BLS Chain of Survival 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of the Chain of Survival concept?
- To illustrate that survival depends on a sequence of time-sensitive interventions (Correct answer)
- To show that defibrillation alone can save most cardiac arrest victims
- To demonstrate that only trained medical professionals can help cardiac arrest victims
- To prioritize hospital-based care over bystander interventions
Correct answer: To illustrate that survival depends on a sequence of time-sensitive interventions
The Chain of Survival emphasizes that each link must be performed promptly and in sequence to maximize the chance of survival.
Question 2: A 58-year-old man collapses in a shopping mall. A bystander calls 911 while another bystander begins chest compressions. A security guard retrieves the AED and applies it. Which links of the Chain of Survival are being activated?
- Recognition/activation, early CPR, and rapid defibrillation (Correct answer)
- Early CPR, advanced life support, and post-cardiac arrest care
- Recognition/activation and post-cardiac arrest care only
- Advanced life support and rapid defibrillation only
Correct answer: Recognition/activation, early CPR, and rapid defibrillation
Calling 911 activates recognition/activation, chest compressions fulfill early CPR, and AED use represents rapid defibrillation.
Question 3: What is the role of 'advanced life support' (ALS) in the Chain of Survival?
- To provide medications, advanced airway management, and continued resuscitation by trained providers (Correct answer)
- To perform the initial defibrillation shock
- To replace bystander CPR when EMS arrives
- To manage the patient exclusively after hospital discharge
Correct answer: To provide medications, advanced airway management, and continued resuscitation by trained providers
ALS providers deliver medications, advanced airway interventions, and ongoing resuscitation to optimize the chance of ROSC.
Question 4: If the 'recognition and activation' link fails — for example, no one calls 911 — what is the most likely outcome?
- All subsequent links are delayed or never initiated, drastically reducing survival (Correct answer)
- Bystanders can still complete all remaining links independently
- AEDs can automatically notify EMS without a 911 call
- The patient can recover without any intervention
Correct answer: All subsequent links are delayed or never initiated, drastically reducing survival
Without EMS activation, advanced care and AED dispatch are delayed, and the entire chain collapses.
Question 5: Which statement about AED use in the Chain of Survival is TRUE?
- AEDs are designed for use by lay rescuers and provide voice prompts to guide defibrillation (Correct answer)
- AEDs should only be used by paramedics or physicians
- AEDs are effective only if used within 1 minute of collapse
- AEDs are not part of the out-of-hospital Chain of Survival
Correct answer: AEDs are designed for use by lay rescuers and provide voice prompts to guide defibrillation
AEDs are designed for lay rescuers and guide the user through each step with audio and visual prompts.
Question 6: Post-cardiac arrest care includes which of the following interventions?
- Targeted temperature management, hemodynamic optimization, and coronary angiography if indicated (Correct answer)
- Continued chest compressions and ventilation only
- Immediate hospital discharge with outpatient follow-up
- Defibrillation repeated every 2 minutes
Correct answer: Targeted temperature management, hemodynamic optimization, and coronary angiography if indicated
Post-ROSC care focuses on neuroprotection via temperature management, stabilizing blood pressure, and treating underlying causes such as coronary artery occlusion.
Question 7: In communities with strong Chain of Survival programs, survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest can reach:
- 40–50% (Correct answer)
- Less than 5%
- Exactly 100%
- 10–15% at most
Correct answer: 40–50%
Communities with robust bystander CPR, AED programs, and post-arrest care have demonstrated survival rates approaching 40–50% for shockable rhythms.
BLS Chain of Survival 3
Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of the Chain of Survival concept?