AHA BLS Provider flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Adult compression rate

Deliver compressions at 100 to 120 per minute for adults during high-quality CPR, allowing full chest recoil between compressions and minimizing interruptions.

Adult compression depth

Compress the adult chest at least 2 inches (5 cm) but not more than 2.4 inches (6 cm), with complete recoil after each compression.

Compression fraction

The proportion of resuscitation time spent performing compressions should exceed 60%, with all pauses kept under 10 seconds.

Adult 30:2 ratio

Without an advanced airway, give 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths for adults, pausing less than 10 seconds between cycles.

Advanced airway ventilation

With an advanced airway in place, give 1 breath every 6 seconds (10 per minute) for adults while compressions continue without pause.

Adult BLS first steps

Verify scene safety, check responsiveness, activate the emergency response system, and get an AED before checking breathing and pulse.

Pulse check duration

Palpate the carotid pulse for no more than 10 seconds; if a pulse is uncertain, begin chest compressions immediately.

Agonal gasps

Gasping is not normal breathing; a victim who is unresponsive with only gasping should receive CPR and AED treatment as a cardiac arrest.

Adult hand placement

Place the heel of one hand on the lower half of the sternum, the second hand on top, and keep arms straight with shoulders over the hands.

AED arrival during CPR

When an AED arrives, apply pads and follow prompts with minimal interruption; resume compressions immediately after the shock or no-shock advisory.

Pediatric age definitions

Infants are under 1 year, excluding newly born infants in the delivery room; children are 1 year to puberty.

Pediatric compression depth

Compress at least one third of the anterior-posterior chest diameter, about 1.5 inches (4 cm) for infants and 2 inches (5 cm) for children.

Two-rescuer pediatric ratio

For infants and children with two rescuers, use a 15:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio until an advanced airway is placed.

Lone rescuer pediatric CPR

Perform about 2 minutes of CPR before leaving an infant or child to activate the emergency response system, because asphyxial arrest is common.

Infant compression technique

Use two fingers just below the nipple line for a single rescuer, or the two-thumb encircling technique when two or more rescuers are present.

Pediatric advanced airway rate

With an advanced airway, give 1 breath every 2 to 3 seconds (20 to 30 per minute) for infants and children with continuous compressions.

Infant pulse check site

Palpate the brachial artery in an infant for no more than 10 seconds; in a child, palpate the carotid or femoral artery.

Rescue breath volume

Deliver each breath over about 1 second, just enough to produce visible chest rise, avoiding excessive volume and rate.

Head tilt-chin lift

Tilt the head and lift the chin to open the airway; use a jaw thrust without head tilt when a cervical spine injury is suspected.

Adult rescue breathing rate

For an adult with a pulse but inadequate breathing, give 1 breath every 6 seconds, about 10 breaths per minute.

Bag-mask seal

Effective bag-mask ventilation requires a head tilt-chin lift, a tight mask seal, and squeezing the bag over 1 second while watching for chest rise.

Oropharyngeal airway use

Insert an oropharyngeal airway only in a patient without a gag reflex; a nasopharyngeal airway is an alternative when the oral route is unsuitable.

AED pad placement

Place one pad below the right clavicle and one on the left lateral chest below the axilla; anteroposterior placement is an acceptable alternative.

Clearing before shock

Announce and visually confirm that no one is touching the patient before the AED analyzes the rhythm and before each shock is delivered.

Wet chest and AED

Move the patient from standing water and dry the chest so pads adhere; do not use an AED in a flammable atmosphere.

Implanted device and AED

Place AED pads at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator generator and avoid placing pads directly over it.

Hairy chest and AED

If pads do not adhere because of chest hair, quickly shave the pad sites or apply a second set of pads to maintain adequate contact.

Closed-loop communication

The team leader directs a task to a specific person by name, and that person confirms the message and reports back when the task is complete.

Constructive intervention

Any team member may speak up when an action appears harmful, and the team leader should acknowledge and correct the issue.

Naloxone indications

Give naloxone for suspected opioid overdose with inadequate breathing and a pulse; it does not replace CPR when the pulse is absent.

Opioid overdose with pulse

If the victim has a pulse but is not breathing adequately, provide rescue breaths and administer naloxone intranasally or intramuscularly.

Renarcotization risk

Naloxone may wear off before the opioid does, so continue monitoring breathing and repeat naloxone or resume rescue breathing if needed.