BLS Special Situations & Scenarios Flashcards

During CPR for a patient in cardiac arrest due to severe anaphylaxis, what treatment is the highest priority alongside CPR?

Answer: Epinephrine administration (intramuscular or IV)

Epinephrine is the definitive first-line treatment for anaphylaxis, reversing vasodilation and bronchoconstriction that caused the arrest.

Should CPR be withheld in a trauma patient with suspected internal bleeding who has no pulse?

Answer: No — CPR must be performed for any pulseless patient regardless of suspected internal bleeding

Pulseless traumatic cardiac arrest requires CPR; the patient is already in arrest, so withholding compressions provides no benefit and worsens outcomes.

When is it safe to use an AED on a victim who was in contact with standing water?

Answer: After moving the victim away from standing water and quickly drying the chest

The victim should be moved from water and the chest dried before pad placement to ensure effective current delivery and prevent current dispersion.

How does the initial BLS sequence for a drowning victim differ from a standard (non-asphyxia) cardiac arrest?

Answer: Begin with 2 rescue breaths before or at the start of compressions to address the hypoxia

Drowning is an asphyxia-driven arrest; AHA recommends starting with rescue breaths to address hypoxia as the underlying cause.

Which hazard must be eliminated before approaching a victim of electrocution?

Answer: The active electrical current source must be turned off or the victim moved away from it

Contact with an active electrical source will electrocute the rescuer — the power must be de-energized before any contact with the victim.

In pregnancy-related cardiac arrest, what intervention is considered if CPR remains unsuccessful after 4–5 minutes?

Answer: Emergency perimortem cesarean delivery to relieve aortocaval compression

Perimortem cesarean delivery relieves the uterus pressing on major vessels and can dramatically improve maternal (and fetal) survival.