uh...CPR question

Scrubmouse RN · Sep 16, 2012

If the victim has a pulse, I think you go straight to rescue breathing. One breath every 5-6 seconds for adults or 3-5 seconds for infants and children. If no pulse then start chest compressions

wish_me_luck, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2012

Scrubmouse, you are correct. The whole point is to fill in what the patient doesn't have. If they aren't breathing, but have a pulse, then you only give rescue breaths. If they don't have a pulse as well; you do both. If you do compressions on someone who has a pulse, you can cause them to have a dysrhythmia.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Sep 16, 2012

Respiratory arrest with pulse: rescue breathing once every 3-5 seconds infant/child, every 5-6 seconds adult. The ONLY pulse check is about 2 minutes after rescue breathing, if pulse keep breathing; no pulse start compressions. If you have the tools, BVM with supplemental O2 is preferred to pocket mask or BVM with no O2. Call 911/code team ASAP after establishing unresponsiveness.

See slide #12, 17, 20; slide #30 for pedi here: http://www.choa.org/health-professionals/~/media/CHOA/Documents/Health-Professionals/Physician Resources/AHA_Update_2010.ashx

You can also google "CPR algorithm"

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Sep 17, 2012

Remember, effective compressions can also make the lungs kick in, so you are not depriving the patient of oxygen. There is a little still in the body but it needs to circulate, which is why compressions are done first.

netglow, ASN, RN · Sep 17, 2012

So you know the next question is always ... "There is no pulse, I am sure of that, but I can't tell if they are breathing, what should I do???" LOL

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Sep 17, 2012

So you know the next question is always ... "There is no pulse, I am sure of that, but I can't tell if they are breathing, what should I do???" LOL

Wouldn't you know that very question was asked at the class I took last week...I sat through a full class as the refreshers conflicted with my schedule. It was entertaining to say the least.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2012

Hello!:)I must be overthinking,but all of a sudden found myself puzzled by the following:In the event of a respiratory arrest, do we start compressions? Or do we administer oxygen? I've googled this and have not yet found one definite answer..Mauve someone could share from experience?Much appreciated!:)

Like every other code starts....you assess non responsiveness, check for a pulse and respiration's, you call for help.

If there is a pulse you begin rescue breathing (mouth to mouth) until the ambu (BMV...bag, mask, valve) arrives as per the AHA CPR recommendations. When you loose the pulse you begin CPR........with the exception of neonates and infants.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2012

Administering oxygen won't do a dang thing if you don't supply ventilation to get it down to the alveoli and CO2 out (which is even more important).

While it is now standard that if you are doing chest compressions for pulselessness, this is going to provide adequate ventilation, you would NOT do chest compressions for ventilation if there is a pulse--- cardiac compressions on a beating heart are not a great idea.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Sep 17, 2012

Give it enough time and resp will preogress to full blown cardiac too so just wait if you dont know

NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN · Sep 17, 2012

Ok, so here's what you do in the simplest terms...

If you're out on the street and EVER feel like "Should I be doing CPR?" The answer is always YES!

If you are "with it" enough to think quickly through it or have help (coworkers), you'll just do the part they need.

netglow, ASN, RN · Sep 17, 2012

Yup and dead people don't breathe.

Justbeachy, I had a similar experience last summer when I re-upped at a refresher held at a hospital near me where 6 of that hospital's own RNs (one PACU, one L&D, and the others I was not sure of) failed the written portion by a lot of questions and had to sit down and rethink them. The nurse I had to partner with kept trying to do compressions on the child dummy just below it's belly button :banghead: This poor old retired firefighter instructor kept coming over and moving her hand up :lol2: This nurse told me she has been with the hospital for 10 years... ... ...