BLS BLS Special Situations & Scenarios 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a drowning victim, why are rescue breaths considered especially important compared to standard cardiac arrest?
- Because the primary cause of cardiac arrest is hypoxia from asphyxia (Correct answer)
- Because chest compressions are ineffective through wet clothing
- Because the AED cannot be used near water
- Because bystanders cannot safely perform compressions on drowning victims
Correct 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.
Question 2: When performing CPR on a near-term pregnant patient, how should her body be positioned?
- Flat on her back with no modifications
- Tilted 15–30 degrees to the left using a wedge or manual left uterine displacement (Correct answer)
- Tilted 45 degrees to the right side
- Seated upright at 90 degrees
Correct answer: Tilted 15–30 degrees to the left using a wedge or manual left uterine displacement
Left lateral tilt or manual uterine displacement relieves aortocaval compression from the gravid uterus, improving cardiac output during CPR.
Question 3: In a suspected opioid overdose victim who is pulseless with absent or agonal breathing, what is the correct BLS action?
- Wait for ALS providers before starting CPR
- Begin CPR immediately and use naloxone if available (Correct answer)
- Provide rescue breaths only — no compressions for opioid overdose
- Apply AED pads immediately without starting CPR
Correct answer: Begin CPR immediately and use naloxone if available
Standard BLS with CPR must not be delayed; naloxone may be administered as an adjunct if available, but CPR takes priority.
Question 4: A victim is found pulseless in cold water (hypothermia). Which statement best reflects BLS guidelines?
- Withhold CPR if the patient has been submerged more than 30 minutes
- 'Not dead until warm and dead' — CPR should begin immediately (Correct answer)
- Use the AED only after the patient is rewarmed to normal temperature
- Provide rescue breaths only until core temperature rises above 30°C
Correct answer: 'Not dead until warm and dead' — CPR should begin immediately
Hypothermic patients can survive prolonged cardiac arrest due to the protective effects of cold, so CPR must be started and continued until hospital rewarming.
Question 5: Before approaching a victim of electrocution, what must the rescuer confirm?
- That the victim's blood pressure is measurable
- That the scene is safe and the electrical power source has been de-energized (Correct answer)
- That the AED is fully charged and ready to use
- That the victim is showing signs of breathing
Correct answer: That the scene is safe and the electrical power source has been de-energized
Rescuer safety is the top priority; approaching an electrocution victim without confirming the power is off can electrocute the rescuer.
Question 6: When performing CPR on a morbidly obese patient, which modification may be required?
- Reduce compression rate to 60 per minute to conserve energy
- Apply greater force to achieve adequate compression depth through the increased chest wall mass (Correct answer)
- Skip ventilations entirely to maintain compression rate
- Position the patient prone for more effective compressions
Correct answer: Apply greater force to achieve adequate compression depth through the increased chest wall mass
Morbidly obese patients have increased chest wall mass, requiring greater force to achieve the 2–2.4 inch compression depth needed for effective CPR.
BLS BLS Special Situations & Scenarios 1
In a drowning victim, why are rescue breaths considered especially important compared to standard cardiac arrest?