The symptoms and signs of cardiac arrest include?

Appeared in: KPSC Staff Nurse - 2017

Explanation

Cardiac arrest is defined as the sudden cessation of effective heart function, leading to the inability to pump and circulate blood.
The two hallmark, immediate signs of this event are the absence of a palpable central pulse (e.g., carotid) and the subsequent loss of consciousness due to lack of cerebral perfusion.
Breathing also ceases or becomes ineffective agonal gasping. These signs necessitate the immediate initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Option A: This describes respiratory distress or failure. While it can lead to cardiac arrest if uncorrected, it is not the arrest itself. In this state, the patient would still have a pulse.
Option B: Loss of consciousness can occur in many conditions. Sweating (diaphoresis) is a common sign of a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or shock, but a pulse is present in these conditions.
Option C: This is a paradoxical and inconsistent presentation for cardiac arrest. Once cardiac arrest occurs, both effective pulse and respirations are absent.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Recognition of Cardiac Arrest as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Rapid and accurate recognition of cardiac arrest is the first and most critical step in the chain of survival. Any delay in identifying pulselessness and unresponsiveness leads to delayed CPR and defibrillation, drastically reducing survival chances.
Nurses must be able to differentiate cardiac arrest from other emergencies. The immediate action is to check for responsiveness and a carotid pulse for no more than 10 seconds before starting chest compressions.
What if? If the patient is found unresponsive but is still breathing normally, the correct action is to place them in the recovery position and continue to monitor breathing and pulse while waiting for help. This is not cardiac arrest, and CPR is not indicated.

How to Approach the Question

First, understand the core definition of the term in the question stem: 'cardiac arrest'. This means the heart has stopped pumping blood effectively.
Think about the immediate consequences of the heart stopping. What happens to blood circulation and brain function?
Evaluate each option based on this core definition.
Option A describes a breathing problem, not a primary cardiac stoppage.
Option B includes sweating, which is a sign of a stress response but not specific to the absence of a heartbeat.
Option C presents a contradictory set of vitals not seen in cardiac arrest.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 5 p. 7-9

Practise the full KPSC Staff Nurse - 2017

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