clinical skills

Question 1

what are the 4 links in the chain of survival for heart attacks?

Answer 1

1. early recognition & call for help (to prevent cardiac arrest)
2. early CPR (to buy time)
3. early defibrillation (to restart the heart)
4. post resuscitation care (to restore quality of life)

Question 2

what do you do for CPR? (whole scenario)

Answer 2

• check for danger
• shake the patient and shout if they can hear you etc
• listen and look for breathing for 10 seconds & check pulse
• call 999 or 2222 and be precise
• start CPR - 30 beats (120 bpm & 5-6cm deep) then if want 2 long breaths
• repeat

Question 3

what are the only 3 scenarios you stop CPR?

Answer 3

• when tired
• when patient becomes responsive
• when ambulance or other team arrive and someone else takes over

Question 4

how do you do heimlich maneuver?

Answer 4

• ask for them to cough and if no sound and face getting discoloured
• 5 big hits in between shoulder blades with heel of palm
• then wrap arms around and make fist with one hand and put other hand over fist and squeeze & lift 5 times