NMC CBT NMC-CBT Basic Life Support and Emergency Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient on a general ward suddenly becomes unresponsive. After confirming unresponsiveness and calling for help, you find no normal breathing. What is your NEXT immediate action?
- Apply an AED immediately
- Start chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute (Correct answer)
- Give two rescue breaths first
- Check for a pulse for up to 10 seconds
Correct answer: Start chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute
In in-hospital cardiac arrest, after confirming no normal breathing and calling for help, begin chest compressions immediately at 100-120 per minute.
Question 2: When performing chest compressions on an adult, what is the correct compression depth according to current Resuscitation Council UK guidelines?
- 2-3 cm
- 3-4 cm
- 5-6 cm (Correct answer)
- 7-8 cm
Correct answer: 5-6 cm
Adult chest compressions should depress the sternum by 5-6 cm to ensure adequate cardiac output.
Question 3: A nurse is alone with a patient in cardiac arrest. At what point should the nurse leave to call for the resuscitation team?
- Immediately upon finding the patient unresponsive
- After confirming unresponsiveness and no normal breathing (Correct answer)
- After completing two minutes of CPR
- Only after the AED is attached
Correct answer: After confirming unresponsiveness and no normal breathing
After confirming unresponsiveness and absence of normal breathing, the nurse should call for help (or send someone) before starting CPR.
Question 4: During a resuscitation attempt, an AED advises 'no shock indicated.' What should the resuscitation team do immediately?
- Check for signs of life
- Resume CPR immediately for 2 minutes (Correct answer)
- Reposition the AED pads and re-analyse
- Administer adrenaline 1mg IV
Correct answer: Resume CPR immediately for 2 minutes
When the AED advises no shock, CPR should be resumed immediately for 2 minutes before the next rhythm analysis.
Question 5: Which of the following is a reversible cause of cardiac arrest represented by the '4 Hs and 4 Ts'?
- Hyperthermia
- Thrombosis (Correct answer)
- Hypertension
- Tachyarrhythmia
Correct answer: Thrombosis
Thrombosis (pulmonary embolism or coronary) is one of the 4 Ts — reversible causes of cardiac arrest that must be considered during resuscitation.
Question 6: A patient develops anaphylaxis after IV antibiotic administration. Which drug is the FIRST priority treatment?
- IV hydrocortisone 200mg
- IV chlorphenamine 10mg
- IM adrenaline 0.5mg (1:1000) (Correct answer)
- IV salbutamol 250 micrograms
Correct answer: IM adrenaline 0.5mg (1:1000)
IM adrenaline 0.5mg (1:1000) into the anterolateral thigh is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis.
Question 7: When using a bag-valve-mask (BVM) for ventilation during CPR, what tidal volume should each breath deliver?
- 200-300 mL
- 400-500 mL (Correct answer)
- 600-700 mL
- 800-1000 mL
Correct answer: 400-500 mL
Each ventilation should deliver approximately 400-500 mL, enough to cause visible chest rise without causing gastric inflation.
NMC CBT NMC-CBT Basic Life Support and Emergency Management 2
A patient on a general ward suddenly becomes unresponsive.
After confirming unresponsiveness and calling for help, you find no normal breathing.
What is your NEXT immediate action?