cpr

A middle-aged man collapses. You and a second rescuer go to the victim and find that he is unresponsive, is not breathing, and does not have a pulse. You and another rescuer begin CPR. After a few cycles, you notice the chest compression rate is slowing. What should you say to offer constructive feedback?

"You need to compress at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute." Sometimes a team member may need to correct actions that are incorrect or inappropriate. In this case, you notice the chest compression rate is slowing. You should remind the other rescuer that a compression rate of 100 to 120/min should be used. Any person on the team should stop someone else from making a mistake, regardless of their role on the team.

A 67-year-old man is found unresponsive, not breathing, and without a pulse. You and a second rescuer begin performing high-quality CPR. When should rescuers switch positions during CPR?

About every 2 minutes. Rescuers should switch compressors frequently (about every 2 minutes or, if an AED is attached, when the AED is analyzing the rhythm) so that CPR quality is not reduced because of fatigue.

A 9-year-old child has suddenly collapsed. After confirming that the scene is safe, a single rescuer determines that the child is in cardiac arrest, shouts for nearby help, and activates the emergency response system by using his mobile device. He immediately begins performing high-quality CPR. Two additional rescuers immediately arrive to assist in the resuscitation attempt. Two rescuers begin high-quality CPR while the third rescuer leaves to get the AED. What action supports 2-rescuer CPR?

Alternating the compressor role every 2 minutes. To reduce rescuer fatigue, switch compressors every 5 cycles (about 2 minutes) or sooner if needed. To minimize interruptions in compressions, when an AED is present, perform the switch when the AED is analyzing the rhythm. Take less than 5 seconds to switch.

Which characteristics of chest compressions in high-quality CPR are given to a child?

At least one third the depth of the chest, approximately 2 inches (5 cm)

You witness someone suddenly collapse. The person is unresponsive, you hear gasping sounds, and there is no pulse. You phone 9-1-1. What should you do next?

Begin CPR; the gasps are not normal breathing. The gasps described in this question are most likely agonal gasps. Agonal gasps are not considered normal breathing and are a sign of cardiac arrest. High-quality CPR should be started immediately.

"The team functions smoothly when all team members know their positions, functions, and tasks during a resuscitation attempt." Match this statement with the most appropriate element of team dynamics listed.

Clear roles and responsibilities. During a resuscitation attempt, clear roles and responsibilities should be defined as soon as possible. The Team Leader's role is to clearly define and delegate tasks according to each team member's skill level. When all team members know their jobs and responsibilities, the team functions more smoothly.

While performing high-quality CPR on an adult, what action should you ensure is being accomplished?

Compressing to a depth of at least 2 inches

When you are performing CPR on an unresponsive person whom you know is choking, what modification should you incorporate?

Each time you open the airway, you look for the obstructing object. If you see an object that can be easily removed, remove it with your fingers. If you do not see an object, continue CPR.

A 53-year-old woman collapses while gardening. She is unresponsive, is not breathing, and does not have a pulse. A neighbor, who is an emergency medical technician, rushes to her with an AED. After the AED pads are attached to the person, the AED detects ventricular fibrillation. What is the next step when using an AED?

Follow the AED prompts

What ratio for compressions to breaths should be used for 1-rescuer infant CPR?

Give 30 compressions to 2 breaths

An 8-month-old infant is eating and suddenly begins to cough. The infant is unable to make any noise shortly after. You pick up the infant and shout for help. You have determined that the infant is responsive and choking with a severe airway obstruction. How do you relieve the airway obstruction?

Give sets of 5 back slaps and 5 chest thrusts.

Which adult victim requires high-quality CPR?

Has no normal breathing and no pulse. A victim who is unresponsive, is not breathing, and has no pulse requires high-quality CPR. Starting high-quality CPR immediately after cardiac arrest can greatly improve a victim's chance of survival. An AED should be used as soon as it becomes available.

Why is defibrillation important?

It can restore a regular cardiac rhythm. An AED can identify an abnormal heart rhythm that needs a shock. The AED can then deliver a shock that can convert a rhythm back to normal.

Early defibrillation is a link in the adult Chain of Survival. Why is this important to survival?

It eliminates the abnormal heart rhythm. An AED can help terminate an abnormal rhythm and restore a regular heart rhythm. When used in combination with high-quality CPR, an AED can double (or triple) the chances of survival.

"Members of the team know their boundaries and ask for help before the resuscitation attempt worsens." Match this statement with the most appropriate element of team dynamics listed.

Knowing your limitations. Every member on the team should know their limitations, and the Team Leader should be aware of them. Each team member should ask for assistance and advice early, not when the situation starts to get worse.

How can rescuers ensure that they are providing effective breaths when using a bag-mask device?

Observing the chest rise with each breath. the bag to give breaths while watching for visible chest rise. Deliver each breath over 1 second, with or without supplemental oxygen.

What special circumstance should a rescuer consider when using an AED?

On a hairy chest, the pads may not stick and may fail to deliver a shock. Special circumstances may require the rescuer to take additional actions when placing AED pads on a victim who has a hairy chest. In this case, the AED pads may stick to the hair and not to the skin on the chest, making it difficult to analyze the victim's heart rhythm and deliver a shock (if needed). Most AED kits contain a razor for this reason.

An 8-month-old infant is eating and suddenly begins to cough. The infant is unable to make any noise shortly after. You pick up the infant and shout for help. The infant becomes unresponsive. Which action do you perform to relieve choking in an unresponsive infant?

Perform CPR, and look in the mouth for the obstructing object before you give each breath.

A middle-aged man collapses. You and a second rescuer go to the victim and find that he is unresponsive, is not breathing, and does not have a pulse. Which action is most likely to positively impact his survival?

Performing high-quality CPR has been shown to improve a victim's chances of survival.

What should you do if you need to use an AED on someone who has been submerged in water?

Pull the person out of the water, and wipe the chest. Special situations may require the rescuer to take additional actions when placing AED pads for a victim who is immersed in water. In this case, the victim should be pulled out of the water. If the chest is covered with some water, it should be quickly wiped before attaching the AED pads.

A victim with a foreign-body airway obstruction becomes unresponsive. What is your first course of action?

Start CPR, beginning with chest compressions. Choking victims with severe airway obstruction may worsen and become unresponsive.

A 67-year-old man is found unresponsive, not breathing, and without a pulse. You and a second rescuer begin performing high-quality CPR. You notice the person giving chest compressions is not allowing for complete chest recoil. What is your next course of action?

Tell the compressor you notice decreased chest recoil. Sometimes a team member may need to correct actions that are incorrect or inappropriate. In this case, complete chest recoil is not occurring; therefore, the next course of action would be to notify the compressor of this. Any person on the team should stop someone else from making a mistake, regardless of their role on the team.

Why is allowing complete chest recoil important when performing high-quality CPR?

The heart will adequately refill between compressions. Allowing complete chest recoil (between compressions) permits blood to flow into the heart. Incomplete chest recoil is inefficient because it reduces the blood flow created by chest compressions.

A 53-year-old woman collapses while gardening. She is unresponsive, is not breathing, and does not have a pulse. A neighbor, who is an emergency medical technician, rushes to her with an AED. When the AED arrives, what is the first step for using it?

Turn on the AED. The first step for using an AED (when it becomes available) is to power on the AED if needed. Some devices will power on automatically when you open the lid or case. Because AEDs vary according to the model and manufacturer, it is important to become familiar with the AED used in your particular setting.

A 9-year-old child has suddenly collapsed. After confirming that the scene is safe, a single rescuer determines that the child is in cardiac arrest, shouts for nearby help, and activates the emergency response system by using his mobile device. He immediately begins performing high-quality CPR. Two additional rescuers immediately arrive to assist in the resuscitation attempt. What actions should occur next to support a team-based resuscitation attempt?

Two rescuers should alternate giving high-quality chest compressions. To reduce rescuer fatigue, switch compressors every 5 cycles (about 2 minutes) or sooner if needed. Take less than 5 seconds to switch.