BLS and High-Quality CPR Flashcards

During CPR on an adult, what is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio when two rescuers are present and an advanced airway has NOT been placed?

Answer: 30:2

The 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio is used for adults until an advanced airway is placed, regardless of the number of rescuers.

Which action is MOST important in minimizing interruptions during chest compressions?

Answer: Pausing compressions only for rhythm checks and defibrillation

Minimizing all pauses to rhythm checks and defibrillation preserves coronary perfusion pressure generated by compressions.

A patient in cardiac arrest has a continuous waveform capnography reading of 8 mmHg despite ongoing CPR. What does this indicate?

Answer: CPR quality is poor and should be improved

ETCO2 below 10 mmHg during CPR indicates poor cardiac output and signals the need to improve compression quality.

When providing rescue breaths during CPR, each breath should be delivered over how long a period?

Answer: 1 second

Each rescue breath should be delivered over 1 second to produce visible chest rise without causing gastric inflation.

A 45-year-old collapses. You find no pulse after 10 seconds of checking. What is your FIRST action?

Answer: Begin chest compressions

Chest compressions should be started immediately upon confirming pulselessness; CPR begins with compressions (C-A-B sequence).

Which of the following best describes 'passive' or 'partial' CPR that reduces resuscitation effectiveness?

Answer: Shallow compressions at 1 inch depth

Compressions less than 2 inches deep in adults fail to generate adequate cardiac output and significantly reduce resuscitation success.

When using a bag-mask device during two-rescuer CPR (without advanced airway), how should the rescuer delivering ventilations time breaths?

Answer: Pause compressions, deliver 2 breaths, then resume compressions

Without an advanced airway, compressions must be paused after every 30 to deliver 2 breaths in the 30:2 ratio.