Question

What percentage of normal cardiac output can be achieved through cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)?

a. Approximately 30%
b. Approximately 50%
c. Approximately 70%
d. Approximately 90%

Answer 1

During CPR, only about roughly 30% of the heart's normal cardiac output can be achieved through manual chest compressions, aiming to preserve vital blood flow to the brain.

Thus option a. Approximately 30%. is correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

During cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), a person can manually compress the blood within the heart to push it into the pulmonary and systemic circuits.

Studies show that with CPR, only a fraction of the heart's normal cardiac output is achieved. The correct answer is a. Approximately 30%. High-quality chest compressions, as per current guidelines, aim to reach a depth of at least 5 cm at a rate of 100 compressions per minute, which helps maintain vital blood flow especially to the brain, to prevent irreversible damage.

Thus option a. Approximately 30%. is correct answer.