CPR & Basic Life Support Quiz

Cardiac Arrest and CPR Basics

• Not all cardiac arrest situations are shockable by an AED; this is a misconception.
• CPR's primary function is to circulate blood until the heart can regain a normal rhythm.
• Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart ceases to effectively pump blood, resulting in a critical emergency.
• Effective chest compressions only pump about 30% of the blood compared to a normal heartbeat.

Defibrillation and Emergency Response

• Defibrillation works by delivering a shock to the heart to interrupt ventricular fibrillation.
• The recovery position should be used for a victim only after Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC).
• The responsiveness check should take between 5 and 10 seconds to ensure accurate assessment.

Rescuer Management During CPR

• When additional rescuers arrive, tasks should be assigned to prevent rescuer fatigue, with regular rotation of compression roles.
• Activate the emergency response system prior to starting adult CPR to ensure timely medical assistance.
• The adult CPR compression to rescue breath ratio is 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths.

AED and Compressions

• If a shock is being delivered with a defibrillator, the second rescuer should ensure they stay clear when directed.
• Complete chest recoil during CPR allows for proper refilling of the heart's chambers between compressions.
• Determining the type of CPR (adult or pediatric) depends on whether the victim has reached puberty.

AED Use and Effectiveness

• Use the AED immediately upon arrival, even during compressions.
• Effective rescue breaths are indicated by observing the rise of the chest after each breath.
• In cases of opioid overdose, naloxone should be administered as soon as a pulse is detected, regardless of the victim's breathing status.

Compression Depth and Techniques

• Chest compressions on adults should be at a depth of 2 to 2.4 inches.
• For infants, compressions should be performed to a depth of about 1.5 inches.
• The ratio of chest compressions to rescue breaths during pediatric CPR with multiple rescuers is 15:2.

Assessing Victim Responses

• The carotid and femoral arteries are suitable locations for taking the pulse of a child victim.
• Infants and children under 8 years require smaller AED pads due to their size.
• Brachial artery pulse checks are appropriate for infants.

Pediatric CPR Considerations

• Pediatric CPR focuses more on rescue breaths than adult CPR.
• A child in pediatric CPR is defined as being between 1 year and the onset of puberty.
• An infant's head should be kept in a neutral position while opening the airway.

Responsive Checks for Infants

• Responsiveness in infants can be checked by gently tapping their heel.
• During CPR for infants, a two-finger technique is recommended for compressions.
• If alone and needing to perform CPR on a child, start compressions immediately for 2 minutes before calling for help.