BLS Quiz

A 72-year-old man suddenly collapses while shopping. You tap his shoulders firmly and ask, "Are you okay?" He opens his eyes but is unable to speak. He follows your commands by squeezing your hand. Which statement is most accurate?

He is responsive because he demonstrates purposeful movement
He is unconscious because he cannot speak.
He should immediately receive chest compressions.
He is in respiratory arrest.

Which finding best suggests that a patient has sufficient circulation to maintain brain function?

They have a palpable radial pulse but are unconscious.
Their pupils are equal and reactive.
They are conscious and responsive
They have spontaneous breathing only.

A pharmacist witnesses a patient collapse in the vaccination area. The patient is unresponsive but has a strong pulse and is breathing normally. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

Begin chest compressions.
Deliver one breath every 6 seconds.
Monitor the patient while awaiting EMS.
Apply the AED immediately.

Which of the following conditions would most likely place a patient into respiratory arrest while circulation is still intact?

Ventricular fibrillation
Massive myocardial infarction causing pulselessness
Narcotic overdose with severe respiratory depression
Complete cardiac standstill

An unconscious patient has a palpable pulse but is not breathing. What intervention should be performed?

Begin chest compressions immediately.
Give one breath every 6 seconds and reassess the pulse about every 2 minutes
Give one breath every 3 seconds.
Wait until the pulse disappears before intervening.

Why is respiratory arrest considered a time-sensitive emergency even when a pulse is present?

The heart will immediately stop beating.
Respiratory arrest can rapidly progress to cardiac arrest without intervention
Brain injury occurs instantly.
CPR is required regardless of breathing status.

A patient is pulled from a swimming pool. They are unconscious, have a pulse, but are not breathing. Which diagnosis best describes this condition?

Respiratory arrest
Cardiac arrest
Syncope
Shock

Which combination of findings is most consistent with cardiac arrest?

Pulse present, no breathing, unconscious
Pulse present, breathing normally, unconscious
No pulse, unconscious, no breathing
Weak pulse, breathing rapidly, confused

A healthcare student checks for a pulse for approximately 20 seconds because they are uncertain whether one is present. Based on BLS principles, what should have been done?

Continue checking until absolutely certain.
Check another pulse site.
Begin CPR if a pulse cannot be confirmed within 10 seconds.
Deliver rescue breaths only.

Which statement best explains why complete chest recoil is essential during CPR?

It improves lung expansion only.
It allows the heart to refill with blood before the next compression.
It decreases rescuer fatigue.
It increases chest compression depth.

Why is minimizing interruptions in chest compressions so important during cardiac arrest?

Continuous compressions eliminate the need for an AED.
Interruptions increase oxygen consumption by the rescuer.
Chest compressions serve as the patient's only source of blood flow during cardiac arrest
Interruptions reduce the effectiveness of rescue breaths only.

An AED arrives while CPR is in progress. Which sequence is most appropriate?

Deliver three shocks before restarting compressions.
Stop CPR until EMS arrives.
Attach the AED, follow its prompts, and immediately resume CPR after any advised shock
Continue CPR without using the AED.

Which patient would require immediate initiation of CPR?

Unconscious, breathing normally, pulse present.
Conscious but confused.
Unconscious, pulse absent, not breathing.
Unconscious, pulse present, not breathing.