Emergency Care and Resuscitation
What the exam tests
This domain tests recognition of cardiac arrest, choking, anaphylaxis, shock, stroke, and acute coronary syndrome, plus correct basic life support and emergency handover.
Core rules
- Follow the chain of survival: recognize, call emergency services (103/112 in Kazakhstan), start CPR, use an AED, and hand over to advanced care.
- Adult CPR: compressions at 100–120/min, depth 5–6 cm, full recoil, minimize interruptions, and give 30 compressions to 2 ventilations with a bag-mask if trained.
- Check breathing and pulse for no more than 10 seconds. Agonal gasps are not normal breathing.
- AED: expose and dry the chest, attach pads, clear everyone during analysis and shock, and resume compressions immediately.
- Anaphylaxis: stop the trigger, call for help, give intramuscular adrenaline into the anterolateral thigh per protocol, oxygen, and IV fluids.
- Use a structured handover: patient, event, observations, treatment, response, and next priorities.
Worked example
An adult collapses in the corridor. The nurse checks response, calls 103/112 and the resuscitation team, checks breathing for 10 seconds, and starts chest compressions. A colleague brings the AED. The nurse continues compressions while pads are applied, clears the area for analysis, and resumes immediately after the shock. Reasoning: early compressions and defibrillation are the interventions most likely to change survival.
Traps
Delaying compressions to find a pulse; giving too much ventilation; leaning on the chest; refusing to use an AED on a wet chest before drying it; and giving oral fluids to a drowsy patient. Also do not stop CPR to document during the arrest.