Life support Flashcards
(24 cards)
What does BLS stand for?
Basic Life Support
When should nurses start Basic Life Support (BLS)?
When the person is unresponsive, not breathing, or having a cardiac arrest
What is a cardiac arrest?
A situation when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood around the body
How many people in Australia suffer from sudden cardiac arrest each year?
30,000 people
What is the survival rate from sudden cardiac arrest when the chain of survival is followed?
75% survival rate
What is the first step in the chain of survival?
Early access: call the ambulance immediately
What is the recommended time frame to start CPR after the heart stops?
Within 4 minutes
What is the compression-to-breath ratio in CPR?
30 chest compressions to 2 breaths
What is the time frame for early defibrillation to improve survival rates?
Within 8-12 minutes
What should be done if a person is unresponsive but breathing normally?
Position them in a lateral, side-lying recovery position
What are the signs of upper airway obstruction?
Extreme anxiety, agitation, gasping sounds, coughing, loss of voice, choking sign
What is the recommended action for a conscious person with mild airway obstruction?
Encourage them to cough
What is the first aid response for a person with severe airway obstruction?
Perform back blows or chest thrusts
What is the head tilt-chin lift manoeuvre used for?
To open the airway
What are the causes of ineffective breathing?
- Depression or damage to the breathing control center
- Upper airway obstruction
- Paralysis or impairment of the nerves/muscles of breathing
- Lung problems
- Suffocation
What should a rescuer do immediately after opening the airway?
Begin chest compressions and then rescue breathing
What is the recommended rate of compressions for CPR?
100 – 120 compressions per minute
What is the depth of compression for adults during CPR?
More than 5 cm
What should be done for pregnant women during CPR?
Tilt the woman’s hip to the left using a cushion
What is the purpose of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)?
To restore normal heart rhythm in unresponsive victims not breathing normally
What happens for every minute delayed in defibrillation?
10% reduction in survival if cardiac arrest is due to Ventricular Fibrillation
What is the appropriate placement for AED pads?
In an anterior-lateral position on the chest
What should be done before placing AED pads on the skin?
Remove medication patches and wipe the skin
What is the guideline for performing rescue breaths?
Mouth to mouth, mouth to nose, mouth to mask, mouth to neck stoma
