During cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the compression-ventilation ratio for the adult patient with cardiac arrest is:

Appeared in: BHU NO - 12 April 2024

Explanation

The correct compression-ventilation ratio for an adult in cardiac arrest is 30 compressions to 2 breaths (30:2).
This ratio is recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA) for both single-rescuer and two-rescuer CPR in adults.
The primary goal is to maximize blood flow to vital organs by prioritizing high-quality chest compressions with minimal interruptions.
This standard simplifies training and application, ensuring a consistent approach regardless of the number of rescuers present.

Option A: The ratio of 20:4 is not a recognized or recommended compression-ventilation ratio in any standard CPR guideline.
Option B: The ratio of 60:2 is not a standard CPR guideline. It would lead to prolonged periods without ventilation and is not an effective balance.
Option C: The 15:2 ratio is specific to pediatric CPR, not adult CPR. It is used only when two or more rescuers are present for an infant or child.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Prioritize focused assessment, early escalation, and real-time monitoring when managing CPR Compression-Ventilation Ratio in acute care settings.
In clinical practice, delivering high-quality CPR is a fundamental skill. Knowing the correct 30:2 ratio for adults is critical for Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and for responding effectively during a code blue or out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
The emphasis is always on 'pushing hard and fast' (100-120 compressions/min, depth of at least 2 inches) and minimizing interruptions in chest compressions to less than 10 seconds.
What if the patient has an advanced airway (e.g., an endotracheal tube)? The CPR protocol changes. Chest compressions are performed continuously without pauses, and ventilations are given at a rate of 1 breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths/minute).

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key elements of the question: 'cardiopulmonary resuscitation', 'compression-ventilation ratio', and 'adult patient'.
This is a factual recall question based on established medical guidelines (AHA).
Recall the standard CPR ratio for adults. Remember that the guidelines aim for simplicity and effectiveness.
Consider the options. The most common point of confusion is between the adult ratio (30:2) and the pediatric two-rescuer ratio (15:2).
Since the question specifies an 'adult patient', confidently select the 30:2 ratio.
Eliminate other options like 20:4 and 60:2 as they are not part of any standard CPR protocol.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: CPR Compression-Ventilation Ratio
Stem keywords: cardiopulmonary resuscitation, compression-ventilation ratio, adult patient, cardiac arrest
Lead-in keywords: is

Q9lmIIZyNIE5214RSolSYw

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 1 Part 3 p. 45-47

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

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

Practise the full BHU NO - 12 April 2024

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