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5 votes
Four BLS Providers have been performing

CPR on an adult cardiac arrest patient for
18 minutes. The last switch in roles was only
about a minute ago, but the compressor
says, "I'm exhausted." What should they do?

User Jannis M
by
9.2k points

2 Answers

3 votes

Answer:

If the compressor is exhausted after performing CPR on an adult cardiac arrest patient for 18 minutes, they should switch to a fresh provider for chest compressions, ensure proper compression depth and rate, minimize interruptions, and consider using mechanical devices if available. Quality compressions are crucial for the patient's chances of survival.

Step-by-step explanation:

User Abevieiramota
by
8.2k points
4 votes

Answer:

Switch to a less-tired compressor immediately

Step-by-step explanation:

In the event that there is more than a single rescuer performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a patient, the rescuers should switch every 2-4 cycles of 30 high-quality chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths with adequate chest rise and fall. The numbers of cycles before a switch of roles is conducted are not rigid. Instead, if a rescuer is too tired to perform high-quality chest compressions, a switch should be coordinated as soon as possible.

This is because the likelihood of survival for the cardiac arrest patient is somewhat dependent on high-quality chest compressions with a depth of 1.5-2 inches delivered a rate of 100-120 beats per minute. An exhausted rescuer may not be adequately pump the heart in order to perfuse blood to the patient's vital organs and tissues until an AED and or proper emergency services can arrive. In order to ensure the patient receives the best possible care, a less fatigued BLS provider should take over this important task, and the exhausted rescuer can then assume another role in the rescue such as providing mouth-to-mouth, compressing the oxygen bag, searching for or contacting help, etc. The exhausted rescuer can also rest and prepare for the switching of roles to once again reach their turn.

The amount of time or the amount of cycles do not always dictate when a switch of roles occurs. Thus, if a compressor states that they are tired, despite only switching one minute ago, another BLS provider should take over.

User Alaeddine
by
8.6k points
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