2.1 CPR and defibrillation

What does AVPU stand for in rapid response assessment?

Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive.

What pulse should you check during BLS?

Carotid pulse.

How deep should compressions be in adult CPR?

≥ 5 cm or ⅓ the depth of the chest.

What is the compression to ventilation ratio in BLS?

30 compressions : 2 breaths.

What are the two theories of blood movement during CPR?

Thoracic Pump Theory and Cardiac Pump Theory.

What percentage of normal cardiac output does CPR provide?

15–25%.

What are the non-shockable rhythms in cardiac arrest?

Asystole and Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA).

What are the shockable rhythms?

Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) and Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia (VT).

How does VF appear on ECG?

Chaotic, irregular with no identifiable waves (P, QRS, or T).

How does pulseless VT appear on ECG?

Fast, regular, and wide QRS complexes.

What are the 4 Hs in PEA causes?

Hypoxia, Hypovolemia, Hypo/Hyperkalemia, Hypothermia.

What are the 4 Ts in PEA causes?

Tamponade, Tension pneumothorax, Thrombosis (PE/MI), Toxins.

What is the standard adult defib energy?

200 Joules (can vary by device/service).

What are key safety checks before delivering a shock?

No contact, dry patient, safe surface, no flammable substances, correct pad placement.

What happens to survival with each minute delay in defibrillation?

Decreases by 10–12%.