AHA BLS Study Guide Detailed Questions and
Expert Answers
Chain of Survival: Adult - ANS Emergency Cardiovascular Care
1 - Immediate recognition of cardiac arrest and activation of the emergency
response system
2 - Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with an emphasis on chest
compressions
3 - Rapid defibrillation
4 - Effective advanced life support
5 - Integrated post-cardiac arrest care
High-quality CPR - ANS Start compressions within 10 seconds of recognition of
cardiac arrest.
Push hard, push fast: rate of 100/min with a depth of at least 2 in (5cm) for adults,
approximately 2 in (5cm) for children, and approximately 1.5 in (4cm) for infants.
Allow complete chest recoil for each compression.
Minimize interruptions in compressions (limit to less than 10s).
Give effective breaths that make the chest rise.
Avoid excessive ventilation.
Chain of survival: Pediatric - ANS 1 - Prevention of arrest
2 - Early high-quality CPR
,3 - Rapid activation of the EMS (or other emergency response) system
4 - Effective advanced life support (including rapid stabilization and transport to
definitive care and rehab)
5 - Integrated post-cardiac arrest care
2010 AHA Key Changes (sequence) - ANS Changes in BLS sequence from ABC
(airway, breathing, chest compressions) to CAB (chest compressions, airway,
breathing) for adults, children, and infants.
This is because chest compressions were often delayed while rescuer opened
airway, deliver mouth-to-mouth, retrieve barrier device, or gathered and
assembled ventilation equipment.
CAB makes delivery of compressions sooner and the delay in giving breaths sooner
- deliver first cycle of 30 compressions (approximately 18 seconds or less); for 2-
rescuer infant or child CPR the delay will be even shorter.
2010 AHA key Changes (Emphasis on High-Quality CPR) - ANS Compression rate of
at least 100/min (rather than "approximately")
Depth of at least 2 in (5cm) for adults and children, 1.5 in (5cm) for infants. No
longer 1.5 - 2 in for adults and absolute depth for children and infants is deeper
than in previous guidelines.
Allowing complete chest recoil, minimizing interruptions in compressions, and
avoiding excessive ventilation continue to be important in high-quality CPR.
Increased focus on a team approach to CPR.
Example: one rescuer activates EMS, second begins compressions, third is either
providing ventilation or getting equip for it, fourth is getting the defibrillator and
preparing to use it.
, 2010 AHA Key Changes (No Look, Listen, Feel) - ANS Step removed because
bystanders often failed to start CPR when they observed agonal gasping. Activate
EMS and check for response and breathing simultaneously. If adult is unresponsive
and not breathing normally (only gasping) and has no pulse, begin CPR. For infant
and child, CPR is performed if the victim is unresponsive and not breathing only
gasping and has no pulse.
For all victims (except newborns) CPR begins with compressions and then opening
airway and giving 2 breaths per cycle.
Additional Changes - ANS Use of cricoid pressure in cardiac arrest victims not
recommended - can prevent gastric inflation and reduce risk of regurgitation and
aspiration, but may also block ventilation. Can delay placement of advanced
airway.
Continued de-emphasis of pulse check: difficult to detect absence of pulse within
10s. If within 10s not able to detect, begin chest compressions.
Use of AED for infants: Manual defibrillator is preferred to AED. If unavailable, use
pediatric dose attenuator, if that isn't available, use AED without pediatric dose
attenuator.
BLS components - ANS Chest compressions, Airway, Breathing, Defib
Initial BLS for Adults - ANS 1 - Check the victim for responsiveness (tap shoulders
and shout "are you ok?" - look for normal or abnormal breathing. If no/abnormal
breathing, call for help.
2 - If you are alone, activate emergency response system and get AED if available
and return to victim.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller Schoolflix. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $14.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.