Which situations require immediate CPR with chest compressions?

Which situations require immediate CPR with chest compressions?

• A. A conscious person who is coughing.
• B. Someone who is breathing normally.
• C. Any unresponsive person with no breathing or no pulse.
• D. An unresponsive person who is breathing.

Answer: (C)

When you encounter an unresponsive person who is not breathing normally or has no pulse, you begin CPR with chest compressions right away. This is because the heart isn’t effectively pumping blood, so compressions push blood to the brain and other vital organs, keeping them supplied until help arrives or an AED can be used. If the person is conscious and coughing, it’s a choking situation, not cardiac arrest, so CPR isn’t started. If the person is unresponsive but breathing normally, there is still some circulation, so chest compressions aren’t indicated; instead, call for help, monitor breathing, and place them in the recovery position if needed. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing, begin CPR with chest compressions immediately and continue until emergency responders arrive or the person shows signs of life.

When you encounter an unresponsive person who is not breathing normally or has no pulse, you begin CPR with chest compressions right away. This is because the heart isn’t effectively pumping blood, so compressions push blood to the brain and other vital organs, keeping them supplied until help arrives or an AED can be used.

If the person is conscious and coughing, it’s a choking situation, not cardiac arrest, so CPR isn’t started. If the person is unresponsive but breathing normally, there is still some circulation, so chest compressions aren’t indicated; instead, call for help, monitor breathing, and place them in the recovery position if needed. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing, begin CPR with chest compressions immediately and continue until emergency responders arrive or the person shows signs of life.