BLS Chain of Survival 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A rescuer finds a victim unresponsive and not breathing normally. After calling 911, what is the NEXT priority according to the Chain of Survival?
- Begin high-quality CPR immediately (Correct answer)
- Wait for EMS to arrive before starting CPR
- Search for an AED before doing anything else
- Check for a pulse for up to 2 minutes
Correct answer: Begin high-quality CPR immediately
After activating EMS, the rescuer should immediately begin CPR to maintain circulation until an AED is available.
Question 2: Which of the following scenarios represents a WEAK link in the Chain of Survival?
- An AED is available but no bystander knows how to use it (Correct answer)
- A community has widespread CPR training and AED placement
- EMS arrives within 4 minutes of the 911 call
- A hospital has a dedicated post-arrest care protocol
Correct answer: An AED is available but no bystander knows how to use it
An AED that is present but not used represents a failure of the rapid defibrillation link, leaving a critical gap in the chain.
Question 3: How does dispatcher-assisted CPR (DA-CPR) strengthen the Chain of Survival?
- It guides untrained bystanders through CPR before EMS arrives, strengthening the early CPR link (Correct answer)
- It replaces the need for physical CPR training in the community
- It is only effective for in-hospital cardiac arrests
- It eliminates the need for defibrillation in most cases
Correct answer: It guides untrained bystanders through CPR before EMS arrives, strengthening the early CPR link
DA-CPR allows 911 dispatchers to coach bystanders in real time, increasing the rate of bystander CPR even among untrained callers.
Question 4: Which patient population benefits MOST from the in-hospital Chain of Survival's emphasis on surveillance and prevention?
- Hospitalized patients showing early signs of deterioration before arrest occurs (Correct answer)
- Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims found by bystanders
- Patients in the community with no known cardiac history
- Athletes who collapse during sporting events
Correct answer: Hospitalized patients showing early signs of deterioration before arrest occurs
Inpatient monitoring allows early recognition of deterioration, enabling intervention before cardiac arrest occurs.
Question 5: Which of the following actions is LEAST consistent with strengthening the 'rapid defibrillation' link?
- Storing AEDs in locked back rooms to prevent tampering (Correct answer)
- Placing AEDs in high-traffic public areas
- Training employees to use AEDs
- Ensuring AED pads are replaced after each use
Correct answer: Storing AEDs in locked back rooms to prevent tampering
AEDs stored in inaccessible locations cannot be retrieved quickly, undermining the rapid defibrillation link.
Question 6: After ROSC, a patient's blood pressure is 80/50 mmHg. Which component of post-cardiac arrest care addresses this?
- Hemodynamic optimization with fluids and vasopressors (Correct answer)
- Immediate defibrillation
- Return to bystander CPR
- Discontinuation of all interventions
Correct answer: Hemodynamic optimization with fluids and vasopressors
Hemodynamic optimization targets a mean arterial pressure ≥65 mmHg to ensure adequate organ perfusion after ROSC.
Question 7: The Chain of Survival is best described as a:
- Systems-of-care framework showing that survival depends on interdependent time-sensitive steps (Correct answer)
- Step-by-step checklist that only EMS providers need to follow
- Protocol used exclusively in hospital cardiac catheterization labs
- Guideline that applies only to pediatric cardiac arrest
Correct answer: Systems-of-care framework showing that survival depends on interdependent time-sensitive steps
The Chain of Survival is a systems framework applicable to both out-of-hospital and in-hospital cardiac arrest, involving community members, dispatchers, EMS, and hospital teams.
BLS Chain of Survival 4
A rescuer finds a victim unresponsive and not breathing normally.
After calling 911, what is the NEXT priority according to the Chain of Survival?