Advanced Life Support & Resuscitation Techniques Flashcards

What is the primary goal of advanced life support (ALS)?

Answer: To stabilize and treat life-threatening conditions

Advanced Life Support (ALS) encompasses a set of complex medical procedures and interventions beyond basic life support, performed by trained healthcare professionals. Its primary goal is to identify, stabilize, and definitively treat life-threatening medical emergencies, particularly those involving the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, to improve patient outcomes.

When is defibrillation required during resuscitation?

Answer: For ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia

Defibrillation is specifically indicated for cardiac arrest caused by ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (pVT). These are chaotic electrical rhythms that prevent the heart from effectively pumping blood. Defibrillation delivers an electrical shock to reset the heart's electrical activity, aiming to restore a normal, perfusing rhythm.

What is the correct compression depth for chest compressions in adults?

Answer: At least 2 inches (5 cm)

According to current guidelines for adult CPR, chest compressions should be performed to a depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm), but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm). This depth is crucial to effectively circulate blood to vital organs, especially the brain and heart, during cardiac arrest.

What is the appropriate rate for chest compressions during CPR?

Answer: 100 to 120 compressions per minute

High-quality CPR guidelines recommend a compression rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute for adults. This rate ensures adequate blood flow to the brain and other vital organs, maximizing the effectiveness of chest compressions during cardiac arrest.

What is the first step in managing an unresponsive patient who is not breathing normally?

Answer: Start chest compressions immediately.

For an unresponsive patient who is not breathing normally (or only gasping), the immediate priority is to initiate chest compressions. This is because the most common cause of cardiac arrest in adults is a cardiac event, and early, high-quality chest compressions are vital to circulate blood and oxygen to the brain and heart until advanced help arrives.

What should you do after successfully defibrillating a patient in cardiac arrest?

Answer: Continue chest compressions and reassess after 2 minutes

After delivering a defibrillation shock, it is crucial to immediately resume chest compressions for 2 minutes without interruption. This practice helps to circulate blood and oxygen, giving the heart time to potentially establish a perfusing rhythm, and improves the chances of successful resuscitation before reassessing the patient's rhythm and pulse.

How do you recognize signs of inadequate perfusion during CPR?

Answer: Monitor for signs of improvement or worsening of the patient's condition.

During CPR, recognizing signs of inadequate perfusion is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of your efforts. Monitoring for changes in the patient's condition, such as skin color, level of consciousness, or the return of spontaneous circulation, provides real-time feedback. This ongoing assessment helps guide further interventions and ensures that the CPR is achieving its goal of maintaining vital organ perfusion.

What is the purpose of using an advanced airway during resuscitation?

Answer: To improve oxygenation and ventilation.

The primary purpose of using an advanced airway during resuscitation is to establish a secure and patent pathway for air, thereby significantly improving oxygenation and ventilation. This ensures that oxygen reaches the lungs efficiently and carbon dioxide is effectively removed, which is critical for maintaining cellular function. An advanced airway also helps protect the patient's airway from aspiration of gastric contents.

What is the recommended ratio of chest compressions to rescue breaths during two-rescuer CPR for an adult?

Answer: 30:2

For two-rescuer adult CPR, the recommended ratio of chest compressions to rescue breaths is 30:2. This ratio prioritizes high-quality chest compressions, which are paramount for maintaining blood flow to vital organs, while still providing adequate ventilation. Adhering to this guideline ensures a balance between circulatory support and oxygen delivery, maximizing the chances of a positive outcome.