BLS Algorithm Flashcard 3
Rationale
B. Rationale: A dose attenuating system may not be available on all AEDs, but if it is available with the AED kit, it should be used for the pediatric patient because it lowers the dose of energy given to the patient.
Question
When defibrillating a pediatric patient < 8 years old, the best device to use is:
a. No devices are required
b. Dose attenuating system
c. Adult AED
d. Electrocardiogram
Answer
a. No devices are required
Rationale
C. Rationale: The recommended chest compression rate is 100 to 120 per minute. A rate < 100 per minute is not effective in producing significant perfusion to the heart and brain. Rates > 120 per minute compromise full chest recoil and cause easy fatigability.
Question
When performing chest compressions on an adult or child, the recommended compression rate is:
a. 70 to 80 per minute
b. 90 to 100 per minute
c. 100 to 120 per minute
d. 140 to 150 per minute
Answer
c. 100 to 120 per minute
Rationale
C. Rationale: When providing high-quality CPR, it is vital to minimize interruptions in chest compressions. There are certain situations in which you can stop chest compressions for a brief time: (1) when checking for pulse and breaths for 10 seconds only; (2) after 2 minutes of CPR during a witnessed cardiac arrest to activate EMS and retrieve an AED; (3) when delivering a shock; (4) when the paramedics arrive to take over the situation; and (5) when the patient wakes up.
Question
When performing high-quality CPR, you can interrupt chest compressions when:
a. You remember to retrieve an AED
b. Giving ventilations in a two-rescuer team
c. The emergency medical providers arrive to take over
d. You believe the patient’s heart has restarted
Answer
c. The emergency medical providers arrive to take over
Rationale
C. Rationale: Studies have shown that traditional CPR improves survival compared to compression-only CPR. However, compression-only CPR is better than not performing CPR at all.
Question
Which of the following BLS measures has shown better results when used in a patient with cardiac arrest?
a. Calling paramedics to perform CPR
b. Providing compression-only CPR
c. Providing conventional CPR
d. Monitoring the patient until an advanced airway is available
Answer
c. Providing conventional CPR
Rationale
A. Rationale: The American Heart Association BLS guidelines state that if the AED does not recommend giving a shock, immediately resume CPR for another 2 minutes before another pulse check. You can stop CPR if the patient revives or when paramedics arrive and take over the situation.
Question
You are a bystander performing high-quality CPR to a patient in sudden cardiac arrest after a vehicular crash. You have already called for paramedics, and they will arrive shortly. An AED is attached to the patient and informs you that a shock is not recommended at this point. Knowing that this is a witnessed cardiac arrest, what is the most appropriate action to take next?
a. Provide high-quality CPR.
b. Override the AED and give a shock.
c. Intubate the patient as soon as possible.
d. Monitor the patient and wait for paramedics to arrive
Answer
a. Provide high-quality CPR.
Rationale
B. Rationale: For a single-rescuer approach, the American Heart Association BLS guidelines recommend that rescuers give 2 positive pressure ventilations after providing 30 chest compressions.
Question
You are a trained rescuer providing chest compressions to a 50-year-old man who just had a heart attack. No other bystanders are available. How will you perform chest compressions and provide ventilations?
a. 2 ventilations after 100 chest compressions
b. 2 ventilations after 30 chest compressions
c. 2 ventilations after 15 chest compressions
d. Asynchronous ventilations every 6 seconds
Answer
b. 2 ventilations after 30 chest compressions
Rationale
B. Rationale: If an unresponsive patient has a pulse but no normal breathing, the rescuer should ventilate the patient via mouth-to-mouth resuscitation at a rate of 1 breath every 6 seconds. Ventilations should be performed for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes, the rescuer should activate EMS. A pulse check should be performed every 2 minutes. Once the patient has no pulse, the rescuer proceeds with initiating high-quality CPR.
Question
You are going to provide mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to a 45-year-old man who is apneic but with a pulse. What is the recommended rate for giving positive pressure ventilation in this case?
a. 2 breaths to every 30 chest compressions
b. 1 breath every 6 seconds
c. 2 breaths for every 15 chest compressions
d. Chest compression-only CPR is appropriate in this case.
Answer
b. 1 breath every 6 seconds
Rationale
B. Rationale: The American Heart Association BLS Guidelines suggest that rescuers switch roles from compression to ventilation every 2 minutes. Changing roles helps prevent fatigue, which can compromise the delivery of high-quality CPR.
Question
You are part of a 2-person rescue team performing CPR on a 23-year-old woman in cardiac arrest due to a vehicular crash. To prevent rescuer fatigue, when is the best time to switch rescuers from chest compressions to ventilation and vice versa?
a. After 5 cycles of chest compressions
b. After 2 minutes of chest compressions
c. To avoid interruptions in chest compressions, do not switch positions
d. As soon as the rescuer gets fatigued
Answer
b. After 2 minutes of chest compressions
Rationale
A. Rationale: Studies have shown that even trained healthcare providers are inconsistent in determining a pulse or breathing status in a patient. Thus, if still unsure after 10 seconds of simultaneously checking the patient’s breathing and pulse, you should initiate high-quality CPR right away.
Question
You are tending to a 54-year-old patient with cardiac arrest due to anaphylaxis. You have already alerted the paramedics, and they are on their way. The patient appears to be gasping. You check for a pulse, and after 10 seconds, you are unsure if there is one. What is your next course of action?
a. Perform high-quality CPR.
b. Ask a bystander to double check for a pulse.
c. Give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and monitor the patient until paramedics arrive.
d. Monitor the patient until paramedics arrive.
Answer
a. Perform high-quality CPR.
Rationale
C. Rationale: Following the American Heart Association Basic Life Support guidelines for healthcare providers, once you have determined the patient is breathing with a pulse, you should monitor the patient until paramedics arrive.
Question
You witness a 45-year-old male colleague clutching his chest, and he immediately collapses and becomes unresponsive. After calling for EMS, you provide basic life support measures to the patient while you await their arrival. Following the BLS healthcare provider guidelines from the American Heart Association, which one of the following statements is correct?
a. If the patient has abnormal breathing or is apneic with a palpable pulse, provide chest compressions with ventilations until paramedics arrive.
b. If the patient has no pulse and has irregular breathing, perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and until paramedics arrive.
c. If the patient has normal breathing and a pulse, then monitor the patient until paramedics arrive.
d. All of the above statements regarding the American Heart Association BLS guidelines are true.
Answer
c. If the patient has normal breathing and a pulse, then monitor the patient until paramedics arrive.