In what scenario should you initiate CPR?

In what scenario should you initiate CPR?

• A. If the person is conscious and has a heartbeat.
• B. Only if the person is choking but still breathing.
• C. If the person is unresponsive with no breathing or pulse and you are trained to provide CPR.
• D. As soon as someone appears pale, regardless of breathing.

Answer: (C)

Initiating CPR is appropriate when a person is unresponsive and not breathing and there is no detectable pulse, and you are trained to provide CPR. In that scenario, start chest compressions immediately to circulate blood and oxygen, while summoning help and preparing for rescue breaths if you’re trained to give them. If the person is conscious, or is breathing, or has a pulse, CPR isn’t started—you would assess and monitor instead and call for help. If the person is choking but still breathing, you’d address the choking situation rather than begin CPR. Use an AED as soon as it’s available and continue CPR until professional responders take over or the person shows signs of life.

Initiating CPR is appropriate when a person is unresponsive and not breathing and there is no detectable pulse, and you are trained to provide CPR. In that scenario, start chest compressions immediately to circulate blood and oxygen, while summoning help and preparing for rescue breaths if you’re trained to give them. If the person is conscious, or is breathing, or has a pulse, CPR isn’t started—you would assess and monitor instead and call for help. If the person is choking but still breathing, you’d address the choking situation rather than begin CPR. Use an AED as soon as it’s available and continue CPR until professional responders take over or the person shows signs of life.