1. Which is a sign of respiratory distress?
Not quite
Trouble breathing is a common sign that a person is in respiratory distress. The other choices do not show that breathing is being affected.
Breathing Emergencies Practice Questions
This part of the exam covers breathing emergencies — from respiratory distress to respiratory arrest and choking. These are common and can become life-threatening quickly.
Topics include the signs of respiratory distress, rescue breaths, choking care for adults, children, and infants, and using a breathing barrier.
Questions last reviewed June 2026 · AHA/ECC guidelinesHow our questions are made
What this part of the exam covers
- Signs of respiratory distress and respiratory arrest
- Rescue breaths and getting an effective mask seal
- Choking care for a responsive adult or child (back blows, abdominal thrusts)
- Choking care for an infant (back blows and chest thrusts)
- What to do when a choking victim becomes unresponsive
Practice questions
Choose an answer to test yourself — the explanation appears once you answer.
2. Which event can lead to respiratory distress or arrest?
Not quite
During the drowning process, a person can develop severe breathing problems and may stop breathing. The other choices do not cause a breathing emergency.
3. Which technique is used for a choking infant?
Not quite
Infant choking care uses back blows and chest thrusts. Abdominal thrusts are not used on infants.
4. Why is it important to get a good seal with a resuscitation mask or breathing barrier?
Not quite
A good seal helps air go into the lungs instead of leaking out. A poor seal makes rescue breaths less effective.
5. Which action helps improve the chance of effective rescue breaths?
Not quite
A good seal helps air enter the airway. Blowing from far away or allowing leaks makes breaths less effective.
6. Which condition is a common cause of breathing emergencies?
Not quite
Asthma can narrow the airways and make breathing hard. The other choices do not usually cause a breathing emergency.
7. How long should each rescue breath take to give?
Not quite
Each rescue breath should be given over about 1 second — a gentle breath, just enough air to make the chest begin to rise. A large or forceful breath can push air into the stomach and is not the goal.
8. A child is choking, but still responsive. Which pair of actions is correct?
Not quite
A responsive child who is choking is treated with back blows and abdominal thrusts. CPR is for an unresponsive person.
Practice all 11 topics free
Create a free account for the full question bank, daily practice sessions, progress tracking, and full mock exams.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between respiratory distress and respiratory arrest?
- Respiratory distress means a person is having difficulty breathing but is still breathing. Respiratory arrest means breathing has stopped, although a pulse may still be present.
- How is choking care different for an infant?
- For a choking infant, care uses back blows and chest thrusts rather than the abdominal thrusts used for a responsive adult or child. Confirm current technique with your certification course.
- What should you do if a choking victim becomes unresponsive?
- Lower them safely, call for EMS if not already done, and begin CPR — checking the mouth for an object before giving breaths. Follow your course's current guidelines.
More lifeguard exam topics
- Professional Lifeguard Practice Questions
- Facility Safety Practice Questions
- Surveillance and Victim Recognition Practice Questions
- Injury Prevention Practice Questions
- Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Practice Questions
- Water Rescue Skills Practice Questions
- Before Providing Care & Victim Assessment Practice Questions
- CPR & Cardiac Emergencies Practice Questions
- First Aid Practice Questions
- Head, Neck & Spinal Injury Practice Questions