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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

CPR practice test: 20 AHA-style questions and answers

Quick, free cpr quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results and tips.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Carl WahlerUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Grade 10
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art depicting a trivia quiz about AHA CPR Mastery and cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques.

This quiz helps you practice CPR using American Heart Association guidance and spot what to review before a class, skills check, or exam. Answer 20 quick questions, then see instant explanations and tips. For more drills, try a cpr practice test or a cpr certification practice test.

What is the first step in performing CPR on an adult?
Check for responsiveness and normal breathing
Call emergency services right away
Begin chest compressions immediately
Look for a pulse
Assessing responsiveness and breathing determines whether CPR is necessary. This initial step follows AHA guidelines to ensure that further actions, such as calling for help and starting compressions, are needed.
During adult CPR, what should be the recommended compression rate?
80-100 compressions per minute
50-70 compressions per minute
100-120 compressions per minute
120-140 compressions per minute
AHA guidelines recommend 100-120 compressions per minute for adult CPR. This rate helps maintain adequate blood circulation to vital organs during a cardiac emergency.
What is the recommended compression depth for an adult during CPR?
1 inch
3 inches
Half an inch
At least 2 inches
The recommended chest compression depth for adults is at least 2 inches. This depth is essential to generate enough pressure for effective blood circulation.
When using an AED, what should be the first action?
Deliver a shock immediately
Check the victim's pulse
Apply the electrodes immediately
Turn on the AED
The first step when using an AED is to turn it on so that the device can provide voice prompts and guidance. This ensures that you follow the proper sequence for safe and effective use.
Which of the following best describes proper hand placement for adult chest compressions?
Place hands on the sides of the chest
Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest and the other hand on top
Place both hands on the upper chest
Interlock fingers and place them on the victim's stomach
Proper hand placement involves placing the heel of one hand in the center of the chest and the other hand on top. This positioning maximizes the effectiveness of chest compressions during CPR.
What is the appropriate compression-to-breath ratio for an adult when performing CPR?
15 compressions to 2 breaths
5 compressions to 1 breath
20 compressions to 2 breaths
30 compressions to 2 breaths
The standard ratio in adult CPR is 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. This balance is designed to provide effective circulation and oxygenation.
In high-quality CPR, why is it important to allow full chest recoil after each compression?
It gives the victim a moment to breathe
It reduces the need for rescue breaths
It helps the rescuer maintain a rhythm
It allows the heart to refill with blood
Allowing complete chest recoil lets the heart fill with blood between compressions. This practice is vital for maintaining an effective circulation of blood during CPR.
When assessing a person for CPR, what initial action should you take?
Tap the person and shout, 'Are you okay?'
Immediately begin chest compressions
Call emergency services without checking
Shake the person vigorously
Tapping the person and asking if they are okay is the first step in determining responsiveness. This action helps decide whether further measures, like calling for help or starting CPR, are necessary.
Why is it critical to minimize interruptions during chest compressions?
To sync with the AED machine
To prevent the victim from regaining consciousness
To maintain continuous blood flow to vital organs
To allow the rescuer to rest briefly
Continuous chest compressions help sustain blood flow to the brain and other vital organs. Minimizing interruptions is essential for maintaining effective circulation during CPR.
After an AED analyzes the heart's rhythm, what should be your next step if a shock is advised?
Reapply the AED pads
Follow the AED's voice prompts to deliver the shock
Immediately check the victim's pulse
Retry chest compressions for another 2 minutes
Once the AED advises a shock, you should follow its voice prompts immediately. This ensures that the shock is delivered safely and effectively, following established protocols.
What is the recommended compression depth for pediatric CPR (children aged 1 to puberty)?
At least 2 inches
One inch only
About 4 inches
Approximately one-third the depth of the chest
For children, CPR guidelines recommend compressing the chest to about one-third of its depth. This depth is tailored to provide effective circulatory support while minimizing the risk of injury.
Which condition in a victim warrants the initiation of CPR?
A person feeling dizzy but conscious
A minor injury with slight bleeding
A small burn on the hand
Unresponsiveness and abnormal or absent breathing
CPR should be initiated when a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally. This scenario indicates that the heart may have stopped effectively pumping blood.
Which technique is recommended to ensure effective rescue breaths during CPR?
Blow air directly into the mouth without a proper seal
Give quick, short breaths without pinching the nose
Pinch the nose, cover the mouth, and deliver a breath until the chest rises
Wait for chest compressions to slow down before giving a breath
A proper rescue breath involves pinching the victim's nose and covering their mouth to form a good seal. This method ensures that enough air is delivered to cause the chest to rise, indicating effective ventilation.
What is the key benefit of using an AED promptly in a cardiac emergency?
Reducing the need for chest compressions
Infusing medication into the bloodstream
Thermoregulation of the body
Restoration of a normal heart rhythm
Using an AED promptly can restore a normal heart rhythm by delivering an electrical shock when needed. This rapid intervention is critical for improving the victim's chances of survival in a cardiac emergency.
Why is it important to push hard and fast during CPR chest compressions?
To signal emergency responders via vibrations
To maintain circulation of oxygenated blood to vital organs
To tire the rescuer quickly so that another may take over
To avoid the need for rescue breaths
Hard and fast compressions are essential to generate sufficient pressure to circulate oxygenated blood. This technique helps ensure that vital organs, like the brain and heart, continue receiving oxygen during CPR.
In a scenario with two rescuers performing CPR, how often should they switch roles to minimize fatigue?
Every 2 minutes
After 5 compressions
Only when one rescuer feels tired
After 10 minutes
Switching roles every 2 minutes helps prevent fatigue and maintains the quality of chest compressions. This coordinated effort maximizes the effectiveness of CPR by allowing rescuers to rest briefly and recover.
When performing CPR on an obese adult, what modification might be necessary?
Decrease the compression rate to avoid injury
Use only one hand to perform compressions
Increase the compression depth as needed while maintaining proper hand placement
Skip rescue breaths to conserve energy
Obese patients may require deeper compressions due to increased chest wall thickness. Adjusting the compression depth while maintaining proper hand placement ensures that effective blood circulation is achieved.
Which scenario is a valid reason to briefly pause chest compressions during CPR?
To give the victim a break
When applying the AED pads and allowing the device to analyze the rhythm
When waiting for a bystander to arrive
When the rescuer wants to check a pulse mid-compression
It is acceptable to briefly pause compressions when applying AED pads and allowing the device to analyze the heart's rhythm. This short interruption is necessary to ensure that the AED can function properly and safely advise a shock if needed.
During two-rescuer CPR, how can effective coordination be maintained?
By both rescuers performing chest compressions simultaneously
By alternating only when one rescuer experiences pain
By pre-arranging rotations and communicating clearly throughout the process
By having one rescuer decide without any communication
Effective coordination in two-rescuer CPR is achieved through clear communication and pre-arranged rotations. This strategy minimizes interruptions and ensures continuous, high-quality CPR.
What is a common misconception regarding rescue breaths during CPR?
That rescue breaths cause additional harm to the patient
That rescue breaths can only be performed by professionals
That rescue breaths are unnecessary and always delay chest compressions
That rescue breaths completely replace the need for chest compressions
A common misconception is that rescue breaths delay chest compressions and are therefore unnecessary. In reality, when performed correctly, rescue breaths are an essential component of CPR, especially in scenarios where oxygenation is critical.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand the fundamental principles of effective CPR techniques.
  2. Identify AHA-recommended life-saving procedures in emergency situations.
  3. Apply step-by-step CPR protocols to real-world scenarios.
  4. Analyze common challenges encountered during CPR administration.
  5. Evaluate personal readiness for certification exams through self-assessment.

American Heart Association CPR Test & Answers Cheat Sheet

  1. Maintain the ideal compression rate (100 - 120/min) - Keeping a steady pace of 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute maximizes blood flow to the brain and heart. Think of it like dancing to a beat - use a metronome or your favorite song at that tempo to stay on track.
  2. Hit the right depth (2 - 2.4 inches) - Compressions should push down at least 2 inches (5 cm) but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm) on an adult chest to circulate blood without causing damage. Too shallow won't move enough blood; too deep risks injury.
  3. Allow full chest recoil - Let the chest fully rise back up between compressions to let the heart refill with blood. It's like pressing and releasing a sponge - full release equals maximum effectiveness.
  4. Minimize pauses in compressions - Every break in compressions drops the pressure needed to perfuse the heart and brain. Aim for hands-off time shorter than 10 seconds, even during defibrillation prep.
  5. Use a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio - For adults without an advanced airway, give 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. This balance ensures oxygenation without long interruptions.
  6. Activate emergency response immediately - As soon as someone collapses and is unresponsive, call 911 (or your local emergency number). Quick activation means professional help is on the way while you start lifesaving CPR.
  7. Deploy an AED as soon as it's available - Turn on the AED, attach pads, and follow the voice prompts for shock delivery. Early defibrillation can dramatically boost survival rates.
  8. Administer naloxone for opioid overdoses - If opioid overdose is suspected, give naloxone along with standard CPR to reverse respiratory depression. It's a critical step that can buy time until EMS arrives.
  9. Position hands correctly on the sternum - Place the heel of one hand on the lower half of the breastbone and the other hand on top, interlacing fingers. Proper placement ensures you compress the heart, not the ribs.
  10. Stay up‑to‑date and practice regularly - CPR guidelines evolve, so refresh your skills through classes or online modules at least once a year. Regular practice turns knowledge into confident action.
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