At what rate chest will be compressed and what will be the rate of ventilation in adult patient?

Appeared in: NCL (MP) Nursing Officer - 2020

Explanation

For adult victims of cardiac arrest, the universally recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio is 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths (30:2).
This 30:2 ratio is standard for both single-rescuer and two-rescuer Basic Life Support (BLS) to simplify training and maximize circulation.
The emphasis is on delivering high-quality chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute with minimal interruptions.

Option A: A 15:1 ratio is not a standard recommended ratio for CPR in any age group in current BLS guidelines.
Option B: The 15:2 ratio is used for pediatric CPR (infants and children) when two or more rescuers are present. It is not the standard for adults.
Option C: A 30:1 ratio is not a standard recommended ratio. It provides insufficient ventilation.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Ratios for Adults to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
High-quality CPR is a critical life-saving intervention. Adhering to the correct compression rate, depth, and ratio directly impacts patient survival and neurological outcomes.
In a team setting, it is crucial to switch the person performing compressions every 2 minutes (or 5 cycles of 30:2) to prevent fatigue and a decline in compression quality.
What if an advanced airway (e.g., endotracheal tube) is placed? The protocol changes to continuous chest compressions without pauses, and one breath is delivered every 6 seconds (10 breaths/min).

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key elements of the question: the patient is an 'adult', and the question asks for the 'rate' (ratio) of chest compressions to ventilation.
Recall the Basic Life Support (BLS) guidelines for an adult patient.
Remember that the C-A-B (Circulation-Airway-Breathing) sequence is prioritized, with an emphasis on high-quality chest compressions.
Evaluate the given options. The standard ratio for adults, regardless of one or two rescuers, is 30 compressions to 2 breaths.
Select the option that matches the 30:2 ratio. Differentiate this from the pediatric two-rescuer ratio of 15:2.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 763-765

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 610-612

Practise the full NCL (MP) Nursing Officer - 2020

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.