HESI General Chairside Assisting Practice Exam

What is the currently accepted sequence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for the pediatric patient?

1. Call 911, airway, breathing, compressions

2. Airway, breathing, compressions, call 911

3. Compressions, call 911, airway, breathing

4. Breathing, compressions, call 911, airway

The correct answer is: Compressions, call 911, airway, breathing

The accepted sequence for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on pediatric patients prioritizes compressions first when a single rescuer is present. This approach emphasizes the importance of initiating chest compressions immediately to maintain blood flow and oxygen delivery to vital organs, particularly in situations where the child is unresponsive and not breathing. Once adequate compressions begin, the rescuer is then instructed to call for emergency assistance to ensure that professional medical help is on the way. After that, the rescuer can assess the airway and provide rescue breaths, focusing on re-establishing effective breathing in conjunction with continued compressions. This sequence is critical for optimizing the chances of survival, as activating the emergency response system after initiating compressions ensures that assistance is on its way without delaying the critical first steps of CPR.