Basic Life Support and Emergency Management 1 Flashcards

When performing chest compressions on an adult during CPR, what is the correct compression depth according to Resuscitation Council UK guidelines?

Answer: 5–6 cm

The Resuscitation Council UK specifies that chest compressions should depress the sternum by 5–6 cm in adults. Insufficient depth reduces perfusion to vital organs, while excessive depth risks injury to ribs and internal structures.

A patient is found unresponsive and not breathing normally. You have sent for help and an AED. What is the correct compression rate per minute during adult CPR?

Answer: 100–120 compressions per minute

Resuscitation Council UK guidelines specify a compression rate of 100–120 per minute. Rates below 100 reduce cardiac output and rates above 120 decrease compression quality and depth.

During a cardiac arrest in hospital, which team member should ideally take charge of coordinating the resuscitation effort?

Answer: The team leader, usually the most experienced clinician present

Effective resuscitation requires a designated team leader who assigns roles, communicates clearly, and makes clinical decisions. This is typically the most experienced clinician present, regardless of profession, not necessarily the first responder.

A child aged 8 years is found unresponsive and not breathing. You are alone. After delivering 5 initial rescue breaths, what should you do next if there are no signs of life?

Answer: Begin 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths

When alone with a child in cardiac arrest, after 5 initial rescue breaths, you should perform CPR for approximately 1 minute (using a 30:2 ratio when alone) before leaving to call for help, as paediatric arrests are often hypoxic in origin. Healthcare providers trained in paediatric life support use 15:2 when two rescuers are present, but the lone rescuer uses 30:2.

You are caring for a patient who has had a witnessed cardiac arrest. An AED is attached and advises a shock. After delivering the shock, what is the immediate next action?

Answer: Resume CPR immediately starting with chest compressions

After delivering a defibrillation shock, CPR must be resumed immediately starting with chest compressions without pausing for a pulse check. The AED will prompt re-analysis after 2 minutes of CPR. Early uninterrupted compressions are critical for survival.

A patient in your care develops a tension pneumothorax during resuscitation. Which clinical sign would most strongly suggest this diagnosis?

Answer: Tracheal deviation away from the affected side with absent breath sounds

Tension pneumothorax causes increasing pressure in the pleural space, collapsing the affected lung and shifting the mediastinum. Classic signs include absent breath sounds on the affected side, tracheal deviation away from the affected side, hypotension, and distended neck veins. It is a reversible cause of cardiac arrest (a 4H and 4T cause).