Adult Basic Life Support Algorithm for Healthcare Providers

Flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the Adult Basic Life Support Algorithm for Healthcare Providers lecture notes, focusing on initial assessment, CPR, rescue breathing, and AED use.

Adult Basic Life Support (BLS) Algorithm

A systematic guide for healthcare providers to respond to an adult cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest, involving steps from scene safety to advanced care handover.

Verify scene safety

The initial step in any emergency, ensuring the environment is safe for both the rescuer and the victim.

Check for responsiveness

Assessing if the victim responds to verbal or tactile stimulation.

Activate emergency response system

Calling for emergency medical services (EMS) or backup via mobile device (if appropriate) after checking for responsiveness and shouting for help.

Get AED and emergency equipment

Procuring an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and other necessary emergency tools, or sending someone to do so.

Look for no breathing or only gasping and check pulse

A simultaneous assessment for life-threatening conditions, performed within 10 seconds.

Normal breathing, pulse felt

A state where the victim has a pulse and is breathing normally, requiring monitoring until emergency responders arrive.

No normal breathing, pulse felt

A state indicating respiratory arrest, requiring rescue breathing while a pulse is present.

Rescue breathing

Providing ventilations at a rate of 1 breath every 6 seconds, or 10 breaths per minute, for victims with a pulse but no normal breathing.

Check pulse every 2 minutes (during rescue breathing)

Reassessment performed during rescue breathing to ensure the victim still has a pulse.

If possible opioid overdose

A specific consideration for victims with no normal breathing but a pulse, where naloxone may be administered if available per protocol.

No breathing or only gasping, pulse not felt

A state indicating cardiac arrest, requiring immediate initiation of CPR.

Start CPR

Initiating chest compressions and breaths; performing cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths for victims in cardiac arrest.

AED (Automated External Defibrillator)

A device used to check heart rhythm and deliver an electrical shock (defibrillation) if a shockable rhythm is detected.

Shockable rhythm

A heart rhythm (ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia) that can be corrected by an electrical shock from an AED.

Nonshockable rhythm

A heart rhythm (asystole or pulseless electrical activity) that cannot be corrected by an electrical shock from an AED, requiring continued CPR.

Resume CPR immediately for 2 minutes

The action required after either a shock from an AED or a no-shock indicated message, continuing until prompted by the AED for another rhythm check.

Continue until ALS providers take over or victim starts to move

The criteria for ceasing or continuing basic life support measures, indicating the arrival of advanced medical help or spontaneous return of circulation.

Naloxone

A medication that can reverse the effects of opioid overdose, administered per protocol if available for opioid overdose victims.