ADULT BLS

Question 1

step 1 of BLS

Answer 1

1. check for a response (to voice, to pain (trapezius squeeze)

response = start ABCDE

no response = call for help

Question 1

what is the chain of survival

Answer 1

The chain of survival refers to a series of actions that, properly executed, reduce the mortality associated with cardiac arrest.

Early recognition and call for help
Early CPR
Early defibrillation
Early advanced cardiac life support

Question 2

what do you do next if there is no response

Answer 2

1. get help
2. position pt on their back and inspect airway
3. head-tilt chin lift
4. Assess for signs of life
   - carotid pulse
   - assess breathing for 10 seconds (check RR)

Question 3

what do you do if a pulse is present but the RR is low

Answer 3

If the respiration rate is below 12 – assist ventilation with bag valve mask (BVM) to maintain 10 breaths/min (re-checking the pulse every minute to ensure it is still present).

You will likely need two people to perform effective ventilation with a BVM (one ensuring a good seal over the face and the other compressing the bag to deliver the oxygen).

The BVM should ideally be connected to high-flow oxygen as soon as possible.

Question 4

what do you do if a pulse is present and the RR is fine

Answer 4

urgent ABCDE to stabilise before further deterioration

Question 5

what is agonal breathing

Answer 5

If the patient has occasional, irregular gasps of breath, this does not qualify as a sign of life as it commonly occurs in cardiac arrest and is referred to as agonal breathing.

Question 6

what do you do if there is no signs of life?

Answer 6

call for help from resuscitation team and commence CPR

if you are alone, you should leave the patient and get help first

Question 7

CPR ratios and speed asult

Answer 7

30 chest compressions followed by 2 ventilations

Perform compressions at approximately 100-120 compressions per minute.

Question 8

how often should you alternate who is perfoming chest compressions

Answer 8

Alternate the person performing chest compressions at 2-minute intervals (if enough team members are present).

Question 9

what do you do once AED arrives

Answer 9

Once an automated external defibrillator (AED) arrives, it is import to attach the 2 self-adhesive pads immediately to the patient’s chest (as labelled):

ADHESIVE PAD 1: the right of the sternum below the clavicle.
ADHESIVE PAD 2: the mid-axillary line, with its long axis vertical and sufficiently lateral.

Question 10

when does advanced life support commence

Answer 10

once the resuscitation team arrives.