Mixed Deck — All BLS Topics Flashcards

What should be done immediately after delivering a shock with an AED?

Answer: Resume CPR

Immediately after delivering a shock with an AED, the rescuer should resume chest compressions without delay. There should be no pause to check for a pulse or rhythm, as early resumption of compressions is critical to maintain blood flow to the brain and heart. The AED will re-analyze the rhythm after two minutes of CPR.

What must a healthcare provider obtain before providing emergency treatment to an adult patient?

Answer: Implied consent

In emergency situations involving an adult patient who is unconscious, unresponsive, or otherwise unable to give explicit consent, healthcare providers operate under the principle of implied consent. It is assumed that the patient would consent to life-saving treatment if they were able to communicate. This allows for immediate, critical care without delay.

Which of the following foods poses the HIGHEST choking risk for young children?

Answer: Whole grapes

Whole grapes are round, slippery, and sized to fit a child's airway exactly, making them one of the most common choking hazards for young children.

In which of the following situations can an emergency medical provider give treatment without consent?

Answer: If the person is unconscious or unresponsive

Emergency medical providers can provide treatment without explicit consent when a person is unconscious or unresponsive, based on the principle of implied consent. In such critical situations, it is presumed that the person would want to receive life-saving care. This allows for immediate intervention to preserve life and prevent further harm.

Which of the following indicates the start of BLS is necessary?

Answer: The person is gasping and unresponsive

Gasping (agonal breathing) combined with unresponsiveness are key indicators of cardiac arrest, signaling that the person's heart has stopped or is failing, and they are not breathing effectively. Immediate initiation of BLS, including chest compressions, is necessary in this critical situation. Recognizing these signs promptly is vital for patient survival.

During two-rescuer CPR, when should the rescuer delivering ventilations switch to compressor?

Answer: Every 5 cycles (about 2 minutes)

Rescuers should switch roles approximately every 2 minutes (5 cycles of 30:2) to prevent compressor fatigue and maintain high-quality compressions.

Why must no one touch the victim during AED analysis?

Answer: It can result in incorrect analysis

During AED analysis, the device is detecting the victim's heart rhythm to determine if a shock is needed. Any movement or contact from a rescuer can create electrical interference, which the AED might misinterpret as a heart rhythm or an artifact. This interference can lead to an inaccurate analysis, potentially delaying a life-saving shock or causing the AED to advise against a necessary one.

How does the initial BLS sequence for a drowning victim differ from a standard (non-asphyxia) cardiac arrest?

Answer: Begin with 2 rescue breaths before or at the start of compressions to address the hypoxia

Drowning is an asphyxia-driven arrest; AHA recommends starting with rescue breaths to address hypoxia as the underlying cause.

Which intervention should be performed routinely in all post-cardiac arrest patients after ROSC?

Answer: 12-lead ECG

A 12-lead ECG should be obtained immediately after ROSC to identify STEMI and guide reperfusion therapy decisions.

In a drowning victim, why are rescue breaths considered especially important compared to standard cardiac arrest?

Answer: Because the primary cause of cardiac arrest is hypoxia from asphyxia

Drowning cardiac arrest is caused by hypoxia, making rescue breaths critical to restore oxygenation before compressions can be effective.

A 70-year-old woman is found unresponsive on the floor. She is breathing in slow, irregular gasps every 8–10 seconds. What action should you take?

Answer: Begin CPR — agonal breathing is not considered normal breathing

Agonal (gasping) respirations are a sign of cardiac arrest, not normal breathing; CPR should be initiated immediately.

Unnoticed for a short amount of time, a 2-year-old boy fell into a swimming pool. When the youngster was discovered, his mother, who was terrified, quickly took him out of the water. As a BLS provider, you provide help. You start by making sure the area is secure. At this point in the scenario, what action will you take?

Answer: check for responsiveness

After ensuring scene safety, the very first action in any BLS scenario, including a drowning victim, is to check for responsiveness. This initial assessment determines if the child is conscious and requires further intervention. Only after confirming unresponsiveness do you proceed to call for help and assess for breathing and pulse.

During a pediatric cardiac arrest, a parent is present and becoming very distressed. The BEST team response is to:

Answer: Have one team member briefly acknowledge the parent and assign another to support them away from the immediate area

Designating one rescuer to support the family member maintains resuscitation quality while providing compassionate management of the emotional situation.

A healthcare provider is performing rescue breathing on a patient with a suspected opioid overdose and NO pulse oximeter is available. How should they judge the adequacy of ventilations?

Answer: Visible chest rise and fall with each breath

Without monitoring equipment, visible chest rise with each breath remains the primary clinical indicator of adequate ventilation.

As emergency services are now being activated by a bystander who was close, you set the newborn down on a flat, firm surface and start performing CPR, starting with chest compressions. What additional action will you take in this scenario following each round of chest compressions?

Answer: Look for the obstructing object in the back of the throat before providing a rescue breath.

When performing CPR on an unresponsive choking victim, after each round of chest compressions (30 for a single rescuer, 15 for two rescuers), you should open the airway and look for the obstructing object in the back of the throat. If you see the object, attempt to remove it with a finger sweep. This is done before attempting rescue breaths.

Manual left uterine displacement (LUD) during CPR in pregnancy is performed primarily to:

Answer: Relieve compression of the inferior vena cava and aorta by the gravid uterus

LUD moves the uterus off the major vessels, restoring venous return and improving cardiac output during CPR.

The baby doesn't cry and seems to be in distress. It doesn't seem like there is any air exchange going on. (True or False) To clear the airway congestion, this kid needs assistance.

Answer: True

True. If an infant is unable to cry or make noise and shows no air exchange, it indicates a severe, complete foreign body airway obstruction. This is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate intervention to clear the airway. Without intervention, the infant will quickly become unresponsive and suffer respiratory arrest.

In 2-rescuer adult CPR before an advanced airway is placed, what is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio?

Answer: 30:2 — same as single-rescuer adult CPR

Adult 2-rescuer CPR uses 30:2, the same as single-rescuer, until an advanced airway is placed and asynchronous ventilation begins.

Which sign indicates effective ventilation using a BVM?

Answer: Chest rise

The most reliable sign indicating effective ventilation using a bag-valve-mask (BVM) is visible chest rise. Observing the chest rise and fall confirms that air is entering the lungs and not just the stomach or escaping around the mask. This visual cue helps rescuers ensure they are delivering adequate breaths.

Who plays a role in the first link of the Chain of Survival?

Answer: Bystanders

The first link of the Chain of Survival, 'Recognition and activation of emergency response,' primarily relies on bystanders. They are the first people on the scene to recognize that someone has collapsed and is in cardiac arrest. Their quick action in calling for help and initiating CPR is critical for the victim's survival, as every minute counts.