BLS Cardiac Arrest 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A 55-year-old collapses at a community event. An AED is available. Two rescuers arrive together. What is the correct sequence of actions?
- Verify unresponsiveness, activate EMS, begin CPR, apply AED when ready (Correct answer)
- Apply AED first, then activate EMS, then start CPR
- Activate EMS only after confirming cardiac arrest with a pulse check for 2 minutes
- Give 5 rescue breaths, then apply AED
Correct answer: Verify unresponsiveness, activate EMS, begin CPR, apply AED when ready
The correct sequence is verify responsiveness, activate EMS, start CPR, and apply the AED as soon as it is available.
Question 2: Which of the following rescuer actions is most likely to decrease CPR quality?
- Allowing full chest recoil between compressions
- Keeping elbows locked during compressions
- Leaning on the chest between compressions (Correct answer)
- Compressing at a rate of 110/min
Correct answer: Leaning on the chest between compressions
Leaning on the chest prevents full recoil, reducing venous return and cardiac filling — directly degrading CPR quality.
Question 3: When is it acceptable to withhold or stop CPR in a pre-hospital setting?
- After 5 minutes without ROSC
- When the patient has a valid Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order (Correct answer)
- When bystanders are present but unwilling to continue
- When more than two rescuers are available
Correct answer: When the patient has a valid Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order
A valid DNR or POLST order indicating the patient's wish to forgo resuscitation is a legal and ethical reason to withhold CPR.
Question 4: During a resuscitation, a rescuer performing compressions notices she is fatigued after 2 minutes. What should happen?
- She should slow her rate to conserve energy and continue
- She should switch compressor roles with another team member during the next rhythm check (Correct answer)
- She should stop and rest while another rescuer gives breaths only
- She should increase ventilation rate to compensate
Correct answer: She should switch compressor roles with another team member during the next rhythm check
Rescuers should rotate compressor roles approximately every 2 minutes (at rhythm checks) to prevent fatigue and maintain compression quality.
Question 5: A child is found submerged in a pool and is unresponsive and not breathing. She has no pulse. What modification to standard CPR sequencing applies?
- Call 911 first, then start CPR
- Give 2 minutes of CPR before activating EMS if alone (Correct answer)
- Start compressions before rescue breaths, just as in adults
- Do not use an AED on drowning victims
Correct answer: Give 2 minutes of CPR before activating EMS if alone
For a lone rescuer with a pediatric drowning victim, provide 2 minutes of CPR first before leaving to call 911, because the arrest is likely hypoxic.
Question 6: Which statement about hands-only CPR (compression-only CPR) is correct?
- It is recommended for infants and children
- It is appropriate for adult bystander-witnessed cardiac arrest in the first few minutes (Correct answer)
- It should never be used by trained rescuers
- It is equally effective as conventional CPR for drowning victims
Correct answer: It is appropriate for adult bystander-witnessed cardiac arrest in the first few minutes
Hands-only CPR is acceptable for adult witnessed sudden cardiac arrest because passive oxygenation is sufficient in the first few minutes.
Question 7: What is the correct hand placement for performing chest compressions on an adult?
- One hand on the upper third of the sternum
- Heel of both hands on the lower half of the sternum (Correct answer)
- Both hands on the left side of the chest over the heart
- Fingertips on the xiphoid process
Correct answer: Heel of both hands on the lower half of the sternum
Place the heel of one hand on the lower half of the sternum, then interlock the other hand on top, keeping fingers off the chest.
BLS Cardiac Arrest 4
A 55-year-old collapses at a community event.
An AED is available.
Two rescuers arrive together.
What is the correct sequence of actions?