Chain of Survival Flashcards

In the adult out-of-hospital Chain of Survival, which link comes immediately AFTER early CPR?

Answer: Rapid defibrillation

The adult out-of-hospital chain is: recognition/activation → early CPR → rapid defibrillation → advanced life support → post-cardiac arrest care.

Why is the 'recognition and activation' link considered the first critical step in the Chain of Survival?

Answer: It starts the 911 dispatch process that brings AED and advanced care

Without recognition and activation, no subsequent links in the chain can begin, making it the trigger for all downstream interventions.

Which Chain of Survival link is most often performed by bystanders before EMS arrives?

Answer: Early CPR

Bystanders are typically the first on scene and can begin CPR before EMS or AED resources arrive.

A patient achieves return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after CPR and defibrillation. Which Chain of Survival link is now the priority?

Answer: Post-cardiac arrest care

Post-cardiac arrest care, including targeted temperature management and hemodynamic support, begins after ROSC is achieved.

The in-hospital Chain of Survival differs from the out-of-hospital chain primarily because:

Answer: Surveillance and prevention replace recognition as the first link

In-hospital patients are monitored, so the chain begins with surveillance and prevention rather than bystander recognition.

During a cardiac arrest, every minute without defibrillation for a shockable rhythm decreases survival by approximately how much?

Answer: 7–10%

Survival from ventricular fibrillation decreases by approximately 7–10% for every minute that defibrillation is delayed without CPR.

Which action best strengthens the 'early CPR' link in a community setting?

Answer: Training more community members in CPR

Widespread CPR training increases the pool of bystanders who can immediately begin compressions before EMS arrives.