W2 Basic Life Support

Question 1

You are a Pharmacist working in a busy community pharmacy, you see a patient collapse to the floor. How do you respond?

Answer 1

1. Dangers- see if there are any dangers to myself or people around. If there are, remove myself from scene.
2. AVPU pathway: Check for response. Shout loudly, “Can you hear me?” Shake their shoulders. If no response, shout for help.
3. Visual inspection: Check their airways, see if any rise and fall in persons chest.
4. If no breathing, they are in cardiac arrest. Shout for a defibrillator.
5. Start chest compressions. Depth 5-6cm. Keep elbows locked. Hands in centre of chest.
6. Attach defibrillator
7. Clear top middle bottom. Everyone stay clear, shock delivered.
8. Start 2 min CPR again

• Do not lean on chest- allow it to completely recoil after each compression.

Question 2

What is the AVPU pathway?
What is asked during this time?

Answer 2

A- Alert
V- Verbally responsive
P- Pain responsive
U- Unresponsive

Gently squeeze shoulders and
ask “Are you all right?”

Question 3

What is the recovery position?

Answer 3

Body laid down
Arms up
Knee brought up then roll them over to opposite side
Raise chin and place hand underneath so airways are exposed

Question 4

When do you stop CPR? (3)

Answer 4

If you notice signs of life and a patient breathing normally.
Or if someone of a higher medical grade comes and takes over.
Or if you become physically exhausted.

Question 5

What is an OHCA?
How many people survive an OHCA in the UK?

Answer 5

Out of hospital Cardiac arrest
1 in 10 people

Question 6

What is the key to saving a life? (unconscious)

Answer 6

Early CPR and Defibrillation

Question 7

What is the Chain of Survival? (4)

Answer 7

1. Early recognition and call for help ( to prevent CA)
2. Early CPR (to buy time)
3. Early defibrillation ( to restart the heart)
4. Post-resuscitation care (to restore quality of life)

Question 8

What is DR ABC?

Answer 8

Danger
Check response
Open airway
Check breathing
Chest compressions
Rescue Breaths

Question 9

How long should you check breathing for?

Answer 9

• Look, Listen and Feel for NORMAL breathing for no
  longer than 10 seconds.
• Check carotid pulse if trained

Question 10

What is Agonal Breathing?
Description of sound,

Answer 10

Should not be confused with normal breathing
*An abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by slow, laboured, noisy gasps. (think - Goldfish breathing)
*One gasp every 10-15 seconds
*Occurs shortly after the heart stops in up to 40% of cardiac arrests
*Not to be confused with normal breathing
*If unsure act as if breathing is not normal

Question 11

How many chest compressions should be done?
How should they be carried out? (3)
After what could be done? (optional step)

Answer 11

30
* Place the heel of one hand in the centre of the chest
* Place other hand on top and Interlock fingers
* Compress the chest 30 times
– Depth 5-6 cm
– Rate 100-120/min
* 2 rescue breaths

Question 12

What are the signs of choking? (4)

Answer 12

• Clutching throat
• Ineffective cough
• Excessive salivation
• Fear

Question 13

What action should be taken to stop someone from choking?

Answer 13

1. Encourage to cough
2. Give up to 5 back blows
3. Give up to 5 abdominal thrusts

Question 14

How do you use an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)?

Answer 14

As soon as an AED is available, turn it on and attach the pads to your patient’s bare chest.
The pads should be placed as shown on the pad’s
pictures.
When attached the AED will tell you to stop compressions whilst it analyses the patients heart
rhythm. Then it will say something (either shock advised or no shock advised)