Nursing with Professor B - BLS Review

Introduction

• Presenter: Professor Bridget
• Focus: Review of most tested items on the BLS (Basic Life Support) test
• Update Schedule: AHA updates every 5 years (Last update: 2020, Next update: 2025)

CPR BLS Cheat Sheet

Key Changes in CPR Recommendations

• Changed from ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) to CAB (Compression, Airway, Breathing)

Recognition of Unresponsive Patient

• Steps:
  1. Check for responsiveness (e.g., "Hey, can you hear me?")
  2. Activate 911 and get an AED
     • Assign specific individuals to call 911 and get AED to avoid the bystander effect
  3. Check for pulse (5-10 seconds)
  4. Check for breathing
     • Agonal gasping is not considered breathing (often first sign of cardiac arrest)

CPR for Adults

• Chest Compressions:
  • Rate: 100-120 compressions per minute
  • Depth: At least 2 inches, no more than 2.4 inches
  • Hand Placement: Mid nipple line, lower half of breastbone

CPR for Children

• Definition: Child is from 1 year to signs of puberty
• Chest Compressions:
  • Rate: 100-120 compressions per minute
  • Depth: At least one third the depth of chest, about 2 inches

CPR for Infants

• Definition: From birth to 1 year
• Chest Compressions:
  • Rate: 100-120 compressions per minute
  • Depth: At least one third the depth of chest, about 1.5 inches
  • Techniques: Two rescuer CPR uses thumb encircling; single rescuer uses two-finger technique

Best Practices

• Allow full chest recoil to let heart fill
• Minimize interruptions (limit to <10 seconds)
• Rotate providers every 2 minutes

Airway Management

• Techniques:
  • No trauma: Head tilt chin lift
  • Suspected trauma: Jaw thrust maneuver

Compression to Ventilation Ratios

• Adults: 30:2 (single or multiple rescuers)
• Children/Infants:
  • Single rescuer: 30:2
  • Multiple rescuers: 15:2

Advanced Airway Ventilation

• Ventilate once every 6 seconds (10 per minute)
• Look for visible chest rise

Use of AED

• Turn on AED and follow prompts as soon as available
• Appropriate to stop CPR while AED is in use
• Clear all bystanders before delivering a shock
• AED can be used on submerged victims after drying chest
• Use pediatric pads for children <8 years; adult pads if necessary

Foreign Body Airway Obstruction

• Adults: Perform abdominal thrusts
• Infants: 5 back slaps and 5 chest thrusts cycles

Special Situations

• Decreased heart rate in children/infants
  • Pulse >60 bpm: Begin rescue breaths
  • Pulse <60 bpm: Initiate CPR
• Ensure scene safety before engaging (avoid hazards like live wires in water)
• Pulse checks: Carotid artery for adults, brachial artery for infants

Monitoring and Team Dynamics

• Continuous waveform capnography for endotracheal tube placement
• Maintain carbon dioxide above 10 mmHg during CPR
• Two-minute CPR cycles

Conclusion

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• Acknowledgment of effort in creating educational content