analysis algorithm in the context of shock delivery?

It monitors the patient's blood pressure to determine shock timing
It detects VF and pVT patterns and advises shock, while detecting non-shockable rhythms and advising no shock (Correct answer)
It can identify all cardiac rhythms and recommend treatment
It delivers multiple shocks automatically without user input

Correct answer: It detects VF and pVT patterns and advises shock, while detecting non-shockable rhythms and advising no shock

AED algorithms analyze the ECG signal to identify shockable (VF/pVT) vs. non-shockable (asystole/PEA) rhythms and advise the rescuer accordingly.

Question 23: How long should you take to check for a pulse before starting compressions?

No more than 10 seconds (Correct answer)
At least 30 seconds
5 minutes
A full 60 seconds

Correct answer: No more than 10 seconds

Spend no more than 10 seconds checking a pulse to avoid delaying compressions.

Question 24: What is 'mechanical thrombectomy' in the context of stroke treatment?

A type of brain surgery to remove the stroke-damaged area
Blood pressure medication given intravenously to prevent clot extension
Endovascular removal of a blood clot from a large cerebral artery using specialized catheter-based devices (Correct answer)
Manual CPR performed on stroke patients

Correct answer: Endovascular removal of a blood clot from a large cerebral artery using specialized catheter-based devices

Mechanical thrombectomy uses catheters and stent retrievers inserted through the femoral artery to physically remove clots from large intracranial vessels.

Question 25: You are performing first aid on a choking infant who suddenly becomes unresponsive. After shouting for help and placing the infant on a firm, flat surface, what is your immediate next step?

Begin cycles of 30 chest compressions. (Correct answer)
Attempt to provide 2 rescue breaths.
Administer 5 firm back blows.
Perform a blind finger sweep to clear the airway.

Correct answer: Begin cycles of 30 chest compressions.

Once a choking infant becomes unresponsive, the procedure changes to CPR. The immediate next step is to begin chest compressions (30 compressions). You will look for an object in the mouth before giving breaths.

Question 26: How does transthoracic impedance affect AED shock delivery, and how do modern AEDs compensate?

Impedance has no effect on shock delivery
Higher impedance increases shock effectiveness; AEDs decrease energy in high-impedance patients
Higher impedance reduces current flow to the heart; biphasic AEDs adjust waveform characteristics to compensate (Correct answer)
AEDs always deliver fixed energy regardless of impedance

Correct answer: Higher impedance reduces current flow to the heart; biphasic AEDs adjust waveform characteristics to compensate

Biphasic AEDs measure transthoracic impedance and automatically adjust shock waveform characteristics to maintain effective current delivery despite variation.

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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