CH 21: Resuscitation

Question 1

Cardiac arrest occurs when the pumping of the heart stops. This is commonly caused by lethal dysrhythmias including:

Answer 1

Ventricular fibrillation
Ventricular tachycardia
Asystole
Pulseless electrical activity

Question 2

To provide excellent care and the maximum chance of survival for patients in cardiac arrest, EMS agencies must strengthen their performance of the five elements of the chain of survival:

Answer 2

Recognition and activation of the emergency response system
Immediate high-quality CPR
Rapid defibrillation
Basic and advanced emergency medical services
Advanced life support and postarrest care

Question 3

agonal breathing

Answer 3

irregular, gasping breaths that precede apnea and death.

Question 4

apnea

Answer 4

no breathing

Question 5

asphyxial cardiac arrest

Answer 5

a cardiac arrest caused by systemic hypoxia, typically due to a respiratory disorder.

Question 6

asystole

Answer 6

a condition in which the heart has ceased generating electrical impulses. Commonly called flatline.

Question 7

cardiac arrest

Answer 7

a state in which the heart is no longer pumping blood.

Question 8

cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Answer 8

actions taken to revive a person by keeping the person’s heart and lungs working.

Question 9

chain of survival

Answer 9

a metaphor that describes the key elements of cardiac arrest management. Each link in the chain describes a different but interconnected intervention; when combined, these interventions offer optimal care.

Question 10

commotio cordis

Answer 10

a cardiac arrest caused by acute blunt force trauma to the anterior chest.

Question 11

compression fraction

Answer 11

the amount of time chest compressions are being performed compared with the total time of patient contact.

Question 12

defibrillation

Answer 12

delivery of an electrical shock to stop the fibrillation of heart muscles and restore a normal heart rhythm.

Question 13

dysrhythmia

Answer 13

a disturbance in heart rate and rhythm.

Question 14

pulseless electrical activity (PEA)

Answer 14

a condition in which the heart’s electrical rhythm remains relatively normal, yet the mechanical pumping activity fails to follow the electrical activity, causing cardiac arrest.

Question 15

return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC)

Answer 15

the heart beating again after successful resuscitation

Question 16

sudden cardiac arrest

Answer 16

a cardiac arrest occurring due to the abrupt onset of a dysrhythmia.

Question 17

ventricular fibrillation (VF)

Answer 17

a condition in which the heart’s electrical impulses are disorganized, preventing the heart muscle from contracting normally.

Question 18

ventricular tachycardia (V-tach)

Answer 18

a condition in which the heartbeat is quite rapid; if rapid enough, ventricular tachycardia will not allow the heart’s chambers to fill with enough blood between beats to produce blood flow sufficient to meet the body’s needs.