BLS Respiratory Arrest 5

Question 1

A 60-year-old is found unresponsive, not breathing, with a pulse. Two minutes later the pulse disappears. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Begin full CPR with compressions and ventilations

Answer

Once the pulse is absent, the patient is in cardiac arrest and full CPR (compressions + ventilations) must begin.

Question 2

What is the correct technique for sealing a pocket mask on an adult patient's face?

Accepted Answer

Place the apex over the nose, base above the chin, and form an E-C clamp with both hands

Answer

The E-C clamp technique with apex on nose and base above chin ensures an airtight seal for effective ventilation.

Question 3

Which of the following scenarios represents PRIMARY respiratory arrest?

Accepted Answer

Drug overdose stops breathing before the heart fails

Answer

Primary respiratory arrest occurs when breathing stops first due to a non-cardiac cause while the heart initially continues.

Question 4

You arrive at a scene and find an unresponsive adult. After opening the airway, you see slow, irregular gasping breaths (approximately 4 per minute). What is the correct BLS response?

Accepted Answer

Treat as respiratory arrest and begin rescue breathing or CPR

Answer

Fewer than 6 breaths per minute (bradypnea/agonal) is functionally inadequate and should be treated as respiratory arrest.

Question 5

When providing bag-mask ventilation alone (no advanced airway), why is cricoid pressure (Sellick maneuver) NOT routinely recommended during CPR?

Accepted Answer

It can impede ventilation and slow airway management without proven benefit

Answer

Current AHA guidelines do not recommend routine cricoid pressure because it can worsen ventilation without demonstrated reduction in aspiration.

BLS - Basic Life Support Practice Test

BLS - Basic Life Support Practice Test

BLS Respiratory Arrest 5