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Special Resuscitation Circumstances Flashcards

7 cards from real CPR practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Special Resuscitation Circumstances flashcards as text

  1. At what gestational age is perimortem cesarean delivery (PMCD) recommended during maternal cardiac arrest?

    Answer: 20 weeks or greater

    PMCD is recommended at 20 weeks or greater because the uterus is large enough at this gestational age to cause aortocaval compression and impair CPR effectiveness.

  2. A patient is resuscitated after opioid-induced respiratory arrest. Once ROSC is achieved, which concern requires close monitoring?

    Answer: Renarcotization as naloxone's effect wears off before the opioid is metabolized

    Naloxone has a shorter half-life than most opioids, so patients can re-enter respiratory depression (renarcotization) and require repeat dosing or infusion.

  3. Which clinical finding during cardiac arrest most strongly suggests cardiac tamponade as the etiology?

    Answer: Pulseless electrical activity with distended neck veins and muffled heart sounds (Beck's triad)

    Beck's triad (hypotension, distended neck veins, muffled heart sounds) in a PEA arrest strongly indicates cardiac tamponade requiring emergency pericardiocentesis.

  4. In submersion (drowning) arrest, when is it appropriate to withhold resuscitation in the field?

    Answer: When the victim has been submerged in warm water for more than 60 minutes and has obvious signs of death

    Resuscitation may be withheld in warm-water submersion with prolonged downtime and obvious signs of death, but cold-water submersions warrant full resuscitation attempts due to protective hypothermia.

  5. A patient with ESRD on hemodialysis develops cardiac arrest from suspected hyperkalemia. Which electrolyte shift mechanism does insulin + dextrose exploit?

    Answer: Insulin activates the Na-K-ATPase pump, driving potassium intracellularly

    Insulin activates the Na-K-ATPase pump in skeletal muscle, shifting potassium from the extracellular space into cells, temporarily reducing serum levels.

  6. Which temperature threshold is used to define severe (profound) hypothermia in cardiac arrest, where ECMO-assisted rewarming is strongly recommended?

    Answer: Below 28°C (82.4°F)

    Core temperatures below 28°C define severe hypothermia; ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) rewarming is strongly recommended as it provides concurrent cardiopulmonary support.

  7. A scuba diver surfaces rapidly and develops cardiac arrest. Arterial gas embolism (AGE) is suspected. What position should be used during transport and resuscitation?

    Answer: Supine (flat); avoid Trendelenburg or left lateral decubitus positioning

    Current guidelines recommend the supine position for AGE; head-down positions are no longer recommended as they may increase cerebral edema without improving bubble dynamics.