Cardiopulmonary Emergency Recognition Flashcards

You witness an adult suddenly collapse. The most important early link in the Chain of Survival is:

Answer: Immediate recognition and activation of emergency response (calling 911)

Recognizing arrest and activating emergency response is the first link in the adult Chain of Survival.

An adult is found unresponsive and not breathing. You are alone with a phone. What should you do?

Answer: Phone 911 (use speaker mode) and start CPR right away

Call 911 using speaker mode so you can start CPR immediately without leaving the victim.

Which group of symptoms should make you suspect a stroke rather than a cardiac emergency?

Answer: Facial droop, arm weakness, and slurred speech

Facial droop, arm weakness, and speech difficulty (the FAST signs) point to a stroke.

A person is conscious but suddenly grabs their throat and cannot speak, cough, or breathe. This is a sign of:

Answer: A severe airway obstruction requiring abdominal thrusts

Inability to speak, cough, or breathe indicates a severe (complete) airway obstruction needing immediate intervention.

When assessing breathing in an unresponsive adult, how long should you look for normal breathing?

Answer: No more than about 10 seconds, done at the same time as the pulse check

Breathing and pulse should be assessed simultaneously in no more than 10 seconds.

A diabetic person becomes confused, sweaty, and shaky but remains conscious and able to swallow. The best immediate response is:

Answer: Give a fast-acting sugar source and monitor

These are signs of low blood sugar, and a conscious person who can swallow should be given sugar.

Which statement about recognizing cardiac arrest in adults is TRUE?

Answer: Unresponsiveness with absent or abnormal (gasping) breathing indicates cardiac arrest

Unresponsiveness combined with absent or gasping breathing is the practical sign of cardiac arrest.