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Cardiac Arrest Management — ORE Part 1 MCQ

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EasyPharmacology & TherapeuticsCardiac Arrest ManagementORE Part 1

An adult patient collapses in the dental waiting room. They are unresponsive, their airway is open, and they are not breathing normally. A carotid pulse is not detected after 10 seconds. What is the next action?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: C — Start CPR at 30:2; call 999 and obtain the AED

This patient is in cardiac arrest: they are unresponsive, not breathing normally and have no detectable carotid pulse. Start CPR immediately, using 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths when trained and able, while another person calls 999 and brings the AED. Early high-quality CPR and early defibrillation are priorities. IM adrenaline is not the initial treatment for an undifferentiated cardiac arrest; it is used for anaphylaxis and is not a substitute for CPR. Rescue breaths alone omit essential circulatory support. The recovery position is for an unconscious patient who is breathing normally. Sublingual GTN is for suspected angina in a conscious patient and has no role in cardiac arrest.

Reference: NHS, First aid – CPR, adult CPR section, reviewed 15 March 2022. https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/first-aid/cpr/