Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

What is the typical response when a bystander begins CPR on a patient experiencing cardiac arrest?

1. Start with rescue breaths

2. Minimize interruptions for compressions

3. Provide chest compressions only

4. Assess the patient's pulse every minute

The correct answer is: Minimize interruptions for compressions

When a bystander begins CPR on a patient experiencing cardiac arrest, minimizing interruptions for compressions is crucial. High-quality chest compressions are essential for maintaining blood circulation to vital organs during cardiac arrest. The goal is to provide continuous compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute and a depth of at least 2 inches, allowing for full recoil of the chest between compressions. Research has shown that interruptions in chest compressions significantly decrease the effectiveness of CPR and the chances of survival. Therefore, encouraging bystanders to focus on performing chest compressions with minimal breaks—only pausing when absolutely necessary, such as when an automated external defibrillator (AED) is provided—is vital for increasing the patient's likelihood of survival. While rescue breaths can be effective in certain scenarios, the current guidelines for bystander CPR often emphasize "hands-only" CPR, which focuses solely on compressions, especially when the bystander is untrained or unsure about providing breaths. Assessing the patient's pulse every minute is unnecessary and impractical in a cardiac arrest situation; the priority is to deliver consistent and effective compressions to ensure adequate blood flow.