 1.

The compression to ventilation ratio for one rescuer giving CPR to individuals of
ANY age is:*
o 30:1

o 30:2

o 15:1

o 15:2
10:1 is not a correct compression to ventilation ratio and will result in inadequate
perfusion. 30:1 is not a correct ratio and will result in inadequate ventilation. 30:2 is
the AHA expert consensus for the correct ratio of compressions to ventilations. 15:2
is not the correct ratio for compressions to ventilations in single rescuer CPR.
 2. How often should rescuers switch roles when performing two-rescuer CPR?*
o After every cycle of CPR

o After every two cycles of CPR

o After every five cycles of CPR

o After every 10 cycles of CPR

Changing roles after every cycle of CPR will create too many interruptions and
impair successful resuscitation. Changing roles after every 2 cycles of CPR will
create frequent interruptions in perfusion and is not consistent with AHA
recommendations. Changing roles after every 5 cycles of CPR is the currently
recommended frequency to promote high quality CPR. CPR is physically demanding
and waiting to switch roles every 10 cycles will likely fatigue the rescuer performing
chest compressions resulting in lower quality CPR.
 3. The proper steps for operating an AED are:*
o Power on the AED, attach electrode pads, shock the individual, and analyze the
rhythm

o Power on the AED, attach electode pads, analyze the rhythm, clear the
individual, and deliver shock

o Attach electrode pads, check pulse, shock individual, and analyze rhythm

o Check pulse, attach electrode pads, analyze rhythm, shock patient

The patient must be analyzed before the AED will advise a shock This represents the
correct steps for operating an AED. The rhythm must be analyzed before the AED
will advise a shock. A pulse check should have been done prior to attaching the AED
and is not part of AED operation. This sequence does not begin with powering on the
AED.
 4. Where should you attempt to perform a pulse check in a child who is anywhere
from one year to puberty?*
o Brachial artery

o Ulnar artery

o Temporal artery

o Carotid or femoral artery

The brachial artery located on the upper arm is used in infants below 1 year old. The
ulnar artery is not used to perform pulse checks in BLS. The temporal artery is not
 used to perform pulse checks in BLS. The carotid and femoral arteries are used to
perform pulse checks in BLS on children from 1 year of age to puberty.
 5. The initial Basic Life Support (BLS) steps for adults are:*
o Assess the individual, give two rescue breaths, defibrillate, and start CPR

o Assess the individual, activate EMS and get AED, check pulse, and start CPR

o Check pulse, give rescue breaths, assess the individual, and defibrillate

o Assess the individual, start CPR, give two rescue breaths, and defibrillate
The 2015 AHA guidelines recommend starting CPR before initiating rescue
breathing. Assessing the victim, activating EMS, rapid use of an AED, checking
pulse, and beginning CPR is the correct sequence of events for BLS. The 2015 AHA
guidelines recommend initiating CPR prior to giving rescue breaths, and this
sequence does not activate EMS. This sequence fails to activate EMS.
 6. The critical characteristics of high-quality CPR include which of the following?*
o Starting chest compressions within 10 seconds of recognition of cardiac arrest

o Pushing hard and fast

o Minimizing interruptions

o All of the above

Minimizing interruption of circulation by quickly recognizing cardiac arrest and
beginning CPR is an important characteristic of high-quality CPR and is emphasized
by the AHA guidelines. Pushing hard enough to compress the heart and squeeze
blood out, and fast enough to raise blood pressure is a vital characteristic of high-
quality CPR and is emphasized in the 2015 AHA guidelines. Minimizing
interruptions in CPR keeps blood pressure high enough to perfuse vital organs
including the heart and brain and is critical to improving outcomes in cardiac arrest.
 7. The five steps in the Adult Chain of Survival include all of the following
EXCEPT:*
o Early CPR

o Rapid defibrillation

o Advanced airway placement

o Integrated post-cardiac arrest care

Early CPR provides vital oxygen to the brain and vital organs increasing the
likelihood of recovery. Rapid defibrillation increases the chance of effectively
restoring a normal heart rhythm. Advanced airway placement is not part of the BLS
adult chain of survival. Post cardiac arrest care reduces the possibility of long-term
impairment and increases the chance of a victim making a full recovery.
 8. The 2015 AHA guidelines for CPR recommended BLS sequence of steps are:*
o Chest compressions, Airway, Breathing

o None of the above

o Airway, Breathing, Check pulse

o Airway, Breathing, Chest compressions

The recommended steps for CPR is are chest compressions, airway management, and
rescue breathing. Chest compressions have the greatest impact for survival. Many
 rescuers fail to push hard or fast enough. High-quality chest compressions have the
greatest chance to save a life.
 9. Which of the following are signs of airway obstruction?*
o Poor air exchange

o High-pitched noise while inhaling

o Inability to speak

o All of the above

Poor airway exchange results in impaired ventilation and may be a sign of airway
obstruction. High pitched noise while inhaling, called stridor, is a sign of upper
airway impairment and may represent a partial airway obstruction. Speech requires
movement of air across the vocal cords. An airway obstruction will prevent this air
movement and therefore speech. All of the above represent signs of possible airway
obstruction.
 10. In an adult with an advanced airway in place during two-rescuer CPR, how often
should the breaths be administered?*
o Every 2 to 3 seconds (20 to 30 breaths per minute)

o Every 4 to 5 seconds (12 to 15 breaths per minute)

o Every 6 to 8 seconds (8 to 10 breaths per minute)

o Every 10 to 12 seconds (5 to 6 breaths per minute)

Twenty to thirty breaths per minute will result in hyperventilation which impedes
return of spontaneous circulation. One breath every 4 to 5 seconds will result in
hyperventilation and is faster than the AHA guidelines recommend. One breath every
6 to 8 seconds results in 8 to 10 breaths per minute, and is the correct ventilation rate
for an adult victim with an advanced airway. One breath every 10 to 12 seconds is
slower than AHA guidelines recommend.