BLS — Basic Life Support — All Questions
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What is the first link in the out-of-hospital adult Chain of Survival?
- a.Advanced life support by paramedics
- b.Recognition of the arrest and activation of the emergency response system✓
- c.Post-cardiac-arrest care in the ICU
- d.Defibrillation with an AED
The out-of-hospital chain begins with recognizing that the person is in cardiac arrest and activating the emergency response system (calling 911 and sending someone for an AED). Only after recognition and activation can the following links — immediate high-quality CPR, rapid defibrillation, advanced care, and post-arrest care — proceed.
How does the in-hospital Chain of Survival differ from the out-of-hospital chain at its start?
- a.It begins with post-arrest care rather than CPR
- b.It has no role for defibrillation
- c.It begins with surveillance and prevention to recognize deterioration and prevent arrest✓
- d.It skips activation of a response team
The in-hospital chain starts with surveillance and prevention — monitoring patients and recognizing deterioration early to prevent the arrest from happening — followed by activation of the rapid response or code team. Hospitalized patients are continuously monitored and surrounded by professionals, whereas out-of-hospital victims depend on bystanders and EMS.
Why is early defibrillation such a critical link in the Chain of Survival for a shockable rhythm?
- a.For every minute defibrillation is delayed, the chance of survival falls by roughly 7 to 10 percent✓
- b.Defibrillation is only useful after 20 minutes of CPR
- c.Defibrillation replaces the need for chest compressions entirely
- d.Early defibrillation matters only in the hospital setting
For ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia, defibrillation is the definitive treatment, and survival drops by approximately 7 to 10 percent for each minute it is delayed without CPR. This is why getting an AED on the chest quickly, combined with immediate high-quality CPR, is a priority for the BLS provider.