BLS CERTIFICATION EXAM
According to the CDC, _____ continues to be the leading cause of death in the US
and is responsible for 600,000 deaths every year - ANSWER heart disease
chain of survival - ANSWER provides the person the best chance to receive the
care needed and return to a healthy life
Keys for BLS: - ANSWER - quickly start the chain of survival
- deliver high-quality chest compressions to circulate oxygen to the brain and vital
organs
- know when and how to use an automatic external defibrillator (AED)
- provide rescue breathing
- understand how to work with other rescuers as part of a team
- know how to treat choking
Adult chain of survival - ANSWER - recognize symptoms and activate EMS
- perform early CPR
- defibrillator with AED
- advanced life support
- post-cardiac arrest care
what is the most important step of the Pediatric Chain of Survival? - ANSWER
prevention
Pediatric chain of survival - ANSWER - prevent arrest
- perform early CPR
- activate EMS
- advanced life support
- post-cardiac arrest care
characteristics defining high-quality compressions - ANSWER - rate: 100-120 per
minute
- depth: 2-2.4 inches
- adult ratio: 30:2 (30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths)
- pediatric ratio: 15:2 (15 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths)
high-quality CPR is key and consists of doing the following: - ANSWER - keep
compression rate of at least 100 minutes for all persons
- keep compression depth of between 2-2.4 inches for adults and children and about
1.5 inches for infants
- allow complete chest recoil after each compression
- minimize interruptions in CPR, except to use an AED or to change rescuer
positions
- do not over ventilate
- provide CPR as a team when possible
- cricoid pressure is no longer routinely performed
, - pulse checks are shorter. Feel for a pulse for 5 but no more than 10 seconds; if a
pulse is absent or if you are not sure you feel a pulse, then begin compressions.
Even trained clinicians cannot always reliably tell if they can feel a pulse.
- For infants, use a manual defibrillator if available. If not available, an AED with
pediatric dose attenuator should be sued for an infant. If an AED with dose
attenuator is not available, then use an adult AED even for an infant
Simple adult BLS algorithm - ANSWER unresponsive, no breathing or only gasping
-> activate emergency response -> get AED and start CPR -> monitor rhythm, shock
if needed, repeat after 2 minutes
One rescuer BLS/CPR for adults: - ANSWER - be safe
- assess the person
- call EMS
- CPR
- defibrillate
CPR steps: - ANSWER 1. check for the carotid pulse on the side of the neck; feel
for 5-10 seconds, cycle 30:2
2. Use the heel of one hand on the lower half of the sternum in the middle of the
chest
3. put your other hand on top of the first hand
4. straighten your arms and press straight down
5. be sure that between each compression, you completely stop pressing on the
chest and allow the chest wall to return to its natural position
6. After 30 compressions, stop compressions and open the airway by tilting the head
and lifting the chin
a. put your hand on the person's forehead and tilt the head back
b. lift the person's jaw by placing your index and middle fingers on the lower jaw; lift
up
c. do not perform the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver if you suspect the person may have
a neck injury. In that case the jaw-thrust is used
7. give a breath while watching the chest rise. repeat while giving a second breath.
breaths should be delivered over one second
8. resume chest compressions. switch quickly between compressions and rescue
breaths to minimize interruptions in chest compressions
jaw-thrust maneuver: - ANSWER grasp the angles of the lower jaw and lift it with
both hands, one on each side, moving the jaw forward. If their lips are closed, open
the lower lip using your thumb
Two-rescuer BLS/CPR for adults - ANSWER - direct the second rescuer to call 911
without leaving the person while you begin CPR. The second rescuer can also find
an AED while you stay with the person. When the second rescuer returns, the CPR
tasks can be shared:
1. the second rescuer prepares the AED for use
2. you begin chest compressions and count the compressions out loud
3. the second rescuer applies the AED pads
4. the second rescuer opens the person's airway and gives rescue breaths
5. switch roles after every five cycles of compressions and breaths. 30:2
According to the CDC, _____ continues to be the leading cause of death in the US
and is responsible for 600,000 deaths every year - ANSWER heart disease
chain of survival - ANSWER provides the person the best chance to receive the
care needed and return to a healthy life
Keys for BLS: - ANSWER - quickly start the chain of survival
- deliver high-quality chest compressions to circulate oxygen to the brain and vital
organs
- know when and how to use an automatic external defibrillator (AED)
- provide rescue breathing
- understand how to work with other rescuers as part of a team
- know how to treat choking
Adult chain of survival - ANSWER - recognize symptoms and activate EMS
- perform early CPR
- defibrillator with AED
- advanced life support
- post-cardiac arrest care
what is the most important step of the Pediatric Chain of Survival? - ANSWER
prevention
Pediatric chain of survival - ANSWER - prevent arrest
- perform early CPR
- activate EMS
- advanced life support
- post-cardiac arrest care
characteristics defining high-quality compressions - ANSWER - rate: 100-120 per
minute
- depth: 2-2.4 inches
- adult ratio: 30:2 (30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths)
- pediatric ratio: 15:2 (15 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths)
high-quality CPR is key and consists of doing the following: - ANSWER - keep
compression rate of at least 100 minutes for all persons
- keep compression depth of between 2-2.4 inches for adults and children and about
1.5 inches for infants
- allow complete chest recoil after each compression
- minimize interruptions in CPR, except to use an AED or to change rescuer
positions
- do not over ventilate
- provide CPR as a team when possible
- cricoid pressure is no longer routinely performed
, - pulse checks are shorter. Feel for a pulse for 5 but no more than 10 seconds; if a
pulse is absent or if you are not sure you feel a pulse, then begin compressions.
Even trained clinicians cannot always reliably tell if they can feel a pulse.
- For infants, use a manual defibrillator if available. If not available, an AED with
pediatric dose attenuator should be sued for an infant. If an AED with dose
attenuator is not available, then use an adult AED even for an infant
Simple adult BLS algorithm - ANSWER unresponsive, no breathing or only gasping
-> activate emergency response -> get AED and start CPR -> monitor rhythm, shock
if needed, repeat after 2 minutes
One rescuer BLS/CPR for adults: - ANSWER - be safe
- assess the person
- call EMS
- CPR
- defibrillate
CPR steps: - ANSWER 1. check for the carotid pulse on the side of the neck; feel
for 5-10 seconds, cycle 30:2
2. Use the heel of one hand on the lower half of the sternum in the middle of the
chest
3. put your other hand on top of the first hand
4. straighten your arms and press straight down
5. be sure that between each compression, you completely stop pressing on the
chest and allow the chest wall to return to its natural position
6. After 30 compressions, stop compressions and open the airway by tilting the head
and lifting the chin
a. put your hand on the person's forehead and tilt the head back
b. lift the person's jaw by placing your index and middle fingers on the lower jaw; lift
up
c. do not perform the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver if you suspect the person may have
a neck injury. In that case the jaw-thrust is used
7. give a breath while watching the chest rise. repeat while giving a second breath.
breaths should be delivered over one second
8. resume chest compressions. switch quickly between compressions and rescue
breaths to minimize interruptions in chest compressions
jaw-thrust maneuver: - ANSWER grasp the angles of the lower jaw and lift it with
both hands, one on each side, moving the jaw forward. If their lips are closed, open
the lower lip using your thumb
Two-rescuer BLS/CPR for adults - ANSWER - direct the second rescuer to call 911
without leaving the person while you begin CPR. The second rescuer can also find
an AED while you stay with the person. When the second rescuer returns, the CPR
tasks can be shared:
1. the second rescuer prepares the AED for use
2. you begin chest compressions and count the compressions out loud
3. the second rescuer applies the AED pads
4. the second rescuer opens the person's airway and gives rescue breaths
5. switch roles after every five cycles of compressions and breaths. 30:2
