BLS Algorithm Flashcard 1
Rationale
B. Rationale: During an asthmatic episode, the patient progressed into cardiac arrest. With a witnessed cardiac arrest, the first aid provider must immediately activate the emergency response system or call 9-1-1 and then begin high-quality CPR.
Question
A 45-year-old asthmatic man complains to you that he has difficulty breathing. He has already used his inhaler twice, but this has not improved his symptoms. After a few minutes, he loses consciousness and ceases to breathe spontaneously. You check for his pulse and do feel a pulse. What is your next course of action?
a. Give rescue breaths
b. Activate the emergency response system
c. Use his inhaler
d. Begin chest compressions
Answer
b. Activate the emergency response system
Rationale
A. Rationale: It is recommended to use the one-handed chest compression technique when providing CPR to a child with a small chest.
Question
A small child is in cardiac arrest. The most appropriate chest compression technique for this child is the:
a. One-handed technique
b. Two-handed technique
c. Two-finger technique
d. Circling hands technique
Answer
a. One-handed technique
Rationale
B. Rationale: According to the CPR guidelines, the causes of sudden cardiac arrest in adults are different from those of infants and children. Cardiovascular disease or coronary artery disease is the primary cause of sudden cardiac arrest in the adult population. Respiratory arrest and shock are typically the causes of sudden cardiac arrest in infants and children.
Question
Based on the CPR guidelines for adults, infants, and children, which statement is correct about cardiac arrest?
a. A drug overdose usually causes sudden cardiac arrest in adults.
b. Sudden cardiac arrest in infants and children is usually caused by respiratory arrest and shock.
c. Heart disease usually causes sudden cardiac arrest in infants and children.
d. The causes of sudden cardiac arrest in adults, infants, and children are the same.
Answer
b. Sudden cardiac arrest in infants and children is usually caused by respiratory arrest and shock.
Rationale
B. Rationale: For a single rescuer (or two rescuers for the adult population) providing ventilations, the recommended ventilation to compression ratio is 2 breaths every 30 chest compressions. For two rescuers of an infant, the recommended ratio is 2 breaths every 15 chest compressions.
Question
For a single rescuer approach to providing ventilations, what is the appropriate ventilation to compression ratio?
a. 2 breaths every 15 chest compressions
b. 2 breaths every 30 chest compressions
c. 1 breath every 6 seconds
d. 2 breaths every 6 seconds
Answer
b. 2 breaths every 30 chest compressions
Rationale
B. Rationale: Rescuers are recommended to switch places every 2 minutes to avoid becoming fatigued, which typically sets in about 1 minute into chest compressions. This allows them to continue performing high-quality CPR. Studies have shown that high-quality chest compressions are compromised when a rescuer becomes fatigued. Fatigue causes the rescuer to lean on the chest and provide inadequate compression depth and compression rate.
Question
For a two-person rescue team, the switching of roles is recommended every 2 minutes or 5 cycles of CPR. Why is this necessary?
a. To divide the responsibility in case of litigation
b. To maintain high-quality CPR
c. To observe universal precautions
d. None of the above reasons are correct
Answer
b. To maintain high-quality CPR
Rationale
C. Rationale: The CPR guidelines state that the most critical aspects during resuscitation are providing high-quality CPR, early defibrillation, and rhythm checks. According to the American Heart Association, early defibrillation is a fundamental and vital aspect of CPR.
Question
From the choices below, what is the most critical aspect during resuscitation?
a. Endotracheal Intubation
b. Medications
c. Early defibrillation
d. Observation
Answer
c. Early defibrillation
Rationale
B. Rationale: The recommended compression depth for an infant cardiac arrest patient is 1-½ inches or approximately 1/3 of the anterior/posterior diameter of the patient’s chest.
Question
How deep should the rescuer compress an infant’s chest when performing CPR to give adequate compression depth?
a. 1 inch
b. 1/3 the anterior/posterior diameter of the chest
c. 2 inches
d. 1/2 the anterior/posterior diameter of the chest
Answer
b. 1/3 the anterior/posterior diameter of the chest
Rationale
B. Rationale: When there is no one to help the lay rescuer call 9-1-1 or EMS in a witnessed cardiac arrest in an infant, the CPR guidelines recommend performing 5 complete cycles of CPR before calling EMS yourself. Performing 2 minutes of CPR before calling EMS increases the infant’s chances of achieving a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). If the infant remains unconscious after completing 5 cycles, you may call 9-1-1 then return to administering CPR.
Question
If no one is available to call 9-1-1 or the EMS in the community, what must you do first?
a. Call 9-1-1 or EMS immediately before starting CPR.
b. Immediately perform 5 cycles of CPR before calling EMS.
c. Continue tapping the infant’s foot and wait until he wakes up.
d. Defibrillate.
Answer
b. Immediately perform 5 cycles of CPR before calling EMS.
Rationale
B. Rationale: For a two-person rescue team, the compression to ventilation ratio is 15:2 for infants and children. Compression-only CPR is feasible, but the most common cause of cardiac arrest in infants and children is respiratory failure. Thus ventilation by trained lay rescuers is necessary.
Question
In infants and children, what is the recommended compression to ventilation ratio during CPR for a two-person rescue team?
a. 30:2
b. 15:2
c. Every 6 seconds
d. Compression-only CPR is recommended for infants and children
Answer
b. 15:2
Rationale
C. Rationale: The CPR guidelines recommend performing a two-finger technique if there is a single lay rescuer. In this situation, the rescuer performs high-quality CPR by using their middle and index fingers to apply downward pressure to the center of the chest (over the sternum). The two fingers compress the chest at a depth of 1.5 inches on the downstroke with full chest recoil on the upstroke.
Question
Mrs. Fischer is still in the other room calling EMS, leaving you with an infant in cardiac arrest. How should you—a trained lay rescuer—perform high-quality CPR alone?
a. Use the middle and index fingers to apply downward pressure to the center of the chest (over the sternum) and compress at a depth of 2 inches as fast as possible.
b. Use one fist to apply downward pressure to the center of the chest (over the sternum) and compress at a depth of 2 inches on the downstroke with full chest recoil on the upstroke.
c. Use the middle and index fingers to apply downward pressure to the center of the chest (over the sternum) and compress at a depth of 1.5 inches on the downstroke with full chest recoil on the upstroke.
d. Use two hands, one over the other, to apply downward pressure to the center of the chest (over the sternum) and compress at a depth of 1.5 inches on the downstroke with full chest recoil on the upstroke.
Answer
c. Use the middle and index fingers to apply downward pressure to the center of the chest (over the sternum) and compress at a depth of 1.5 inches on the downstroke with full chest recoil on the upstroke.