CPR CPR for Special Situations 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the first step in rescuing a drowning victim who is unresponsive?
- Start chest compressions before removing from water
- Ensure personal safety, remove the victim from the water, then begin CPR (Correct answer)
- Check for a pulse while the victim is still in the water
- Give 5 rescue breaths before removing from water
Correct answer: Ensure personal safety, remove the victim from the water, then begin CPR
Rescuer safety is paramount — ensure the scene is safe, remove the victim from the water as quickly as possible, place them on a firm surface, and then begin CPR.
Question 2: For a drowning victim, which component of CPR should be emphasized over hands-only CPR?
- Higher compression rate
- Rescue breathing in addition to compressions (Correct answer)
- Deeper compressions
- Faster CPR cycles
Correct answer: Rescue breathing in addition to compressions
Drowning is a hypoxic arrest — the primary problem is lack of oxygen, so rescue breathing combined with compressions is strongly recommended over hands-only CPR.
Question 3: How should CPR be modified for a victim with suspected opioid overdose?
- Perform compressions only
- Give naloxone if available, call 911, and provide rescue breaths and compressions as needed (Correct answer)
- Perform CPR only after naloxone is given
- Double the compression rate
Correct answer: Give naloxone if available, call 911, and provide rescue breaths and compressions as needed
For opioid overdose with unresponsiveness and no normal breathing, administer naloxone if available, call 911, and provide full CPR (compressions plus rescue breaths) since respiratory arrest is the primary emergency.
Question 4: When performing CPR on a pregnant victim, what additional measure may improve outcomes?
- Increase compression depth to 3 inches
- Manually displace the uterus to the left or tilt the victim 15–30 degrees left to relieve aorto-caval compression (Correct answer)
- Perform compressions higher on the sternum
- Avoid rescue breaths
Correct answer: Manually displace the uterus to the left or tilt the victim 15–30 degrees left to relieve aorto-caval compression
After 20 weeks of pregnancy, the enlarged uterus can compress the inferior vena cava; manually displacing the uterus to the left or a 15–30° left lateral tilt improves venous return during CPR.
Question 5: What is the recommended treatment for a conscious adult who is choking and cannot cough, speak, or breathe?
- Back blows only
- Abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) (Correct answer)
- Rescue breathing
- Immediate CPR
Correct answer: Abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
For a conscious adult with a complete airway obstruction (unable to cough, speak, or breathe), deliver abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) until the object is dislodged or the victim becomes unconscious.
Question 6: If a choking adult becomes unconscious and collapses, what should you do?
- Continue abdominal thrusts
- Call 911 and begin CPR, looking in the mouth for the object before giving breaths (Correct answer)
- Perform blind finger sweeps
- Perform back blows and wait for EMS
Correct answer: Call 911 and begin CPR, looking in the mouth for the object before giving breaths
When a choking victim becomes unconscious, lower them to the ground, call 911, and begin CPR — look into the mouth before giving breaths and remove any visible object.
CPR CPR for Special Situations 1
What is the first step in rescuing a drowning victim who is unresponsive?