Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving technique used in emergencies such as cardiac arrest. As a nursing officer, you must be well-versed in both Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) protocols.
Key CPR Parameters for Adults
- Compression-to-Ventilation Ratio: 30:2 for one or two rescuers.
- Compression Rate: 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
- Compression Depth: At least 2 inches (5 cm) but not exceeding 2.4 inches (6 cm).
- Chest Recoil: Allow complete chest recoil after each compression; do not lean on the chest.
CPR Parameters for Children and Infants
- Ratio (Single Rescuer): 30:2
- Ratio (Two Rescuers): 15:2
- Infant Depth: About 1.5 inches (4 cm) using two fingers (single rescuer) or two thumb-encircling hands (two rescuers).
Remember: Switch chest compressors every 2 minutes (or 5 cycles of 30:2) to avoid rescuer fatigue and ensure high-quality compressions.
