While performing high-quality CPR on an adult, what action should you ensure is being accomplished?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct action to ensure while performing high-quality CPR on an adult is to provide high-quality chest compressions. This involves pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest, allowing for full recoil of the chest between compressions, with minimal interruptions.
Explanation:
High-quality CPR focuses on ensuring that each component of the CPR sequence is performed effectively to maximize the chance of survival in a cardiac arrest scenario. Key components of high-quality CPR include:
- Chest Compressions: Compressions are the most critical part of CPR. They should be delivered at a depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm) for adults, at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. This helps maintain circulation of oxygenated blood to the brain and other vital organs. The pressure should be consistent, and it is important to allow the chest to fully recoil between compressions to enable the heart to refill with blood.
- Minimizing Interruptions: When performing CPR, interruptions should be kept to a minimum. Compressions should be continuous, with pauses only for essential actions like ventilations or defibrillation. Research shows that each interruption in chest compressions significantly reduces the effectiveness of CPR.
- Chest Recoil: Full chest recoil between compressions allows the heart to fill properly with blood, increasing the volume of blood pumped out during each compression. Avoid leaning on the chest between compressions to ensure full recoil.
- Adequate Ventilations: If performing two-rescuer CPR or providing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, it’s important to give effective ventilations, delivering enough air to the victim’s lungs to ensure oxygenation. However, chest compressions should always be the priority.
By maintaining a steady rhythm of high-quality chest compressions, and limiting interruptions, CPR becomes more effective, leading to improved survival rates in victims of cardiac arrest.