Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Overview Quiz

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, commonly known as CPR, is an emergency lifesaving procedure used when someone's breathing has stopped and their heart has either stopped beating or is not effectively pumping blood around the body. It combines chest compressions with artificial ventilation in an attempt to restore spontaneous circulation and normal ventilation in a person who is in cardiac arrest. This life-saving technique can be performed by anyone - it does not require specialized medical training.

The most common reason for performing CPR is when a person collapses due to a sudden cardiac arrest, which is often accompanied by symptoms such as fainting, confusion, dizziness, lightheadedness, palpitations, shortness of breath, heaviness, tightness in the chest, nausea, vomiting, coughing, choking, and sweating. In many cases, performing CPR immediately after collapse or cardiac arrest can increase the chances of survival.

How Does CPR Work?

CPR involves two main parts:

1. Chest compression: This helps maintain blood flow, keeping vital organs supplied with oxygen until help arrives or more advanced treatment becomes available. Compressions should be done hard enough to push on the lower half of the breastbone about five centimeters deep, delivered at a rate of 100 to 120 times per minute.

   • When someone goes into cardiac arrest, their heart stops beating properly, which means that blood stops circulating through the body. CPR is designed to manually pump the heart so that blood can flow to vital organs like the brain, lungs, and kidneys until emergency medical services arrive.
   • Chest compressions should be applied using hands only – they do not need to be given with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. This is because chest compression alone can maintain adequate oxygen levels for up to 10 minutes.

2. Artificial ventilation: This helps ensure that oxygen from the air gets into the body and carbon dioxide gets out. The aim of artificial ventilation during CPR is to prevent the build-up of pressure within the chest that would otherwise occur during chest compressions.

When Should You Perform CPR?

You should perform CPR if you encounter someone who has collapsed and is unresponsive, even if you are unsure whether they have had a cardiac arrest or if there might be another cause for their collapse.

How to Perform CPR

Here are step-by-step instructions for performing CPR:

1. Call for emergency assistance by dialing the emergency services number in your country or by using any available phone or bystander.
2. Check for responsiveness: Tap the person on the shoulder, shout their name, and ask if they are okay. If there is no response, open the airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin.
3. Check for breathing: Check if the person is breathing by looking for chest movement and listening for breath sounds. If there is no sign of breathing, start CPR.
4. Begin chest compressions: Position yourself correctly, kneel beside the person, and place the heel of one hand on the lower half of the person's breastbone.
5. Perform chest compressions: Press down on the person's chest with the heel of your hand, keeping your arms straight and your shoulders directly above your hands. Do compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 times per minute.
6. Open the airway: Tilt the person's head back by lifting the jaw with two fingers and lifting the chin with the other hand.
7. Give rescue breaths: Pinch the person's nose shut and give two gentle breaths.
8. Continue chest compressions: Resume chest compressions and continue alternating between compressions and rescue breaths.

Factors Affecting the Success Rate of CPR

Several factors can influence the success rate of CPR:

• Timing: The quicker CPR is started, the higher the chance of survival.
• Skill level: People who have received CPR training are more likely to perform CPR correctly and perform it faster.
• Cardiac arrest cause: The type of cardiac arrest (e.g., sudden vs. prolonged) can also affect the success rate of CPR.

CPR Training

CPR training is available through various organizations and can be beneficial for individuals who wish to learn how to perform CPR. These courses provide instruction on how to recognize the signs of cardiac arrest, perform CPR, and use an automated external defibrillator (AED). The American Heart Association and the American Red Cross offer CPR training courses for the general public.

Limitations of CPR

While CPR is a lifesaving technique, it has its limitations:

• CPR cannot restore a person to full health after a cardiac arrest, but it can help buy time until medical help arrives.
• CPR is not effective in all cases of cardiac arrest, particularly if the cause is a severe underlying medical condition that cannot be reversed through compression alone.

Conclusion

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a crucial lifesaving technique that can help maintain blood flow and oxygenation in a person experiencing cardiac arrest. By performing CPR, you can significantly increase the chances of survival until emergency medical services arrive. Remember, the quicker CPR is started, the higher the chance of successful resuscitation.