New AHA, CPR, and AED Guidelines
by Travis
Question: I just got a question on one of my tests saying that you are to continue compressions after delivering a shock. Additionally, it says that you are not supposed to check for a pulse prior to analyzing the patient's rhythm. Why would you continue compressions on someone with a pulse? Why would you not check a patient's pulse prior to analyzing?
Answer: Major changes in AHA guidelines for 2005 specify that the shock be followed by 2 minutes of CPR, beginning with chest compressions. Guidelines specify that a rhythm or pulse check should not be attempted until 2 minutes or 5 cycles of CPR have been performed. You may read the AHA Current Summary of CPR Changes in the document below page 16 and 17. You can reference the NREMT AED skill sheet linked below as well. Pulse check has been eliminated.
AHA Currents CPR and AED Summary - http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3035517
NREMT cardiac arrest skill sheet - http://www.nremt.org/nremt/downloads/cardiacarrestmanagementaed.pdf
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See also
Troubleshooting Questions > CPR cycle and rate of compressions
Presale Questions > What is the rate of CPR for Children?
Troubleshooting Questions > What is the defined age for CPR for children and adults?
Troubleshooting Questions > What are the guidelines for changing out rescuers during CPR?
Presale Questions > The source of our emt questions
