TL;DR

CPR and AED: Chest compressions and ventilations during cardiac arrest combined with defibrillation.

By Valenke Exam Prep Team·Last updated 2026-06-02

CPR and AED

NREMT EMT NREMT PARAMEDIC

Definition

Chest compressions and ventilations during cardiac arrest combined with defibrillation.

Equipment & Tools

Equipment used in cpr and aed assessment and treatment:

BVM: Bag-valve-mask for manual ventilation. Available sizes: Adult (1500mL), Pediatric (500mL), Infant (250mL)
AED: Automated external defibrillator for VF/pVT. Available sizes: Adult pads (over 8yo or 25kg), Pediatric pads (under 8yo or 25kg)
Waveform capnograph: Measures end-tidal CO2 continuously with waveform display. Available sizes: Mainstream (inline), Sidestream (sampling)
King airway: Supraglottic blind-insertion airway device. Available sizes: Size 3 (4-5 ft), Size 4 (5-6 ft), Size 5 (over 6 ft)

Safety Considerations

Field safety for cpr and aed includes scene assessment before patient contact. Ensure BSI (body substance isolation) precautions are in place. PPE selection depends on the mechanism and suspected pathogens. Gloves are the minimum; add mask and eye protection for splash risk, N95 for airborne pathogens.

Never approach a scene involving hazardous materials, violence, or structural instability without proper resources and clearance from incident command.

Differential Diagnosis

When assessing cpr and aed, use structured assessment tools to differentiate between possible causes:

SAMPLE: Components: Signs/symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past history, Last intake, Events. Scoring: Mnemonic for patient history gathering.

OPQRST: Components: Onset, Provocation, Quality, Radiation, Severity, Time. Scoring: Pain assessment mnemonic.

Assessment Techniques

Assessment techniques for cpr and aed:

Trauma Score: Components: GCS, Systolic BP, Respiratory rate. Scoring: Revised Trauma Score: coded values 0-4, sum correlates with survival probability
Glasgow Coma Scale: Components: Eye opening (1-4), Verbal response (1-5), Motor response (1-6). Scoring: 3-15, 8 or less = severe, 9-12 = moderate, 13-15 = mild

Workplace Applications

In daily practice, cpr and aed is applied consistently according to facility protocols and current evidence-based guidelines. Competency is maintained through annual skills validation, continuing education, and quality improvement participation.

Why It Matters

CPR quality and AED operation are foundational NREMT skills.

Practice This Topic

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Frequently Asked Questions

What medications are commonly associated with cpr and aed?▼

For cpr and aed: amiodarone: 300mg IV/IO first dose, 150mg second dose, route IV/IO, for Refractory VF/pVT. adenosine: 6mg rapid IV push, then 12mg if needed, route IV rapid push with flush, for SVT (narrow complex tachycardia).

What protocol applies to cpr and aed in prehospital care?▼

For cpr and aed: RSI sequence: preoxygenation then sedation (etomidate 0.3mg/kg or ketamine 2mg/kg) then paralytic (succinylcholine 1.5mg/kg or rocuronium 1mg/kg) then intubation then confirm placement with waveform capnography

What assessment tools help evaluate cpr and aed?▼

For cpr and aed: Cincinnati Stroke Scale: evaluates Facial droop, Arm drift, Speech abnormality; scoring is Any 1 positive = 72% probability of stroke. OPQRST: evaluates Onset, Provocation, Quality, Radiation, Severity, Time; scoring is Pain assessment mnemonic.