Cardiopulmonary Emergency Recognition Flashcards

Which sequence best describes how to assess an adult you suspect is in cardiac arrest?

Answer: Scene safety, responsiveness, call for help, then check breathing and pulse together

Ensure scene safety, check responsiveness, activate help, then assess breathing and pulse simultaneously.

A person complaining of chest pain insists they are 'fine' and refuses help, but looks pale and sweaty. What is the best approach?

Answer: Encourage them to rest, call 911, and continue to monitor for deterioration

Cardiac symptoms can worsen quickly, so call 911 and keep monitoring even if the person minimizes them.

Which of the following is an early warning sign that may precede sudden cardiac arrest in some people?

Answer: Unexplained chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or palpitations

Chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and palpitations can precede sudden cardiac arrest.

You are assessing a drowning victim who was just pulled from the water and is unresponsive and not breathing. Compared with typical adult arrest, this emergency is primarily caused by:

Answer: Lack of oxygen (a respiratory cause)

Drowning arrests are usually due to oxygen deprivation, so ventilation is especially important.

What does it mean if an unresponsive person has a pulse but is NOT breathing normally?

Answer: They are in respiratory arrest and need rescue breaths/ventilations

A pulse with no normal breathing indicates respiratory arrest, which requires rescue breaths.

When determining whether to start CPR on an adult, abnormal gasping breaths should be treated as:

Answer: Absence of normal breathing—start CPR

Agonal gasping is not effective breathing, so CPR should be started.

Which factor most improves the chance of recognizing a cardiac emergency quickly in a public setting?

Answer: Bystander awareness of warning signs and willingness to act immediately

Trained, willing bystanders who recognize warning signs and act fast greatly improve outcomes.