First Aid CPR and AED Usage 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When placing AED pads on an adult male victim, where should the first pad be positioned?
- On the upper right chest below the collarbone (Correct answer)
- On the center of the chest over the sternum
- On the left shoulder blade
- Over the victim's left nipple
Correct answer: On the upper right chest below the collarbone
One AED pad goes on the upper right chest (below the collarbone, right of the sternum) and the other on the lower left side of the chest.
Question 2: A victim in cardiac arrest has a pacemaker. The pacemaker bulge is visible under the skin. How should you place AED pads?
- At least 1 inch away from the pacemaker (Correct answer)
- Directly over the pacemaker for best contact
- Skip the AED and use CPR only
- Place one pad on the back instead
Correct answer: At least 1 inch away from the pacemaker
AED pads should be placed at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator to avoid interference.
Question 3: What is the purpose of allowing full chest recoil between compressions?
- It allows the heart to refill with blood (Correct answer)
- It prevents rib fractures
- It makes compressions easier for the rescuer
- It prevents overcompression of the lungs
Correct answer: It allows the heart to refill with blood
Full chest recoil between compressions allows the heart's chambers to refill with blood, maximizing the volume pumped with each compression.
Question 4: An AED analyzes the victim's heart rhythm and says 'No shock advised.' What should you do?
- Immediately resume CPR (Correct answer)
- Wait 2 minutes and let the AED reanalyze
- Begin rescue breaths only
- Reposition the AED pads and try again
Correct answer: Immediately resume CPR
If the AED advises no shock, immediately resume CPR for 2 minutes, then allow the AED to reanalyze the rhythm.
Question 5: When giving rescue breaths during CPR, how long should each breath last?
- About 1 second, just enough to see the chest rise (Correct answer)
- 2–3 seconds to ensure full lung inflation
- As long as possible to maximize oxygen
- Half a second with a sharp puff
Correct answer: About 1 second, just enough to see the chest rise
Each rescue breath should be delivered over 1 second — just enough to see the chest rise — to avoid gastric inflation.
Question 6: You are doing CPR alone and become exhausted. A bystander with no CPR training arrives. What should you do?
- Guide the bystander to take over chest compressions with your coaching (Correct answer)
- Continue alone because untrained rescuers should not help
- Ask the bystander to give rescue breaths while you do compressions
- Stop CPR and let the bystander wait for EMS
Correct answer: Guide the bystander to take over chest compressions with your coaching
Any willing bystander can be coached to perform hands-only chest compressions, switching rescuers every 2 minutes reduces fatigue.
Question 7: What should a rescuer do if the victim's chest does not rise during a rescue breath?
- Reposition the head and try one more breath, then resume compressions (Correct answer)
- Attempt repeated breaths until the chest rises
- Skip breaths and continue compressions only
- Roll the victim on their side before retrying
Correct answer: Reposition the head and try one more breath, then resume compressions
If the first breath doesn't make the chest rise, reposition the head with a head-tilt chin-lift, give one more breath, then return to compressions regardless.
First Aid CPR and AED Usage 3
When placing AED pads on an adult male victim, where should the first pad be positioned?