When should CPR be started?

When should CPR be started?

• A. When the person has stopped breathing and has no heartbeat.
• B. When the person is coughing
• C. When the person has a mild fever
• D. When the person is conscious and talking

Answer: (A)

Starting CPR is appropriate when a person is in cardiac arrest—unresponsive, not breathing normally, and with no detectable heartbeat. In that state, chest compressions help circulate blood to the brain and other vital organs, and rescue breaths (if you’re trained) provide oxygen. The best answer describes someone who has stopped breathing and has no heartbeat, which exactly matches this situation. The other scenarios—coughing, having a mild fever, or being conscious and able to talk—show the person is still breathing or responsive, so CPR isn’t indicated there. In those cases, call for help and monitor the person, ready to act if their condition worsens and they stop breathing.

Starting CPR is appropriate when a person is in cardiac arrest—unresponsive, not breathing normally, and with no detectable heartbeat. In that state, chest compressions help circulate blood to the brain and other vital organs, and rescue breaths (if you’re trained) provide oxygen. The best answer describes someone who has stopped breathing and has no heartbeat, which exactly matches this situation. The other scenarios—coughing, having a mild fever, or being conscious and able to talk—show the person is still breathing or responsive, so CPR isn’t indicated there. In those cases, call for help and monitor the person, ready to act if their condition worsens and they stop breathing.