BLS Algorithm Flashcard 4
Rationale
B. Rationale: Rescuers must know the key actions for providing CPR: (1) early diagnosis of cardiac arrest, (2) immediate CPR, beginning with chest compressions, and (3) early defibrillation.
Question
Which of the following is a key action for providing high-quality CPR?
a. Ensuring scene safety
b. Early diagnosis of cardiac arrest
c. Ensuring complete equipment for CPR
d. All of the above
Answer
b. Early diagnosis of cardiac arrest
Rationale
A. Rationale: Studies have shown that a waveform capnogram measurement maintained between 10 and 20 mm Hg indicates CPR quality is good enough to achieve a return of spontaneous circulation.
Question
Which of the following is a value of waveform capnography in CPR?
a. It can be used to monitor CPR quality.
b. It can be used to monitor oxygenation.
c. It can be used to monitor venous oxygen saturation.
d. None of the above
Answer
a. It can be used to monitor CPR quality.
Rationale
D. Rationale: Ensuring that the scene is safe is always the first step in the BLS sequence, no matter what type of rescuer is at the scene. (Systematic Approach in ACLS; BLS Assessment)
Question
Which one of the following is always the first step in the BLS sequence, regardless of the rescuer type?
a. Check for a patient response
b. Call for help
c. Use of AED/defibrillator when available
d. Ensure scene safety
Answer
d. Ensure scene safety
Rationale
D. Rationale: The guidelines were changed in 2015 to give priority to circulation over ventilation. The new guidelines give importance to early high-quality CPR and circulation rather than ventilation.
Question
Which one of the following is the correct sequence for cardiopulmonary resuscitation according to the ACLS guidelines?
a. Airway – Breathing – Circulation
b. Breathing – Circulation – Airway
c. Circulation – Breathing – Airway
d. Circulation – Airway – Breathing
Answer
d. Circulation – Airway – Breathing
Rationale
C. Rationale: Waveform capnography measures end-tidal CO2. It is a good indicator of the patient’s ventilation and perfusion status. Studies have shown that if a patient remains with an end-tidal CO2 pressure < 10 mm Hg, it is an indication that CPR quality must be improved. The goal is to achieve > 20 mm Hg ETCO2. Another indicator of good CPR quality is intra-arterial pressure.
Question
Which one of the following monitors CPR quality?
a. Blood pressure monitor
b. Cardiac monitor
c. Waveform capnography
d. Oxygen saturation
Answer
c. Waveform capnography
Rationale
A. Rationale: A visible chest rise must be achieved during resuscitation. If chest rise is not visible, then one must assume a problem such as an airway obstruction may be causing inadequate ventilations.
Question
While delivering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation for a cardiac arrest patient, you do not observe any chest rise. When providing assisted ventilation, what can you assume when a visible chest rise is not achieved?
a. Airway obstruction
b. Adequate ventilation
c. The patient has a myocardial infarction
d. Cardiac tamponade
Answer
a. Airway obstruction
Rationale
D. Rationale: If CPR is delayed, the chances of survival are reduced. It is more harmful to the patient if CPR is not given when necessary than performing it unnecessarily.
Question
You are a healthcare provider trained in basic and advanced life support. You have witnessed someone collapse on the sidewalk. Immediately, you check the person’s pulse, but you are unsure that you feel it. What is the most appropriate next step in this situation?
a. Get an automatic external defibrillator
b. Await the arrival of emergency medical services
c. Ask for help from someone to determine if the patient has a pulse
d. Begin CPR
Answer
d. Begin CPR
Rationale
B. Rationale: If unable to interpret ECG readings, the ACLS provider may use an AED instead. Remember that if the cardiac arrest is secondary to a shockable rhythm, then immediate defibrillation is warranted, as long as interruptions to chest compressions are minimized.
Question
You are a new paramedic who arrived first to a patient in cardiac arrest secondary to choking. You are not sure of your ECG interpretations but immediately initiate high-quality CPR. What is your next course of action?
a. Attach a manual defibrillator
b. Attach an AED
c. Continue with high-quality CPR until the patient is transported
d. Establish an intravenous line
Answer
b. Attach an AED
Rationale
C. Rationale: More chest injuries were observed if compression depth exceeded 2.4 inches.
Question
You are delivering chest compressions to a cachectic 72-year-old man in cardiac arrest due to stage IV lung carcinoma. To avoid injury to the patient, chest compression depth should not exceed:
a. 3 inches
b. 1.5 inches
c. 2.4 inches
d. 2.6 inches
Answer
c. 2.4 inches
Rationale
A. Rationale: Each breath given during assisted ventilation must be over 1 second.
Question
You are involved in a 2-rescuer BLS approach to resuscitating an adult cardiac arrest patient in an airport. You are tasked to provide mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Each breath given during assisted ventilation must be over how many seconds?
a. 1 second
b. 1.5 seconds
c. 2 seconds
d. 3 seconds
Answer
a. 1 second