BLS Flashcards
Rapid evaluation for cardiac arrest
Feel for the carotid pulse with 2-3 fingers (at least 5 seconds, no more than 10 seconds)
Check chest rise and fall (no more than10 seconds)
If there is no pulse and the patient is not breathing or is only gasping, begin CPR.
Correct rate for chest compressions in adults
100-120 bpm
Over how long should a breath be delivered?
1 second
It should be enough to make the patient’s chest visibly rise
After you deliver an AED shock . . .
. . . immediately resume chest compressions
Who gets adult AED pads?
Those age 8 and older
AED pad placement for adults
Anterolateral vs anteroposterior
Anterolateral (shown) is typically what is done.
If the victim is unresponsive and needs help, what do you do BEFORE starting BLS?
- Shout for help
- Activate the emergency response system via mobile device
- Get an AED or send someone else to do so (if possible)
What to do based on presence/absence of pulse and presence/absence normal breathing
Anteroposterior placement of AED pads
Left side of back and left side of chest
What pulse do you check in an infant?
Brachial
Appropriate compression:breath ratio for adults
30 compressions : 2 breaths
When to start chest compressions on an infant OR child
If no pulse OR pulse with rate < 60 bpm
What pulse do you check in a child?
Femoral pulse
Correct compression depth for a child
2 inches / 5 cm
When performing CPR on children, interruptions in compressions should never exceed. . .
. . . 10 seconds
Hand placement for chest compressions in an infant
2 fingers, just below the nipple line
OR
Both hands wrapping around thorax and using thumbs to press, just below the nipple line (this is best if there are two or more rescuers present)
Compression : breath ratios in children and infants
If one rescuer: 30:2 (to minimize delays)
If more than one rescuer: 15:2
First thing to do if a patient is unresponsive and pulseless and nobody else is around
If the collapse is witnessed: Activate the emergency response system and get an AED if it is available. Use AED is soon as available.
If the collapse is unwitnessed: Start with two minutes of 30:2 CPR. Then, activate the emergency response system, and return to resume CPR. Use AED is soon as available.
What if an infant is unresponsive but you only have adult AED pads?
Place one on the anterior chest and one on the back
What to do based on presence/absence of pulse and presence/absence normal breathing in a pediatric patient
Appropriate compression depth for infants
4 cm
Correct ventilation rate for pediatric patients and infants
1 breath every 2-3 seconds
When multiple rescuers are present, how frequently should you swap compressors?
Every 5 cycles or 2 minutes, or sooner if the compressor becomes tired
Chest compression fraction
The fraction of time spent doing high quality chest compressions
High CCFs are achieved by eliminating delays in chest compression whenever possible
10% increase in CCF = 11% increase in survival
AED pads and hairy chests
If there is a razor, quickly shave the chest, then use the pads
If there is not, use one set of pads to rip hair off, then place the second pair of pads
Feedback devices monitor. . .
. . . rate, depth, and recoil
How can naloxone be adminstered?
Intranasal
Intramuscular
Intravenous
If there are enough people, __ is indicated in performing CPR on a pregnant patient
If there are enough people, continuous lateral (left) uterine displacement is indicated in performing CPR on a pregnant patient
If a pregnant patient is resuscitated via CPR, they should be. . .
. . . placed on their left side
If a choking victim’s waist is too large for the Heimlich maneuver, you should perform. . .
. . . chest thrusts
In a person who has a normal pulse, but is not breathing or not breathing normally. . .
give 1 rescue breath every 6 seconds in an adult
1 rescue breath every 2-3 seconds in a child or infant
Do NOT delay breaths for the administration of naloxone. Give breaths first, THEN try naloxone.
How does CPR differ in a choking victim?
Check the airway for an obstructing object
If visible and easily removable, attempt to remove it with your fingers
What should you do for an unresponsive, choking infant?
5 back slaps, 5 chest thrusts
Should you ever do a blind finger sweep in a choking individual?
NO
It may just cause the object to become further inlodged in the airway.
What to do if a choking victim becomes unresponsive?
Lay them on the ground against a hard surface and begin performing CPR;
the only difference in CPR for these patients is that while giving breaths you should also check for the obstructing object in the airway and attempt to remove it if visible.
Positioning to hold a choking infant
Deliver 5 back slaps between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand
Then, turn the baby over and delivery 5 quick downward chest thrusts (2 fingers)
Repeat until 1) the object is removed, or 2) the infant becomes unresponsive (in which case begin CPR)
