CPR CPR for Special Situations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What are the 'H's and T's' in CPR?
- High and Tough CPR techniques
- Reversible causes of cardiac arrest (Hypoxia, Hypovolemia, Hydrogen ion, Hypo/Hyperkalemia, Hypothermia; Tension pneumothorax, Tamponade, Toxins, Thrombosis) (Correct answer)
- Heart and Tissue conditions
- Hard and Timed interventions
Correct answer: Reversible causes of cardiac arrest (Hypoxia, Hypovolemia, Hydrogen ion, Hypo/Hyperkalemia, Hypothermia; Tension pneumothorax, Tamponade, Toxins, Thrombosis)
The H's and T's are a memory aid for the reversible causes of cardiac arrest — identifying and treating these can restore a perfusing rhythm.
Question 2: How should CPR be performed in a confined space (e.g., an airplane seat)?
- CPR cannot be performed in a confined space
- Move the victim to an aisle or flat surface if possible; if not, compressions may be done from behind the seat (Correct answer)
- Only AED is used in confined spaces
- Perform compressions with the victim seated
Correct answer: Move the victim to an aisle or flat surface if possible; if not, compressions may be done from behind the seat
Effective chest compressions require the victim to be on a firm, flat surface — in confined spaces like aircraft, move the victim to the aisle and position them on the floor if at all possible.
Question 3: What is hypothermia's effect on CPR, and what modification is needed?
- Hypothermia improves CPR outcomes — no modifications needed
- Hypothermia can cause cardiac arrest; CPR is performed, and victims should be rewarmed — 'not dead until warm and dead' (Correct answer)
- CPR is less effective in hypothermic patients and should be started only by physicians
- Compression rate should be halved in hypothermic victims
Correct answer: Hypothermia can cause cardiac arrest; CPR is performed, and victims should be rewarmed — 'not dead until warm and dead'
Severe hypothermia can cause cardiac arrest and mimic death; victims should receive standard CPR with gentle rewarming because survival has been reported even after prolonged cold-water immersion — 'not dead until warm and dead.'
Question 4: A bystander witnesses a person with a known seizure disorder fall and become unresponsive. What is the first priority?
- Restrain the victim's movements
- Check for responsiveness and breathing to determine if CPR is needed (Correct answer)
- Wait 5 minutes to see if the seizure resolves
- Insert a bite block
Correct answer: Check for responsiveness and breathing to determine if CPR is needed
Regardless of seizure history, an unresponsive person must be assessed for responsiveness, normal breathing, and pulse to determine whether CPR is needed.
Question 5: What is the effect of CPR feedback devices on resuscitation quality?
- They have no proven benefit
- They provide real-time audio/visual cues on rate, depth, and recoil, which improve CPR quality and outcomes (Correct answer)
- They are only useful for training purposes
- They slow down the CPR process
Correct answer: They provide real-time audio/visual cues on rate, depth, and recoil, which improve CPR quality and outcomes
Real-time CPR feedback devices that monitor rate, depth, and full recoil have been shown to improve CPR quality and are recommended for use in both training and clinical settings.
Question 6: What post-cardiac arrest care action has been shown to improve neurological outcomes?
- Immediate high-dose aspirin
- Targeted temperature management (therapeutic hypothermia) after return of spontaneous circulation (Correct answer)
- Immediate strenuous exercise to restore circulation
- Withholding IV fluids for 24 hours
Correct answer: Targeted temperature management (therapeutic hypothermia) after return of spontaneous circulation
Targeted temperature management (cooling to 32–36°C) after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) reduces brain injury from ischemia-reperfusion and improves neurological survival.
CPR CPR for Special Situations 3
What are the 'H's and T's' in CPR?