First Aid and CPR Practice Test (US) 2026

1. Question 1 of 25

   The American Red Cross teaches three emergency action steps, shown in this diagram. What are they, in order?

   • ACheck, Call, Care
   • BCall, Check, Care
   • CCheck, Care, Call
   • DCare, Call, Check
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Check, Call, Care

   The steps are Check (the scene and the person), Call (911) and Care (give first aid until help arrives).

2. Question 2 of 25

   What number do you call for an ambulance in the United States?

   • A811
   • B411
   • C311
   • D911
   Show answer

   Answer: D. 911

   911 is the emergency number for police, fire and ambulance across the US.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Before you check an injured person, what should you do first?

   • AMove the person to your car so you can drive them
   • BTake photos of the scene for the police report
   • CLook through their bag for an ID and an insurance card before anything else
   • DMake sure the scene is safe and put on gloves or other PPE
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Make sure the scene is safe and put on gloves or other PPE

   The Red Cross says to check the scene for safety first, form a first impression and use personal protective equipment.

4. Question 4 of 25

   How does the American Red Cross suggest checking whether a person is responsive?

   • AShout, tap the person, and shout again
   • BPinch the person's nose hard
   • CLift the person's head and shake it gently to see if they wake
   • DPour cold water on the person
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Shout, tap the person, and shout again

   Use shout-tap-shout to check responsiveness without moving the person.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What is the longest you should take to check whether an unresponsive person is breathing?

   • A30 seconds
   • B1 minute
   • C2 minutes
   • D10 seconds
   Show answer

   Answer: D. 10 seconds

   Check breathing for no more than 10 seconds so CPR is not delayed.

6. Question 6 of 25

   An adult does not respond and is not breathing, or is only gasping. What should happen next?

   • APut them in the recovery position and leave them while you find help
   • BGive them a drink of water
   • CWait 5 minutes to see if they wake up
   • DCall 911 and get an AED, or have someone do it, then start CPR
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Call 911 and get an AED, or have someone do it, then start CPR

   An unresponsive person who is not breathing normally needs 911, an AED and CPR right away.

7. Question 7 of 25

   You are alone with a cell phone and find an adult in cardiac arrest. What should you do?

   • ARun to find someone else to call
   • BStart CPR and wait 10 minutes before you call 911, in case they recover
   • CCall 911, put the phone on speaker and start CPR right away
   • DText a friend to call 911 for you
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Call 911, put the phone on speaker and start CPR right away

   A lone rescuer with a phone can call 911 on speaker and start CPR at almost the same time.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Disposable gloves are right there in a first aid kit when you need to give CPR. What does the AHA say about using them?

   • AIt is reasonable to use PPE such as gloves when they are immediately available
   • BGloves are only for health care workers
   • CYou must find gloves before you touch the person, even if it takes 10 minutes
   • DNever use gloves during CPR
   Show answer

   Answer: A. It is reasonable to use PPE such as gloves when they are immediately available

   PPE is reasonable when it is immediately available, but do not let it delay CPR for long.

9. Question 9 of 25

   A responsive adult has a twisted ankle. What should you do before you start to help?

   • AStart wrapping the ankle without speaking
   • BTell them your name and ask if you can help
   • CCall their employer or family for permission before you help
   • DAsk to see their driver's license
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Tell them your name and ask if you can help

   A responsive adult can accept or refuse care, so introduce yourself and ask first.

10. Question 10 of 25

    How long should you wash your hands with soap and water after giving first aid?

    • AAbout 5 seconds, as a quick rinse
    • BAbout 3 seconds
    • CAt least 20 seconds
    • DHand washing is not needed if you wore gloves
    Show answer

    Answer: C. At least 20 seconds

    Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

11. Question 11 of 25

    An adult is unresponsive and their breathing is absent or not normal. What should a lay rescuer assume?

    • AThe person is fine if their skin is warm
    • BThe person is choking and needs back blows and abdominal thrusts
    • CThe person is in cardiac arrest and needs CPR
    • DThe person is asleep and should be left alone
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The person is in cardiac arrest and needs CPR

    Lay rescuers should assume cardiac arrest when an adult is unresponsive with absent or abnormal breathing.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What is agonal breathing?

    • ABreathing through the nose only
    • BNormal breathing during sleep
    • CSlow, irregular gasping that does not move enough air
    • DFast, deep breathing, like a person who has just finished exercising
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Slow, irregular gasping that does not move enough air

    Agonal breaths are slow, irregular gasps. They are a sign of cardiac arrest, not normal breathing.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Marker 1 in the diagram shows where to push for adult chest compressions. Where is it?

    • AThe top of the breastbone, near the throat
    • BThe upper belly, just below the ribs
    • CThe center of the chest, on the lower half of the breastbone
    • DThe left side of the chest, over the ribs, right above the heart
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The center of the chest, on the lower half of the breastbone

    Place the heel of one hand on the lower half of the breastbone with the other hand on top.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Marker 3 shows the rescuer's position. How should your arms and shoulders be?

    • AOne hand on the chest and one on the floor
    • BHands on the chest, with your shoulders leaning back behind your hips
    • CShoulders directly over your hands, elbows locked
    • DElbows bent, leaning back
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Shoulders directly over your hands, elbows locked

    With straight arms and shoulders over your hands, you can push straight down using your body weight.

15. Question 15 of 25

    What is the correct rate for chest compressions?

    • A100 to 120 per minute
    • B60 to 80 per minute
    • C130 to 150 per minute
    • D80 to 90 per minute
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 100 to 120 per minute

    Push at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute for adults, children and infants.

16. Question 16 of 25

    How deep should you push on the chest of an average adult?

    • AAbout 1 inch (2.5 cm), so you do not break any ribs
    • BAt least 2 inches (5 cm), but not more than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
    • COnly as deep as feels comfortable for you as the rescuer
    • DAbout 3 inches (7.5 cm) or more, as deep as you can
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At least 2 inches (5 cm), but not more than 2.4 inches (6 cm)

    Compress at least 2 inches (5 cm) and avoid going deeper than 2.4 inches (6 cm).

17. Question 17 of 25

    Marker 2 in the diagram is an up arrow. What does it show?

    • APull up on the chest with your fingers after each push to help it rise
    • BLift your hands off and clap between compressions
    • CWait 5 seconds before each compression
    • DLet the chest come all the way back up after each compression
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Let the chest come all the way back up after each compression

    Allow complete chest recoil by not leaning on the chest between compressions.

18. Question 18 of 25

    You are trained in CPR and willing to give breaths. What is the compression-to-breath ratio for an adult?

    • A15 compressions, then 2 breaths
    • B30 compressions, then 2 breaths
    • C50 compressions, then 2 breaths
    • D10 compressions, then 1 breath
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 30 compressions, then 2 breaths

    Trained lay rescuers give cycles of 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths.

19. Question 19 of 25

    How long should each rescue breath take?

    • AAs long as you can exhale
    • BAbout 1 second, with visible chest rise
    • CHalf a second, as hard as possible
    • DAbout 5 seconds
    Show answer

    Answer: B. About 1 second, with visible chest rise

    Give each breath over about 1 second, just enough to make the chest rise.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Your first rescue breath does not make the chest rise. What should you do?

    • AGive 10 quick breaths in a row right away
    • BBlow much harder and longer on the same breath
    • CStop CPR and wait for EMS to clear the airway
    • DRe-tilt the head, reseal your mouth and give the second breath
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Re-tilt the head, reseal your mouth and give the second breath

    Re-tilt the head and reseal. If the second breath still does not go in, something may be blocking the airway.

21. Question 21 of 25

    How do you open the airway before giving rescue breaths?

    • ATurn the person face-down
    • BPress the chin down onto the chest
    • CPull the tongue out with your fingers
    • DUse the head-tilt/chin-lift
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Use the head-tilt/chin-lift

    The head-tilt/chin-lift moves the tongue away from the back of the throat.

22. Question 22 of 25

    What are the two steps of Hands-Only CPR for an adult who suddenly collapses?

    • AGive 2 breaths, then check for a pulse for 1 minute before pushing
    • BShake the person, then give water
    • CCall 911, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest
    • DRaise the legs, then wait
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Call 911, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest

    Compression-only (Hands-Only) CPR is appropriate when rescuers are untrained or unwilling to give breaths.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Who should use compression-only (Hands-Only) CPR on an adult?

    • ARescuers who are untrained or unwilling to give breaths
    • BOnly people who have an AED
    • COnly doctors, nurses and paramedics who are working at the time
    • DNobody, breaths are always required
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Rescuers who are untrained or unwilling to give breaths

    Compression-only CPR is appropriate for lay rescuers who are untrained or unwilling to give breaths.

24. Question 24 of 25

    How long should any pause in chest compressions be?

    • AAs long as needed to rest
    • BLess than 10 seconds
    • CAbout 1 minute
    • DAbout 30 seconds
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Less than 10 seconds

    Keep interruptions to less than 10 seconds so blood keeps moving.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Where should the person be when you give CPR?

    • AFace-down on the floor
    • BSitting up in a chair
    • COn their side on a soft bed or couch, with a pillow under the head
    • DOn their back on a firm, flat surface
    Show answer

    Answer: D. On their back on a firm, flat surface

    A firm, flat surface lets each compression push the chest down effectively.

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