BLS Cardiac Arrest 4

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?

Accepted Answer

Verify unresponsiveness, activate EMS, begin CPR, apply AED when ready

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Leaning on the chest between compressions

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

When the patient has a valid Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

She should switch compressor roles with another team member during the next rhythm check

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Give 2 minutes of CPR before activating EMS if alone

Answer

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.

BLS - Basic Life Support Practice Test