BLS Cardiac Arrest 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient is found unresponsive and not breathing normally. After activating EMS, what is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer performing adult CPR?
- 15:2
- 30:2 (Correct answer)
- 30:1
- 15:1
Correct answer: 30:2
The AHA recommends a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-rescuer adult CPR.
Question 2: During cardiac arrest, which heart rhythm is most commonly associated with sudden cardiac arrest in adults?
- Asystole
- Pulseless electrical activity (PEA)
- Ventricular fibrillation (VF) (Correct answer)
- Sinus bradycardia
Correct answer: Ventricular fibrillation (VF)
Ventricular fibrillation is the most common initial rhythm in sudden cardiac arrest in adults and is shockable.
Question 3: How soon after applying an AED should you analyze the rhythm if the device is ready?
- After 2 minutes of CPR
- Immediately, before starting CPR
- Immediately upon attachment, pausing CPR only for analysis (Correct answer)
- After 5 rescue breaths
Correct answer: Immediately upon attachment, pausing CPR only for analysis
Once the AED is attached, pause CPR only during rhythm analysis and shock delivery, then resume compressions immediately.
Question 4: A rescuer is performing high-quality CPR on an adult. Which finding indicates compressions are adequate?
- Capillary refill of 3 seconds
- Visible chest rise with each compression
- Chest recoils fully between compressions (Correct answer)
- Patient's color returns to normal
Correct answer: Chest recoils fully between compressions
Full chest recoil between compressions allows the heart to refill with blood, which is a key indicator of high-quality CPR.
Question 5: When two rescuers are performing CPR on an adult with an advanced airway in place, what is the correct ventilation rate?
- 1 breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths/min) (Correct answer)
- 1 breath every 5 seconds (12 breaths/min)
- 2 breaths every 30 compressions
- 1 breath every 3 seconds (20 breaths/min)
Correct answer: 1 breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths/min)
With an advanced airway, deliver 1 breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths/min) asynchronously, without pausing compressions.
Question 6: Which of the following is a non-shockable cardiac arrest rhythm?
- Ventricular fibrillation
- Pulseless ventricular tachycardia
- Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) (Correct answer)
- Both A and B
Correct answer: Pulseless electrical activity (PEA)
PEA and asystole are non-shockable rhythms; treatment focuses on CPR and identifying reversible causes.
Question 7: During a cardiac arrest resuscitation attempt, the team leader calls for a rhythm check. The monitor shows a regular narrow-complex rhythm but there is no pulse. What should be done next?
- Deliver a shock immediately
- Resume CPR and search for reversible causes (Correct answer)
- Administer atropine 1 mg IV
- Stop resuscitation efforts
Correct answer: Resume CPR and search for reversible causes
A regular rhythm with no pulse is PEA — the correct response is to resume high-quality CPR and address the Hs and Ts.
BLS Cardiac Arrest 2
A patient is found unresponsive and not breathing normally.
After activating EMS, what is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer performing adult CPR?