Basic Life Support

Question 1

What is BLS?

Answer 1

a fundamental emergency intervention given to someone experiencing a life threatening event.

Question 2

How long should assessment of signs of life take?

Answer 2

Less than 10 seconds

Question 3

What rate should you begin CPR at?

Answer 3

Rate: 100-120/min Depth: 5-6cm (1/3 of depth of chest) Give 2 breaths every 30 compressions

Question 4

What does AED stand for?

Answer 4

Automated External Defibrillator

Question 5

What is an AED?

Answer 5

a safe device which is used to deliver a shock to a patient who has had a cardiac arrest.

Question 6

What is the recovery position?

Answer 6

where an unconscious but breathing patient is placed in a lateral position to help maintain their airway and prevent them from choking.

Question 7

Describe putting patient into recovery position

Answer 7

Question 8

What are vital signs?

Answer 8

The measurement of a number of physiological parameters.

These include temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturations. These can be used to help calculate a patient’s NEWS score.

Question 9

What equipment is needed for temperature?

Answer 9

1. Ear thermometer
2. Disposable tip

Question 10

What bin is thermometer probe cover disposed in?

Answer 10

Clinical waste (orange)

Question 11

How do you take pulse manually (without pulse oximetry device)?

Answer 11

Palpate the pulse for 30 seconds and multiply result by two. If the pulse is irregular, take pulse for one full minute. (If this is the first time the patient’s pulse has been taken it should be palpated for a full minute.)

Question 12

When should a pulse be recorded for a full minute?

Answer 12

• If the pulse is irregular
• If this is the first time the patient’s pulse has been taken

Question 13

When should a respiration rate ideally be taken?

Answer 13

When the patient is unaware

Question 14

Describe taking blood pressure procedure

Answer 14

1. Place cuff
2. Place stethoscope over brachial artery and palpate pulse
3. Inflate cuff until you can no longer hear pulse
4. Slowly deflate cuff at rate of about 2mmHg/second
5. Listen with the stethoscope and simultaneously observe the sphygmomanometer. The first knocking sound (Korotkoff) is the subject’s systolic pressure (when you can hear pulse again)
6. Continue to deflate the cuff, listening for when sounds disappear –> This is the DIASTOLIC PRESSURE (e.g. 120/80)

Question 15

What is white coat hypertension (WCH)?

Answer 15

people exhibit a blood pressure level above the normal range, in a clinical setting

Question 16

What is pulse oximetry? How is it performed?

Answer 16

Pulse oximetry is used to measure oxygen saturations by the use of a probe placed most commonly on the finger.

The probe monitors the percentage of haemoglobin in arterial blood that is oxygen-saturated.

Question 17

What should ox sat be in healthy patients?

Answer 17

>95%

Question 18

What is expected ox sat in patients with respiratory diseases?

Answer 18

88-92%

Question 19

What may give falsely low readings in pulse oximetry?

Answer 19

1. Nail polish
2. Cold extremeties

Question 20

What is used to measure peak expiratory flow?

Answer 20

Peak flow meter with disposable mouth piece

Question 21

How is peak expiratory flow measured?

Answer 21

1. Check that the gauge on the peak flow monitor is moved to zero.
2. Peak flow monitor should be held horizontal
3. Take a deep breath before blowing as hard and fast as possible into the mouthpiece (sealed lips around mouthpiece)
4. Ask the patient to repeat the process three times and record the best of these results on the appropriate charts/paperwork.

If the patient is to record their peak flow at home, ask them to do so at the same time of the day as there is a diurnal variation.

Question 22

If partial obstruction is supsected during choking, what should yoy encourage the patient to do?

Answer 22

Cough while leaning forward

Question 23

What may indicate complete obstruction during choking?

Answer 23

If patient cannot vocalise response to ‘are you choking?’

Question 24

How do you deal with complete obstruction?

Answer 24

Back slaps:

1. Remove obvious debris from mouth, including loose dentures
2. Stand to side and slightly behind patient
3. Support them by placing one arm across their chest and lean them forward
4. Give up to five sharp back slaps between their scapulae with heel of your hand
5. After each slap, check their mouth for dislodged obstruction

Question 25

What should you do if back slaps are ineffective?

Answer 25

Carry out up to 5 abdominal thrusts: 1. Stand behind patient and put your arms around the upper part of their abdomen 2. Lean patient forward 3. Clench your fist and place just beneath their sternum 4. Grasp your fist with your other hand 5. Pull sharply upwards and inwards in order to expel air from lungs and so dislodge obstruction

Question 26

If abdominal thrusts fail and patient loses consciousness, what should you do?

Answer 26

CPR (starting wth 30)

Question 27

What sample is needed during urinalysis?

Answer 27

Mid stream

Question 28

What should you check for when checking sample during urinalysis?

Answer 28

1. Note for clarity, particles, and colour before removing lid of container 2. Remove lid of container and check odour 3. Check multistix container is intact and in date. DO NOT use if stored in humid environment or if out of date as accuracy of results cannot be guaranteed

Question 29

How is urinalysis performed?

Answer 29

1. Dip test strip into urine to wet all the test zones (no more than one second) 2. Remove strip and drag the edge of the strip along the rim of sample bottle to remove excess 3. Replace lid 4. Take note of the time and compare test zones on strip against those on the multistix container at the appropriate time. BE ACCURATE IN YOUR TIMING 5. Note any abnormalities 6. Dispose of waste appropriately. (Urine down sluice or toilet, container into clinical waste bag, fold test strip inside gloves as you remove them) 7. Wash hands 8. Record results

Question 30

What is the correct way to open the airway in a patient you suspect has a neck injury?

Answer 30

Jaw thrust

Question 31

What is jaw thrust?

Answer 31

An alternative manoeuvre for bringing the mandible forward and relieving obstruction by the tongue, soft palate and epiglottis. It is mainly used in suspected cervical spine injury when excessive head tilt could potentially cause spinal cord damage.

Question 32

What is the correct order of sequence for Adult Basic Life (BLS) algorithm?

Answer 32

1. Danger (to yourself) 2. Response (of patient) 3. Shout for help 4. Open and assess airway 5. Assess breathing and circulation 6. If no signs of life --\> call crash team on 2222, locate crash ttrolley and defibrillator OR call 999 7. Chest compressions 8. Attach defibrillator

Question 33

During In-Hospital Resuscitation, the person delivering chest compressions must be switched:

Answer 33

No more than every 2 minutes or earlier if tired

Question 34

Describe paediatric BLS algorithm

Answer 34

1Danger Response Shout for help Open and assess airway Assess for breathing and circulation – no signs of life 5 rescue breaths Chest compressions/rescue breaths: ratio 15:2 Call crash team on 2222 locate crash trolley and defibrillator /dial 999