Which victim requires high-quality CPR?

Which victim requires high-quality CPR?

• A. A victim who is unresponsive, not breathing, but has a pulse
• B. A victim who is unresponsive, with no normal breathing and no pulse
• C. A victim who is responsive and breathing normally
• D. A victim who is coughing but alert

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is recognizing when CPR is needed. High-quality CPR is indicated for someone who is unresponsive, not breathing normally, and has no pulse—this is cardiac arrest, where circulating blood is not happening and immediate chest compressions are essential. In this scenario, the person is unresponsive, not breathing normally, and has no pulse. That combination means you must start high-quality CPR right away to pump blood to the brain and heart. Start chest compressions at a steady rate of about 100–120 per minute, push to a depth of around 2 inches for an adult, allow complete chest recoil, and minimize interruptions. If someone can help, call for emergency services and get an AED as soon as it’s available. By contrast: if there’s no pulse but the person is unresponsive and not breathing, CPR remains necessary; if there is a pulse but they’re not breathing normally, you would provide rescue breaths rather than chest compressions. If the person is responsive and breathing normally, or simply coughing and alert, CPR isn’t indicated.

The main idea here is recognizing when CPR is needed. High-quality CPR is indicated for someone who is unresponsive, not breathing normally, and has no pulse—this is cardiac arrest, where circulating blood is not happening and immediate chest compressions are essential.

In this scenario, the person is unresponsive, not breathing normally, and has no pulse. That combination means you must start high-quality CPR right away to pump blood to the brain and heart. Start chest compressions at a steady rate of about 100–120 per minute, push to a depth of around 2 inches for an adult, allow complete chest recoil, and minimize interruptions. If someone can help, call for emergency services and get an AED as soon as it’s available.

By contrast: if there’s no pulse but the person is unresponsive and not breathing, CPR remains necessary; if there is a pulse but they’re not breathing normally, you would provide rescue breaths rather than chest compressions. If the person is responsive and breathing normally, or simply coughing and alert, CPR isn’t indicated.