The American Red Cross CPR Practice Test 2025 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The primary focus when providing CPR is to restore circulation through chest compressions. This is because, during cardiac arrest, the heart stops pumping blood effectively, and the most critical need is to restart the flow of oxygenated blood to vital organs, especially the brain. High-quality chest compressions help to maintain some blood circulation and can buy time until advanced medical help can take over or until the heart is successfully restarted.

While checking for responsiveness, managing the airway, and providing rescue breaths are essential components of the overall CPR process, they serve secondary roles in the immediate context of cardiac arrest. Establishing circulation through compressions is the first and foremost priority because it directly addresses the most urgent problem, which is the lack of blood flow caused by the heart's failure to pump effectively. Ensuring that blood continues to circulate is vital to prevent irreversible damage to the brain and other organs during critical moments following a cardiac event.