Part 3- BLS for Adults Study Guide
Fill in the answers electronically to the following questions as you go through the
lessons. This will be your grade for the lesson and can also be used on each exam.
1. Summarize the objectives for this part.
Learn to identify when an adult requires intervention. Master the techniques for
effective chest compressions and rescue breaths. Learn how to use equipment to
deliver breaths safely and effectively.
2. What determines the type of CPR skills a rescuers uses?
The particular CPR skills a rescuer uses depend on several variables, such as level of
training, experience, and confidence. Other variables are the type of victim (child vs
adult), available equipment, and other rescuers
3. Define the following: Hands-Only CPR, 30:2 CPR, High-performance team.
Hands-Only CPR: Providing chest compressions without rescue breathing during CPR.
30:2 CPR: CPR that is provided in a ratio of 30 chest compressions to 2 breaths.
High- Performance team: May include physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists,
pharmacists, and others.
4. Complete the Adult BLS Algorithm.
Verify scene safety.
• Check for responsiveness.
• Shout for nearby help.
• Activate ERS via mobile device.
• Get AED & emergency
equipment.
No normal breathing, pulse felt.
Provide rescue breathing, 1 breath every
6 seconds or 10 breaths/min.
Check pulse every 2 minutes. If no pulse,
start CPR.
If possible opioid overdose, administer
naloxone if available per protocol.
Look for no breathing or only gasping and check pulse
(simultaneously). Is pulse definitely felt within 10 seconds?
Monitor until
emergency
responders arrive
No breathing or only gasping,
pulse not felt.
• Perform cycle of 30 compressions
& 2 breaths
• Use AED as soon as it is available.
AED Arrives
Check rhythm.
Shockable rhythm?
Yes, shockable No, nonshockable
Resume CPR immediately for
Give 1 shock. Resume CPR
2 minutes until prompted by
immediately for 2 minutes until
AED to allow rhythm check.
prompted by AED to allow
Continue until ALS providers
rhythm check. Continue until ALS
take over or victim starts to
providers take over or victim
move.
starts to move.
5. Explain agonal gasps.
Agonal gasps may be present in the first minutes after sudden cardiac arrest. Agonal
gasps are not normal for breathing. A person who gasps usually appears to be drawing
air in very quickly. The mouth may be open, and the jaw, head, or neck may move
with gasps. Gasps may appear forceful or weak. Some time may pass between gasps
because they usually happen at a slow, irregular rate. The gasp may sound like a snort,
snore, or groan.
6. Explain how to find the carotid pulse.
Locate the trachea (on the side closest to you), using 2 or 3 fingers. Slide those fingers into
the groove between the trachea and the muscles at the side of the neck, where you can feel
the carotid pulse.
7. What is the foundation of CPR? Explain why.
The foundation of CPR is high-quality chest compressions. Compressing the chest
during CPR pumps blood from the heart to the brain and then to the rest of the body.
Each time you stop chest compressions, the blood flow from the heart to the brain
and other organs decreases significantly. Once you resume compressions, it takes
several compressions to bring the blood flow back to the levels present before the
interruption. The more often you interrupt chest compressions and the longer the
interruptions are, the lower the blood supply to the brain and critical organs.
8. What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for any age?
Ratio of 30 compressions to 2 breaths when giving CPR to victims of any age .
9. Explain compression rate and compression depth.
Compression Rate is at a rate of 100 to 120/min. This rate is the same for
compressions in all cardiac arrest victims.
Compression depth is compressing the chest at least 2 inches (5 cm). Compressing the
24 chest more than 2.4 inches (6 cm) in adults may decrease effectiveness of the
compression and cause injuries. Using a CPR-quality feedback device can help you
reach the optimal compression depth of 2 to 2.4 inches (5 to 6 cm).
10. What is the purpose of reexpansion of the chest?
Chest recoil (reexpansion of the chest) allows blood to flow into the heart.
11. Define Chest compression fraction and how it increases survival.
Chest compression fraction (CCF) is a measure of the proportion of total CPR time
during which chest compressions are performed. High-quality CPR started
immediately after cardiac arrest combined with early defibrillation can double or
triple the chances of survival.
12. Explain compressions for pregnant woman are similar and different than
compressions to non-pregnant woman.
The core components of high-quality CPR remain the same for pregnant and non-
pregnant victims. If the victim is pregnant, perform CPR and interventions as you
would for any other cardiac arrest patient, with the addition of lateral uterine
displacement (LUD).
13. Describe the two ways to open the airway to allow effective breaths.
Use the head tilt-chin lift maneuver to open the airway.
If you suspect a head or neck injury, use the jaw thrust maneuver to open the airway.
14. What are the steps to use a pocket mask?
1. Position yourself at the victim’s side. 2. Place the pocket mask on the victim’s face,
using the bridge of the nose as a guide for correct positioning. 3. Seal the pocket mask
against the face. a. Using your hand that is closer to the top of the victim’s head, place
your index finger and thumb along the top edge of the mask. b. Place the thumb of
your other hand along the bottom edge of the mask. c. Place the remaining fingers of
your second hand along the bony margin of the jaw and lift the jaw. Perform a head
tilt, chin lift to open the airway. d. While you lift the jaw, press firmly and completely
around the outside edge of the mask to seal the pocket mask against the face. 4.
Deliver each breath over 1 second, enough to make the victim’s chest rise.
15. Explain the differences between bag-mask ventilation 1 rescuer versus 2 or
more rescuers.
Single Rescuer: Often forced to use a one-handed technique to seal the mask while
simultaneously trying to squeeze the bag, which is generally less effective and more
difficult to perform correctly.
Two or More Rescuers: The guidelines specifically state that it is reasonable for one
rescuer to use both hands to open the airway and seal the mask to the face (using the
E-C clamp technique), while the second rescuer squeezes the bag. This division of
labor provides a more secure seal and better control over the volume of air delivered.
16. Explain the role of a CPR coach.
The CPR Coach supports performance of high-quality BLS skills, allowing the Team
Leader to focus on other aspects of clinical care. The CPR Coach’s main responsibilities
are to help team members provide high-quality CPR and minimize pauses in
compressions. The CPR Coach needs a direct line of sight to the Compressor, so they
should stand next to the defibrillator.