CPR Cardiopulmonary Emergency Recognition 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An adult suddenly collapses in front of you and is unresponsive. After ensuring the scene is safe, what is the FIRST action you should take?
- Begin chest compressions immediately
- Check for a pulse for 30 seconds
- Tap the person and shout to check responsiveness, then call for help (Correct answer)
- Open the airway and give two breaths
Correct answer: Tap the person and shout to check responsiveness, then call for help
Confirming unresponsiveness and activating emergency response is the first step before assessing breathing and pulse.
Question 2: While assessing an unresponsive adult, you note occasional gasping sounds. How should you interpret this finding?
- Normal breathing, so monitor only
- Agonal gasps, which are a sign of cardiac arrest (Correct answer)
- Evidence of a clear airway requiring no action
- A sign the person is recovering
Correct answer: Agonal gasps, which are a sign of cardiac arrest
Agonal gasps are not effective breathing and indicate cardiac arrest requiring immediate CPR.
Question 3: For a healthcare provider checking an adult's pulse during the initial assessment, where and for how long should the pulse be checked?
- Radial pulse for up to 30 seconds
- Carotid pulse for no more than 10 seconds (Correct answer)
- Femoral pulse for 15 seconds
- Brachial pulse for 10 seconds
Correct answer: Carotid pulse for no more than 10 seconds
The carotid pulse should be checked for no more than 10 seconds to avoid delaying CPR.
Question 4: A coworker clutches their chest, becomes pale and sweaty, and complains of pain radiating to the left arm. What emergency are these signs MOST consistent with?
- A panic attack
- A heart attack (myocardial infarction) (Correct answer)
- A stroke
- Heatstroke
Correct answer: A heart attack (myocardial infarction)
Chest pain radiating to the arm with sweating and pallor are classic warning signs of a heart attack.
Question 5: What is the key difference between a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest?
- They are identical conditions
- A heart attack is a circulation/blockage problem while cardiac arrest is an electrical problem that stops the heart (Correct answer)
- A heart attack always causes immediate unconsciousness
- Cardiac arrest never requires CPR
Correct answer: A heart attack is a circulation/blockage problem while cardiac arrest is an electrical problem that stops the heart
A heart attack is caused by blocked blood flow, while cardiac arrest is an electrical malfunction that stops the heartbeat.
Question 6: You find an unresponsive adult who is breathing normally and has a pulse. What is the most appropriate action?
- Begin chest compressions
- Place them in the recovery position and monitor while awaiting help (Correct answer)
- Give rescue breaths only
- Apply an AED immediately
Correct answer: Place them in the recovery position and monitor while awaiting help
An unresponsive person who is breathing with a pulse should be placed in the recovery position and monitored.
Question 7: Why is early recognition of cardiac arrest critical to survival?
- It allows time to find a doctor before acting
- Every minute without CPR and defibrillation decreases survival by about 7-10% (Correct answer)
- It prevents the need for an AED
- It guarantees the person will not need a hospital
Correct answer: Every minute without CPR and defibrillation decreases survival by about 7-10%
Survival drops roughly 7-10% for each minute that CPR and defibrillation are delayed.
CPR Cardiopulmonary Emergency Recognition 2
An adult suddenly collapses in front of you and is unresponsive.
After ensuring the scene is safe, what is the FIRST action you should take?