Question

If a nursing assistant is in an emergency situation but has not been trained to perform CPR, she should:

(A) Perform CPR anyway.
(B) Ask someone at the scene to tell her how to do it
(C) Give basic first aid until the emergency medical team arrives
(D) Do nothing

Answer 1

A nursing assistant who is untrained in CPR should give basic first aid and not attempt CPR, as improper technique could cause harm. She should instead maintain calm and wait for professional medical help.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a nursing assistant is in an emergency situation but has not been trained to perform CPR, she should not attempt to perform CPR anyway as it requires proper technique and training. Instead, she should give basic first aid until the emergency medical team arrives. This approach is grounded in the reality that proper CPR positioning and technique are critical for its effectiveness and to minimize patient harm.

When performed improperly, CPR can cause serious injuries like broken ribs or sternum and potentially fatal consequences, such as driving the xiphoid process into the liver. Therefore, maintaining calm and providing basic first aid would be the best course of action in such a scenario without CPR certification.