Final answer:
The precordial thump is an emergency maneuver, not part of standard CPR, which focuses on chest compressions and artificial respiration according to clear guidelines, considering patient size and species for proper force application.
Step-by-step explanation:
A precordial thump is an emergency procedure used in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest when no defibrillator is available, not a standard part of CPR for animals or humans. Instead, the focus of CPR is to maintain blood flow through manual chest compressions and, if trained, providing artificial respiration.
During a cardiac arrest, it's critical to act quickly to restore blood flow to the brain to prevent irreversible damage. According to current CPR guidelines, one should apply pressure with the flat portion of one hand on the sternum, not directly over the heart, at a depth of at least 5 cm and at a rate of 100 compressions per minute. This technique helps squeeze blood out of the heart and into the systemic and pulmonary circuits, which is vital for brain survival.
It is also important to understand that too much force, particularly on a small animal like a cat, can cause severe injury or worsen the situation. The compression should be done with care, taking into account the size and species of the patient. In a clinical setting, various diagnostic tools like a stethoscope are used for auscultation to assess the heart's condition. In more severe medical interventions, substances like KCl are used to stop the heart during open-heart surgery.