Emergency Interventions in Patient-Centered Care: CPR, Rescuer Safety, and Breathing Emergencies

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

An emergency technique combining chest compressions and rescue breaths to circulate blood and provide oxygen.

Automated external defibrillator (AED)

A portable device that analyzes heart rhythm and delivers a shock to treat lethal rhythms.

Ventricular fibrillation

A lethal heart rhythm where the heart quivers instead of pumping, often treated with an AED.

Cardiac arrest

An electrical/pumping failure of the heart, leading to unresponsiveness and absent or abnormal breathing.

Agonal respirations

Gasping, irregular breaths that are not normal breathing, often seen early in cardiac arrest.

Compressions

Chest compressions squeeze the heart and create pressure changes in the chest to aid blood flow.

Compressions depth target for adults

5 to 6 cm for effective CPR.

CPR compression rate

100 to 120 compressions per minute during CPR.

Hands-only CPR

CPR that consists of chest compressions without rescue breaths, recommended for many lay rescuers.

Compression-to-breath ratio for CPR

30 compressions to 2 breaths when giving breaths during CPR.

Rescue breaths

Breaths given during CPR to provide oxygen; should achieve visible chest rise without over-ventilating.

Implied consent

Assumed consent to provide emergency care to an unresponsive individual in a life-threatening situation.

Duty to act

The legal obligation of designated healthcare providers to respond to emergencies within their scope of practice.

Scene safety

The process of quickly assessing an emergency scene for hazards before providing aid.

First aid for severe bleeding

Applying firm direct pressure and appropriate dressings to control bleeding.

Choking (mild obstruction)

Coughing forcefully or being able to speak; the response is to encourage coughing.

Choking (severe obstruction)

Inability to speak, cough effectively, or breathe; abdominal thrusts are typically used for intervention.

Asthma emergency

A respiratory condition characterized by narrowing airways; immediate assistance with inhalers may be required.

Anaphylaxis

A rapid, systemic allergic reaction that can lead to difficult breathing and shock.

Opioid overdose

A condition where opioids suppress breathing; immediate intervention and rescue breathing may be needed.

Recovery position

Positioning an unresponsive but breathing person on their side to keep the airway open and allow drainage.

Closed-loop communication

Assigning tasks clearly and confirming they are understood during emergency management.

Triage in emergencies

Prioritizing immediate life-threatening conditions while providing care.

Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Utilizing gloves and barrier devices to prevent infection during emergency care.

Bystander CPR

The immediate response from a bystander involving CPR before professional help arrives.

Primary assessment in emergencies

Determining responsiveness and breathing status before activating emergency response.