BLS Principles Flashcard 1
Rationale
D. Rationale: The patient has a normal pulse rate and respiratory rate. There is no indication to initiate rescue breathing, give naloxone, or start chest compressions. Monitoring the situation until EMS arrives is the proper response in this case.
Question
A 55-year-old man is seen on the ground and is unresponsive to verbal and physical stimuli. His respiratory rate is 16 breaths/minute, and his heart rate is 65 beats/minute. What should you do first?
a. Initiate rescue breathing.
b. Administer naloxone.
c. Start chest compressions and attach the AED pads.
d. Monitor the patient until emergency responders arrive.
Answer
d. Monitor the patient until emergency responders arrive.
Rationale
D. Rationale: According to the World Health Organization in 2016, ischemic heart disease is the number one cause of death worldwide, followed by a stroke.
Question
According to the World Health Organization in 2019, the number one cause of death worldwide was:
a. pneumonia
b. trauma
c. stroke
d. ischemic heart disease
Answer
d. ischemic heart disease
Rationale
B. Rationale: After the AED announces that the shock has been delivered, CPR must be resumed as soon as possible for 2 minutes before performing the next rhythm check.
Question
After an AED delivers a shock to the patient, the next rhythm check is performed after:
a. 1 minute
b. 2 minutes
c. 3 minutes
d. 5 minutes
Answer
b. 2 minutes
Rationale
A. Rationale: A visible chest rise must be achieved. If chest rise is not visible, then one must assume inadequate ventilations due to airway obstruction.
Question
After providing bag-mask ventilation to a cardiac arrest patient, you do not observe a 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 is having a myocardial infarction
d. cardiac tamponade
Answer
a. airway obstruction
Rationale
C. Rationale: Agonal gasps are an abnormal breathing pattern often occurring at a very slow rate. They may sound like moaning or snorting. Agonal gasps are a sign of imminent cardiac arrest.
Question
An office worker chokes while eating. He’s been trying to relieve the obstruction for quite a while. When you arrive on the scene, he is laying on the ground and unresponsive. His face is blue, and he appears to gulp air. You assess that he is displaying agonal gasps. Which of the following is true regarding agonal gasps?
a. Agonal gasps are normal breathing patterns
b. Agonal gasps occur at a very fast rate
c. Agonal gasps are a sign of imminent respiratory/cardiac arrest
d. None of the above
Answer
c. Agonal gasps are a sign of imminent respiratory/cardiac arrest
Rationale
C. Rationale: It is recommended to tap the patient’s shoulder and ask loudly, “Are you okay?” to prevent inducing injuries to the patient. The other methods are unpleasant if the patient is not unconscious or in cardiac arrest.
Question
How does one attempt to assess responsiveness in a patient with suspected cardiac arrest?
a. Perform a nipple pinch.
b. Perform a chest rub.
c. Tap the patient’s shoulders and ask, “Are you okay?”
d. Slap the patient’s cheek.
Answer
c. Tap the patient’s shoulders and ask, “Are you okay?
Rationale
A. Rationale: In all scenarios of the adult Cardiac Arrest Algorithm, EMS personnel should be contacted before beginning CPR.
Question
In all scenarios of the adult Cardiac Arrest Algorithm, EMS personnel should be contacted before:
a. beginning CPR
b. approaching the patient
c. checking for a pulse
d. verifying the safety of the immediate environment
Answer
a. beginning CPR
Rationale
B. Rationale: Chest compressions should not be interrupted for greater than 10 seconds.
Question
It is necessary to check the pulse and breathing status of a cardiac arrest patient when performing CPR, and interruption of chest compressions cannot be avoided. Therefore, it is recommended that chest compressions should not be interrupted for greater than:
a. 5 seconds
b. 10 seconds
c. 15 seconds
d. 30 seconds
Answer
b. 10 seconds
Rationale
C. Rationale: Good outcomes were observed when the compression depth achieved is 2.0 to 2.4 inches.
Question
The recommended depth of each chest compression when performing high-quality CPR is:
a. 1.0–1.5 inches
b. 1.4–2.0 inches
c. 2.0–2.4 inches
d. At least 3 inches
Answer
c. 2.0–2.4 inches
Rationale
D. Rationale: The American Heart Association studies and implements these critical aspects of resuscitation science to produce yearly updates. Improvements were made in the essential elements of resuscitation science, such as the provision of high-quality CPR, links in the chain of survival, and integrating basic life support with advanced cardiac life support.
Question
Which one of the following aspects of resuscitation science is essential in the guidelines?
a. high-quality CPR
b. links in the chain of survival
c. integrating BLS with ACLS
d. all of the above concepts are addressed in the guidelines
Answer
d. all of the above concepts are addressed in the guidelines