While performing CPR in a patient who had cardiac arrest, to maintain the quality and rate of compressions, rescuers should change roles in every _______.

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent -29 April-2025 (shift-2nd)

Explanation

The correct interval for rescuers to switch roles during CPR is every 2 minutes.
This practice is a core component of high-quality CPR, designed to prevent rescuer fatigue.
Fatigue can cause a rapid decline in the depth and rate of chest compressions, making resuscitation efforts less effective.
The 2-minute switch point often coincides with the rhythm analysis phase of an AED, allowing for an efficient and coordinated transition with minimal interruption to compressions.
This interval corresponds to approximately five cycles of 30 compressions to 2 breaths in adult CPR.

Option A: This interval is too long. Rescuer fatigue becomes significant well before 4 minutes, leading to shallow and ineffective chest compressions.
Option C: This interval is longer than the recommended guideline. By 3 minutes, the quality of chest compressions would likely be compromised due to rescuer fatigue.
Option D: This interval is too short. While it would prevent fatigue, switching every minute would cause frequent and unnecessary interruptions in chest compressions, reducing the overall chest compression fraction and coronary perfusion pressure.

Visual 1: Infographic - A clear diagram illustrating a two-rescuer CPR scenario. One rescuer performs chest compressions while the other manages the airway. An arrow indicates them switching roles, with a clock icon showing '2 minutes'.
Visual 2: Flowchart - A simple flowchart for a CPR cycle showing '30 Compressions -> 2 Breaths' repeated 5 times, leading to a decision box: '2 Minutes: Switch Compressor & Analyze Rhythm'.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Prioritize focused assessment, early escalation, and real-time monitoring when managing High-Quality Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Guidelines in acute care settings.
Effective teamwork and communication are critical during a resuscitation event. The team leader should clearly announce the plan to switch compressors before the 2-minute mark to ensure a smooth and rapid transition.
Rescuer fatigue is a direct threat to patient safety during cardiac arrest. It leads to poor quality CPR, which decreases blood flow to the brain and heart, worsening the patient's chance of survival.
What if? If a rescuer feels fatigued before the 2-minute mark, they should speak up immediately. It is better to switch early than to provide poor-quality compressions. The goal is effective resuscitation, not just adhering to a timer.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core subject of the question: It's about the execution of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Pinpoint the specific detail being asked: The question asks for the time interval for changing rescuer roles.
This is a factual recall question based on established clinical guidelines (e.g., American Heart Association - AHA).
Recall the standard protocol for high-quality CPR. The guidelines emphasize minimizing fatigue and interruptions.
Evaluate the options based on the principles of CPR. Intervals that are too long would cause fatigue, while intervals that are too short would cause excessive interruptions.
Select the option that balances preventing fatigue with minimizing interruptions, which is the standard 2-minute cycle.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full RRB Nsg. Superintendent -29 April-2025 (shift-2nd)

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