BLS Practice Test: Video 2 Answers (25 Questions) Flashcards

Which communication technique helps prevent errors during a stressful resuscitation?

Answer: Repeating back orders to confirm understanding

Read-back (closed-loop) confirmation ensures the message received matches the message sent, reducing the chance of error under stress.

What should a team member do if they notice an error in another member’s actions?

Answer: Correct it immediately using respectful communication

In a high-stakes environment like BLS, immediate correction of errors is crucial for patient safety. Delaying correction can lead to adverse outcomes or worsen the patient's condition. It is essential to address errors respectfully and constructively, fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement within the team without causing unnecessary conflict.

Which of the following is an example of a clear role assignment?

Answer: You get the AED and apply the pads

A clear role assignment specifies exactly who is responsible for what task, eliminating ambiguity and ensuring efficient action. The command 'You get the AED and apply the pads' directly assigns a specific person to a specific, actionable task. This direct approach ensures tasks are completed promptly and prevents confusion or missed steps during an emergency.

Which of the following is a key element of closed-loop communication?

Answer: Repeating back the instruction

Closed-loop communication is essential in emergency situations like BLS to prevent misunderstandings and errors. By repeating back the instruction, the receiver confirms they heard and understood the message correctly. This allows the sender to verify accuracy, ensuring critical tasks are performed as intended and enhancing team coordination and patient safety.

What is the benefit of debriefing after a resuscitation attempt?

Answer: Identifies training gaps and improves performance

Debriefing after a resuscitation attempt is a critical learning opportunity for the entire team. It allows members to reflect on what went well, identify areas for improvement, and address any training gaps or systemic issues. This process enhances future performance, improves team dynamics, and ultimately leads to better patient outcomes by fostering continuous learning.

After recognizing cardiac arrest in an adult, what is the recommended ratio of compressions to ventilations for a two-rescuer BLS team?

Answer: 30:2

The standard BLS compression-to-ventilation ratio for adult cardiac arrest (with or without an advanced airway) is 30:2 for a two-rescuer team without an advanced airway.

Which of the following rescuer actions is most likely to decrease CPR quality?

Answer: Leaning on the chest between compressions

Leaning on the chest prevents full recoil, reducing venous return and cardiac filling — directly degrading CPR quality.

Which finding would MOST strongly confirm that a victim is in cardiac arrest rather than unconscious from another cause?

Answer: Absence of normal breathing and no detectable pulse

The definitive signs of cardiac arrest are unresponsiveness combined with absence of normal breathing and absence of a detectable pulse.

What is agonal breathing?

Answer: Gasping, irregular breaths during cardiac arrest

Agonal breathing refers to ineffective, gasping, or irregular breaths that can occur in the initial minutes of cardiac arrest. It is not normal breathing and indicates a severe medical emergency requiring immediate intervention. Recognizing agonal breathing as a sign of cardiac arrest is crucial for initiating timely BLS and improving patient outcomes.

A gym member collapses suddenly. A bystander says they saw him 'go down hard' while lifting weights. The MOST likely cause of his cardiac arrest is:

Answer: Sudden cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation

Sudden collapse during exertion in an adult is most commonly caused by sudden cardiac arrest, often triggered by ventricular fibrillation related to underlying coronary artery disease or structural heart disease.

Which Chain of Survival link is most often performed by bystanders before EMS arrives?

Answer: Early CPR

Bystanders are typically the first on scene and can begin CPR before EMS or AED resources arrive.

Which action best strengthens the 'early CPR' link in a community setting?

Answer: Training more community members in CPR

Widespread CPR training increases the pool of bystanders who can immediately begin compressions before EMS arrives.

What does post-cardiac arrest care aim to achieve?

Answer: Prevent further cardiac arrests

Post-cardiac arrest care focuses on optimizing the patient's recovery and preventing future cardiac events. This involves managing the patient's temperature, blood pressure, and oxygenation, as well as identifying and treating the underlying cause of the cardiac arrest. The ultimate goal is to improve long-term neurological outcomes and overall survival by addressing the root issues.

A rescuer finds a victim unresponsive and not breathing normally. After calling 911, what is the NEXT priority according to the Chain of Survival?

Answer: Begin high-quality CPR immediately

After activating EMS, the rescuer should immediately begin CPR to maintain circulation until an AED is available.

Which of the following scenarios represents a WEAK link in the Chain of Survival?

Answer: An AED is available but no bystander knows how to use it

An AED that is present but not used represents a failure of the rapid defibrillation link, leaving a critical gap in the chain.

How long should each rescue breath be delivered during CPR?

Answer: About 1 second

Each breath should be given over about 1 second, which is enough to produce chest rise without causing excessive gastric inflation.

In BLS, what is the appropriate volume of air delivered with each ventilation?

Answer: Just enough to cause chest rise

In BLS, the appropriate volume of air delivered with each ventilation is just enough to cause visible chest rise over about 1 second. Over-ventilation (delivering too much air or too quickly) can lead to gastric inflation, vomiting, and increased intrathoracic pressure, which can impede venous return to the heart and reduce the effectiveness of chest compressions.

When performing mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing on an adult, how do you prevent air from escaping through the nose?

Answer: Pinch the patient's nose shut with your fingers

The rescuer pinches the patient's nose shut to prevent air from escaping during mouth-to-mouth ventilation.

When performing rescue breathing for an infant, what is the correct mouth-to-airway technique?

Answer: Mouth covering both the mouth and nose of the infant

For infants, the rescuer covers both the mouth and nose with their mouth, because the infant's face is small enough to allow a complete seal over both openings.

During CPR on an adult with an advanced airway in place, what is the recommended ventilation rate?

Answer: 1 breath every 6 seconds (10/min)

Once an advanced airway is in place during adult CPR, ventilations are delivered at 1 breath every 6 seconds (10/min) without pausing compressions.