ACLS BLS and High-Quality CPR 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which scenario represents an appropriate reason to briefly pause chest compressions?
- To recheck hand placement every 5 cycles
- To deliver a shock from a defibrillator (Correct answer)
- To take a 15-second break every 2 minutes
- To verify pupil response to light
Correct answer: To deliver a shock from a defibrillator
Compressions should be paused only for rhythm analysis and defibrillation; all other interventions should occur without stopping compressions.
Question 2: A patient is found unresponsive. A bystander says the patient collapsed 3 minutes ago. You have an AED available. What should you do?
- Give 5 cycles of CPR before attaching the AED
- Attach the AED and follow its prompts immediately (Correct answer)
- Deliver 2 rescue breaths, then attach the AED
- Perform 1 minute of CPR, then analyze rhythm
Correct answer: Attach the AED and follow its prompts immediately
Early defibrillation is critical for shockable rhythms; attach the AED and use it as quickly as possible while CPR continues.
Question 3: Which of the following is considered a component of high-quality CPR according to the AHA?
- Compression rate of 80–90/min
- Avoiding excessive ventilation (Correct answer)
- Pausing compressions every 5 cycles to reassess
- Delivering breaths at a rate of 20/min
Correct answer: Avoiding excessive ventilation
Avoiding excessive ventilation (which can increase intrathoracic pressure and reduce cardiac output) is a core principle of high-quality CPR.
Question 4: For a child (1 year to puberty) in cardiac arrest with two rescuers, what is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio?
- 30:2
- 15:2 (Correct answer)
- 30:1
- 20:2
Correct answer: 15:2
Two-rescuer pediatric CPR uses a 15:2 ratio to account for children's higher respiratory needs relative to adults.
Question 5: A victim of drowning is unresponsive and apneic. Which modification to standard CPR sequence is recommended for this patient?
- Skip ventilations and perform compressions only
- Begin with 2–5 rescue breaths before starting compressions (Correct answer)
- Use a 15:2 ratio regardless of the victim's age
- Begin with chest compressions then assess for pulse first
Correct answer: Begin with 2–5 rescue breaths before starting compressions
Drowning victims have an asphyxial arrest, so providing rescue breaths first addresses the underlying hypoxia before compressions.
Question 6: What is the chest compression fraction (CCF) target recommended during resuscitation?
- Greater than 60%
- Greater than 80% (Correct answer)
- 50–60%
- At least 90%
Correct answer: Greater than 80%
A CCF of greater than 80% (ideally >80–90%) maximizes perfusion during resuscitation and is associated with improved outcomes.
Question 7: A rescuer is performing CPR and the patient's ribs crack during compressions. What is the correct action?
- Stop compressions immediately to prevent further injury
- Continue compressions at the same depth and rate (Correct answer)
- Reduce compression depth to 1 inch to prevent further fractures
- Switch to abdominal compressions
Correct answer: Continue compressions at the same depth and rate
Rib fractures are a known complication of CPR; compressions must continue at full depth because the priority is restoring circulation.
ACLS BLS and High-Quality CPR 4
Which scenario represents an appropriate reason to briefly pause chest compressions?