HCP BLS Course Recap & Exam Preparation

Congratulations on completing the Healthcare Provider BLS Course! You’ve learned the essential skills needed to provide high-quality resuscitation in both routine and complex clinical settings.

Key Takeaways from the Course

High-Quality CPR Principles

• Compression Rate: 100-120 per minute.
• Compression Depth:
  • Adults: At least 2 inches (5 cm).
  • Children: At least 1/3 of the chest diameter (~2 inches or 5 cm).
  • Infants: At least 1/3 of the chest diameter (~1.5 inches or 4 cm).
• Minimize interruptions – Limit pauses to less than 10 seconds.
• Full chest recoil is essential for maximizing perfusion.

Airway & Ventilation Considerations

• Rescue breathing (if pulse present, no breathing):
  • Adults: 1 breath every 5-6 seconds (~10-12 breaths per minute).
  • Children/Infants: 1 breath every 3-5 seconds (~12-20 breaths per minute).
• Bag-mask ventilation should ensure visible chest rise without excessive force.

AED Use & Special Considerations

• Apply AED pads early and continue compressions while the AED charges.
• Use pediatric pads for children under 8 years old (or switch to pediatric mode if available).
• For pregnant patients, use left uterine displacement (LUD) to improve circulation.

Special Populations & Modifications

• Pregnant Patients: Displace the uterus leftward to improve circulation, and consider emergency C-section after 4-5 minutes if maternal resuscitation is unsuccessful.
• Trauma Patients: Use the jaw thrust maneuver for airway management if spinal injury is suspected, and control severe bleeding with direct pressure, tourniquets, or wound packing.
• Opioid Overdose: Provide rescue breaths, administer naloxone (Narcan), and be prepared to continue CPR if the patient remains unresponsive.