CPR question

[bryn25]

Hi, Just a quick question about CPR... In class they taught us 30 compressions and then 2 breaths. Someone was saying that during a code you give breaths the whole time cpr is happening?? Is this true?

[Luckyyou, BSN, RN]

I believe you only continue ventilations during compressions if the patient is intubated. But my BLS is due to be renewed soon so it may have changed...

[klone, MSN, RN]

Only if intubated

[Buckeye.nurse]

Per AHA BLS, we teach to give 30 compressions and then 2 breaths until a patient is intubated...then compress at a rate of 100-120 compressions/minute independent of breaths.

With that being said, I get asked this question every few months during classes that I teach for my employer. People will say that they were in a code recently where breaths were given during compressions. I reinforce BLS, but advise them to also listen to the MD lead for the code.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

Per AHA BLS, we teach to give 30 compressions and then 2 breaths until a patient is intubated...then compress at a rate of 100-120 compressions/minute independent of breaths.

With that being said, I get asked this question every few months during classes that I teach for my employer. People will say that they were in a code recently where breaths were given during compressions. I reinforce BLS, but advise them to also listen to the MD lead for the code.

^Good answer^

If you're in the hospital and have the luxury of having additional personnel and an ambu bag...and the person bagging is not in the way...then yes, more than 2 breaths are happening. In the non-hospital world, do as you were taught in training (30:2).