Basic Life Support (BLS) – Pulse Check & Bag-Mask Ventilation
This section of BLS training reviews the correct technique for checking a pulse in an unresponsive victim and how to properly deliver breaths using a bag-mask device. Emphasis is placed on timing, placement, and observing chest rise to ensure effective ventilation.
What are the components of a pulse check in an unresponsive victim?
Key Terms
What are the components of a pulse check in an unresponsive victim?
Assess for a pulse for at least 5 but no more than 10 seconds
Use 2 or 3 fingers to locate the pulse
Feel the pulse in the groove to ...
How are breaths delivered using a bag-mask device?
1 breath over 1 second, while watching for chest rise.
What are the correct actions to take for scene safety and assessment?
Verify scene safety
Check for responsiveness
Activate the emergency response system and get an AED
Look for no breathing and o...
How do you open the airway for breaths if a single rescuer is present?
Head tilt - chin lift
After positioning yourself directly above the victim's head, what is the correct order of steps for using a bad-mask device?
1: Place the mask on the victims face using the bridge of the nose as a guide for the correct position.
2: Use the E-Clamp technique to hold...
What is the correct chest compression rate for adults?
100 to 120/minute
Related Flashcard Decks
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
What are the components of a pulse check in an unresponsive victim? | Assess for a pulse for at least 5 but no more than 10 seconds |
How are breaths delivered using a bag-mask device? | 1 breath over 1 second, while watching for chest rise. |
What are the correct actions to take for scene safety and assessment? | Verify scene safety |
How do you open the airway for breaths if a single rescuer is present? | Head tilt - chin lift |
After positioning yourself directly above the victim's head, what is the correct order of steps for using a bad-mask device? | 1: Place the mask on the victims face using the bridge of the nose as a guide for the correct position. |
What is the correct chest compression rate for adults? | 100 to 120/minute |
When should the recuser operating the AED clear the victim? | During analysis and before shock delivery |
Why is an AED needed? | To analyze the heart rhythm and provide a shock |
Two life-threatening arrhythmias that can cause cardiac arrest are pulseless ventricular tachycardia and ______________________ | Ventricular Fibrillation |
Where should AED pads be placed in the anteroposterior placement for adults and children 8 years and older? | Left side of the chest |
You tap and shout to check for responsiveness but the patient does not respond. What is your next step after calling for help? | Check for breathing and a pulse |
After checking for breathing and a pulse, you find that the patient is not breathing normally but has a pulse and needs rescue breathing. What is the correct ventilation rate? | 1 breath every 6 seconds OR about 10 breaths per minute |
After 4 minutes of rescue breathing, no pulse is present during a pulse check. What immediate actions should be taken? | Immediately begin CPR and turn on the AED |
As you are providing CPR, your colleague arrives, turns on the AED and follows the prompts. The AED analyzes the rhythm and does not advise a shock. | Continue CPR until prompted by the AED to allow a rhythm check, the ALS team arrives, or the patient starts to move |
Where should AED pads be placed in the anterolateral placement for adults and children 8 years and older? | Below the right collarbone |
You and your colleague respond to an adult victim who is unresponsive. After assessing that the victim is not breathing and has no pulse, what do you instruct your colleague to do? | Activate the emergency response system and get the AED |
What is the target rate for chest compressions for children? | 100 to 120/minute |
When should the rescuer operating the AED clear the victim? | During analysis and before shock delivery |
After an AED delivers a shock, what should rescuers fo next? | Resume CPR, starting with chest compressions |
A bag-mask device is used to provide ___________________________ to a victim who is not breathing or not breathing normally | Positive-pressure ventilation |
During CPR on a child, you should place 1 or 2 hands over the _____________ of the _______________ | Lower half, breastbone |
During CPR on a child, interruptions to chest compressions should be limited to no more than ___ seconds | 10 |
When performing chest compressions for an infant, you can use 2 thumbs or put 2 __________ in the center of the chest, just below the ___________ line | Fingers, nipple |
When performing chest compressions for an infant in a 2-rescuer situation, you should put 2 _________ in the center of the chest, on the lower half of the breastbone | Thumbs |
When performing high-quality CPR on a child, what is the correct depth of compressions? | Approximately 2 inches (5cm) |
What is the recommended depth of compressions in infants? | Approximately 1 1/2 inches (4cm) |
What is the preferred method for a pulse check in an infant? | Place 2 or 3 fingers on the inside of the upper arm, midway between the infant's elbow and shoulder |
What is a correct approach for AED placement for infants and children less than 8 years of age? | As indicated on the pad packages |
The child is unresponsive after you tap his shoulders and shout, "are you okay?" He could be in cardiac arrest. What is your next step? | For 5 to 10 seconds, look for no breathing or only gasping while simultaneously checking the cartoid pulse |
After checking for breathing and a pulse, you verify that the child is not breathing normally but has a pulse. His airway is not obstructed. How do you deliver rescue breaths? | 1 breath every 2 to 3 seconds, or about 20 to 30 breaths per minute |
You check check the child's pulse after 2 minutes of providing rescue breaths and cannot feel a pulse. You immediately begin CPR. After performing CPR for 2 more minutes, the child still does not have a pulse and you are still alone. | Get and use an AED |
After turning on the AED, you follow the prompts. You know to use child pads for infants and for children younger than 8 years, but the pediatric pads are unavailable. | Use the adult pads |
You are still performing CPR as a single rescuer. The AED detects a shockable rhythm and advises a shock. | Cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths |
The infant is unresponsive when you tap her foot and shout "are you ok?" she could be in cardiac arrest. | For 5 to 10 seconds, look for no breathing or only gasping while simultaneously checking the brachial pulse. |
The infant isn't breathing normally but has a pulse. What do you need to do? | Provide rescue breaths, with 1 breath every 2 to 3 seconds |
You check the infants pulse every 2 minutes and detect that the heart rate is less than 60/minute with signs of poor perfusion. While your colleague begins CPR, what action do you need to take? | Power on the AED, follow the prompts, and use the child pads. |
The AED detects a shockable rhythm and advises a shock. After delivering 1 shock, you and your partner immediately resume CPR by using what ratio and which compressions technique? | Complete cycles of 15 compressions and 2 breaths and the 2 thumb-encircling technique. |
To avoid fatigue, when should team roles alternate providing compressions? | Every 5 cycles or 2 minutes |
Which team role keeps track of interruptions during compressions? | Timer/Recorder |
Which team role makes treatment decisions and assigns roles? | Team Leader |
Which of the following are resuscitation triangle roles in a high-performance team? | AED/Monitor/Defibrillator |
When performing high-quality CPR, when do pauses in compressions typically occur? | Defibrillation |
Team Roles: | Compressor |
Team Roles: | Monitor/Defibrillator |
Team Roles: | Airway |
Assigning team members to individual roles and outlining what each member need to do is an example of what element in team dynamic? | Clear roles and responsibilities |
You tell your team in a respective, clear, and calm voice, "Jacob, next I want you and Maria to switch positions." This is an example of which element? | Closed loop communication |
As a team leader, you notice your compressor is pushing too fast. You need to correct your colleague while also being tactful. What element is this? | Constructive intervention |
What action can you take during and after that helps individual team members perform better? | Debriefing |
Examples of effective team dynamics are: | Debriefing |
How can you achieve a high chest compression fraction? | Minimize pauses in chest compressions |
Recommended compression to ventilation ratios for infants and children? | 1 rescuer = 30:2 |
What is the indication for mouth to moth rescue breaths? | When a barrier device is not available |
Rescue breaths to an adult victim: | 1 breath every 6 seconds |
When an advanced airway is in place the compression rate should be provided at a rate of | 100-120 per minute |
When using a pocket mask, where should the rescuer be positioned | At the side of the victim |
How is CPR performed differently when an advanced airway is in place? | No pauses for compressions |
In the event of a possible opioid overdose, with no normal breathing but an existing pulse, the rescuer should | Give 1 recuse breath every 6 seconds |
When providing rescue breaths to a child or infant, you should give | 1 breath every 2-3 seconds |