What is the ratio of Chest Compression to Ventilation for an adult during CPR if there are two rescuers?

Appeared in: UP CHO - 2018

Explanation

According to current Basic Life Support (BLS) guidelines, the universal compression-to-ventilation ratio for an adult is 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths.
This 30:2 ratio remains consistent for adults regardless of whether there is a single rescuer or two rescuers.
Standardizing the ratio for adults simplifies the resuscitation process, reduces the chance of error, and emphasizes the importance of minimizing interruptions to chest compressions.

Option A: This is not a recognized compression-to-ventilation ratio in any standard CPR guideline.
Option C: The standard BLS protocol requires two rescue breaths after every 30 compressions to provide adequate oxygenation.
Option D: This ratio is specifically for pediatric resuscitation, not for adults. Adult physiology and the common causes of cardiac arrest differ from those in children.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain CPR compression-to-ventilation ratio for adults as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Knowing the correct CPR ratio is a critical, foundational skill for all healthcare providers. Using the wrong ratio can compromise patient outcomes by providing inadequate circulation or ventilation.
The 15:2 ratio for children with two rescuers reflects their higher oxygen demand and the fact that their cardiac arrests are often secondary to respiratory failure.
What if? If the adult patient has an advanced airway (e.g., an endotracheal tube or supraglottic airway) in place, the protocol changes. Compressions become continuous at a rate of 100-120 per minute, and one breath is given every 6 seconds without pausing compressions.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key parameters in the question: the patient's age group ('adult') and the number of rescuers ('two').
Next, recall the standard Basic Life Support (BLS) guidelines for CPR ratios.
Remember the rule for adults: the compression-to-ventilation ratio is always 30:2, regardless of the number of rescuers. This is a key point of simplification in adult CPR.
Differentiate this from the pediatric rule, where the ratio changes from 30:2 for a single rescuer to 15:2 for two rescuers.
Select the option that matches the guideline for a two-rescuer adult scenario.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q4RUsjyzF0_j1DdFGao-3J

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 UP CHO - 2018

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