Nursing & Healthcare Practice Questions
BLS Practice Questions
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification — Practice with free sample questions covering the chain of survival, high-quality adult and infant CPR, AED use, and choking response. Each question includes a detailed explanation so you understand the why, not just the answer.
25
Total Questions
Untimed
Time Limit
84%
Passing Score
$70-$110 (with class)
Registration Fee
Free Sample Questions
Here are 5 free sample questions from our full bank of 500+ BLSpractice questions. Try them out below — click "Show Answer" to reveal the correct response and explanation.
1
Which of the following best represents the correct order of the adult Chain of Survival for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest?
AA) Early CPR, recognition, AED, EMS activation, advanced care, recovery
BB) AED use, CPR, EMS activation, recognition, hospital care, rehab
CC) Recognition and activation of emergency response, early CPR, rapid defibrillation, advanced resuscitation, post-cardiac arrest care, recovery
DD) EMS activation, advanced care, CPR, AED, recovery, rehabilitation
2
What is the correct compression rate and depth for an adult during high-quality CPR?
AA) 100 to 120 compressions per minute at a depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm), but no deeper than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
BB) 60 to 80 compressions per minute at a depth of 1 inch
CC) 80 to 100 compressions per minute at a depth of 3 inches
DD) 120 to 140 compressions per minute at a depth of 1.5 inches
3
When performing CPR on an infant (under 1 year of age) with a single rescuer, which compression technique and depth should be used?
AA) Heel of one hand, depth of at least 2 inches
BB) Two hands, depth of 2.4 inches
CC) One hand on the forehead, two fingers on the sternum, depth of 1 inch
DD) Two fingers just below the nipple line on the sternum, depth of about 1.5 inches (4 cm), which is approximately one-third the depth of the chest
4
You arrive on scene with an AED while another rescuer is performing CPR on an adult. What is the most appropriate next step?
AA) Wait until the rescuer finishes 5 cycles of CPR before turning on the AED
BB) Turn on the AED, attach the pads to the victim's bare chest, and follow the device's voice prompts while minimizing interruptions to CPR
CC) Remove the pads from the package and place them anywhere on the chest before powering the device on
DD) Use the AED only if the patient regains a pulse
5
A responsive adult is clutching their throat, unable to speak, cough, or breathe. What should you do first?
AA) Ask if they are choking, then perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) until the object is expelled or the person becomes unresponsive
BB) Begin chest compressions immediately
CC) Give two rescue breaths and check the pulse
DD) Place the person in the recovery position and wait for EMS
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About the BLS
Format & Structure
- Total Questions
- 25
- Time Limit
- Untimed
- Format
- Multiple choice
Scoring & Cost
- Passing Score
- 84%
- Registration Fee
- $70-$110 (with class)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BLS certification, exactly?
BLS stands for Basic Life Support. It's the foundation-level provider certification that teaches you how to recognize cardiac arrest, perform high-quality CPR on adults, children, and infants, use an AED, and clear an obstructed airway. Most BLS courses follow the American Heart Association (AHA) curriculum, though the American Red Cross offers an equivalent program. The card you receive at the end is what hospitals, clinics, and most healthcare employers actually verify before letting you start clinicals or shift work.
Who actually needs a BLS card?
Pretty much anyone working in direct patient care. Nurses, nursing students, medical assistants, EMTs, paramedics, dental staff, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, and most allied health roles need it. Nursing schools usually require BLS before you even step foot in a clinical rotation. Some lifeguards, personal trainers, and corporate safety officers carry it too. If you're not sure, ask your program coordinator or HR -- they'll tell you exactly what they accept.
How long is BLS certification valid?
Two years. After that, you'll need to renew, either by retaking the full course or by completing a shorter renewal class. Don't let it lapse -- if your card expires, some employers and schools make you start over with the full course rather than the abbreviated renewal. Set a calendar reminder about 3 months before your expiration date so you have time to schedule a session.
AHA BLS or Red Cross BLS -- does it matter which one I get?
It depends on who's hiring you. The American Heart Association card is the most widely accepted, especially at hospitals and large health systems. The American Red Cross BLS card is also valid and meets the same standards, but a handful of employers still specify AHA only. Before you sign up, double-check your school's or employer's accepted provider list. Same content, same skills tested -- different logo on the card.
Can I take the BLS course fully online?
Not quite. You can complete the coursework portion online through the AHA HeartCode BLS or a similar blended program, but you'll still need to attend an in-person hands-on skills session with a certified instructor. That's where they watch you perform compressions on a manikin, demonstrate AED use, and show proper bag-mask technique. Fully online BLS certifications without a skills check are generally not accepted by healthcare employers, so be cautious of providers that promise otherwise.
What should I expect on test day?
Two parts: a written portion and a skills check. The written piece is typically 25 multiple-choice questions covering scenarios you reviewed in class -- recognition of arrest, compression rate and depth, AED use, choking response, and team dynamics. You need 84% to pass. Then comes the hands-on skills station, where an instructor watches you run through adult, child, and infant CPR scenarios on a manikin. Wear comfortable clothes. You'll be on the floor a lot.
What happens if I don't pass the first time?
Don't panic. Most providers allow a retake the same day or shortly after, often at no extra cost. The instructor will tell you which skill or knowledge area to brush up on. If it was the written portion, review the AHA provider manual and run through more practice questions like the ones on this page. If it was the skills check, ask the instructor to walk you through it again -- usually it's something small like compression depth or pad placement.
How tough is the hands-on skills test really?
It's manageable if you've practiced. Most people stumble on the same things: not pushing deep enough on adult compressions, forgetting to check for full chest recoil, or fumbling with AED pad placement. Spend time before class watching a few AHA technique videos and, if you can, practice on a manikin or even a firm pillow. The instructor isn't trying to trip you up -- they want you to pass. Just slow down, follow the algorithm, and verbalize what you're doing.
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