During CPR after how many cycles does a rescuer change?

Combined AIIMS - 2020 (Jodhpur, Bhopal, Patna, Raipur)

Medical Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: Combined AIIMS - 2020 (Jodhpur, Bhopal, Patna, Raipur)

Explanation

According to the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, rescuers should switch positions every 2 minutes to prevent fatigue.
This 2-minute interval corresponds to approximately 5 cycles of CPR, with each cycle consisting of 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths.
The primary reason for this guideline is to maintain the quality of chest compressions (rate, depth, and recoil), which is crucial for patient survival.
Switching roles helps ensure that compressions remain effective, as rescuer fatigue can significantly decrease the quality of CPR.

Option B: Switching after only 4 cycles is too frequent and deviates from the standard 2-minute guideline. This would lead to more frequent interruptions in chest compressions without a significant benefit in preventing fatigue.
Option C: Changing after 3 cycles is significantly shorter than the recommended 2-minute interval. This would cause excessive interruptions in life-saving chest compressions, reducing the overall effectiveness of the resuscitation effort.
Option D: Switching after only 2 cycles would lead to very frequent interruptions, severely compromising the continuity and quality of chest compressions. The 2-minute/5-cycle rule is designed to balance rescuer fatigue with the need for continuous perfusion.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Guidelines as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
High-quality CPR is a cornerstone of survival from cardiac arrest. Rescuer fatigue is a major preventable factor that diminishes CPR quality. Adhering to the 2-minute/5-cycle switch rule is a critical nursing responsibility during a code.
Nurses often lead or participate in resuscitation teams. Knowing when to call for a switch is as important as knowing how to perform compressions. It ensures the patient receives the best possible chance of survival.
What if? If you are the only rescuer available, you should continue performing CPR without interruption until help arrives, an AED is available, or you are too exhausted to continue safely. The focus remains on high-quality compressions with minimal interruptions.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: it's asking for a specific number from CPR guidelines.
This is a factual recall question. Access your knowledge of the American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) protocols.
Recall the guideline for preventing rescuer fatigue. The key time interval is 2 minutes.
Translate the 2-minute time interval into CPR cycles. Remember that one cycle of 30 compressions and 2 breaths takes about 24 seconds.
Calculate: 120 seconds (2 minutes) divided by ~24 seconds per cycle equals 5 cycles. This confirms that 5 cycles is the practical equivalent of the 2-minute rule.
Select the option that matches this established guideline.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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