Sequence of basic life support is?

Appeared in: NCL (MP) Nursing Officer - 2020

Explanation

The current American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, updated in 2010, recommend the C-A-B (Compressions-Airway-Breathing) sequence for adult and pediatric BLS.
The primary reason for this change was to reduce the delay in starting chest compressions, which is the most critical action for circulating oxygenated blood to the brain and heart.
Starting with 30 chest compressions immediately upon identifying cardiac arrest improves the chances of survival and good neurological outcome.
The previous A-B-C sequence involved checking the airway and giving breaths first, which created a critical delay of 30 seconds or more before vital blood circulation was initiated.

Option A: A-B-C (Airway, Breathing, Compressions) is an outdated sequence for most cardiac arrest situations. It delays the initiation of chest compressions, which are critical for survival.
Option C: C-B-A (Compressions, Breathing, Airway) is not a recognized or logical sequence in any BLS protocol. Opening the airway must occur before giving effective rescue breaths.
Option D: A-C-B (Airway, Compressions, Breathing) is an incorrect and illogical sequence. It is not used in any BLS guidelines.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Basic Life Support (BLS) Sequence as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Following the C-A-B sequence is a critical nursing skill that directly impacts patient survival and neurological outcomes during a cardiac arrest.
Immediate, high-quality chest compressions are the cornerstone of BLS. Any delay reduces the effectiveness of resuscitation efforts.
What if the victim is a drowning patient? While C-A-B is the standard, for cases of asphyxial arrest (like drowning or choking), providing a few initial rescue breaths before starting the C-A-B cycle may be beneficial, though starting compressions promptly remains a high priority.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core of the question: it asks for the correct sequence of Basic Life Support.
Recognize that the options (ABC, CAB, etc.) are acronyms for the steps of resuscitation: Airway, Breathing, and Compressions.
Recall the most current guidelines for BLS. The major change in recent years was to prioritize chest compressions.
This means the sequence must start with 'C' for Compressions.
Evaluate the options: Only 'CAB' starts with 'C' and follows a logical progression (Compressions, then open Airway, then give Breaths).
Select 'CAB' as the correct answer based on current evidence-based practice.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q830-BrDrqkltLG8teTfhL

E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) pp. 763-765, 762-764

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

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.