ACLS BLS and High-Quality CPR 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During CPR on an adult, what is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio when two rescuers are present and an advanced airway has NOT been placed?
- 15:2
- 30:2 (Correct answer)
- 30:1
- 15:1
Correct answer: 30:2
The 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio is used for adults until an advanced airway is placed, regardless of the number of rescuers.
Question 2: Which action is MOST important in minimizing interruptions during chest compressions?
- Switching compressors every 5 minutes
- Pausing compressions only for rhythm checks and defibrillation (Correct answer)
- Performing ventilations during the upstroke of compressions
- Using mechanical CPR devices whenever available
Correct answer: Pausing compressions only for rhythm checks and defibrillation
Minimizing all pauses to rhythm checks and defibrillation preserves coronary perfusion pressure generated by compressions.
Question 3: A patient in cardiac arrest has a continuous waveform capnography reading of 8 mmHg despite ongoing CPR. What does this indicate?
- CPR quality is adequate
- The patient has ROSC
- CPR quality is poor and should be improved (Correct answer)
- The patient is hyperventilated
Correct answer: CPR quality is poor and should be improved
ETCO2 below 10 mmHg during CPR indicates poor cardiac output and signals the need to improve compression quality.
Question 4: When providing rescue breaths during CPR, each breath should be delivered over how long a period?
- Less than 0.5 seconds
- 1 second (Correct answer)
- 2–3 seconds
- 3–4 seconds
Correct answer: 1 second
Each rescue breath should be delivered over 1 second to produce visible chest rise without causing gastric inflation.
Question 5: A 45-year-old collapses. You find no pulse after 10 seconds of checking. What is your FIRST action?
- Apply the AED and analyze rhythm
- Begin chest compressions (Correct answer)
- Open the airway and give 2 rescue breaths
- Call for help and wait for EMS
Correct answer: Begin chest compressions
Chest compressions should be started immediately upon confirming pulselessness; CPR begins with compressions (C-A-B sequence).
Question 6: Which of the following best describes 'passive' or 'partial' CPR that reduces resuscitation effectiveness?
- Compressions too fast at 130/min
- Shallow compressions at 1 inch depth (Correct answer)
- Hands placed on the sternum instead of the lower half
- Allowing full recoil between compressions
Correct answer: Shallow compressions at 1 inch depth
Compressions less than 2 inches deep in adults fail to generate adequate cardiac output and significantly reduce resuscitation success.
Question 7: When using a bag-mask device during two-rescuer CPR (without advanced airway), how should the rescuer delivering ventilations time breaths?
- Deliver breaths continuously without pausing compressions
- Pause compressions, deliver 2 breaths, then resume compressions (Correct answer)
- Deliver 1 breath every 6 seconds regardless of compressions
- Deliver breaths only after every 5th compression
Correct answer: Pause compressions, deliver 2 breaths, then resume compressions
Without an advanced airway, compressions must be paused after every 30 to deliver 2 breaths in the 30:2 ratio.
ACLS BLS and High-Quality CPR 2
During CPR on an adult, what is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio when two rescuers are present and an advanced airway has NOT been placed?