7.2 HCP BLS Course Recap & Exam Preparation

Congratulations on completing the Healthcare Provider BLS Course! You’ve developed critical skills to assess, respond to, and manage cardiac and respiratory emergencies in clinical environments. This final chapter will reinforce the essential points you’ve learned and prepare you for the certification exam with clear explanations and quick-reference tools.

Key Components of High-Quality BLS

At the heart of every successful resuscitation effort is high-quality CPR. As a healthcare provider, you're expected to exceed the standards of layperson BLS by applying precise, team-based, and evidence-based care.

• Early recognition of cardiac arrest and immediate initiation of CPR.
• Effective chest compressions with the correct rate, depth, and recoil.
• Minimal interruptions to maintain perfusion pressure.
• Prompt AED use integrated smoothly into resuscitation.
• Team-based coordination with clear communication and role assignments.

Age Group	Compression Rate	Compression Depth	Ventilation Rate (Pulse Present)	Compression-to-Breath Ratio
Adults	100–120/min	At least 2 inches (5 cm)	1 breath every 5–6 seconds	30:2 (single or two-rescuer)
Children	100–120/min	At least 1/3 of chest (~2 in / 5 cm)	1 breath every 3–5 seconds	30:2 (single rescuer), 15:2 (two-rescuer)
Infants	100–120/min	At least 1/3 of chest (~1.5 in / 4 cm)	1 breath every 3–5 seconds	30:2 (single rescuer), 15:2 (two-rescuer)

Airway Management & Ventilation Tips

Maintaining an open airway and providing effective ventilations are essential components of HCP-level BLS. This includes the use of bag-mask ventilation and airway adjuncts when appropriate.

• Always use a head tilt–chin lift unless trauma is suspected (then use jaw thrust).
• Bag-mask ventilation (BVM) should be done with two providers if possible: one maintains the seal, the other squeezes the bag.
• Rescue breaths should produce visible chest rise and last about 1 second per breath.

Condition	Action
Pulse Present, No Normal Breathing	Rescue breathing only (no compressions)
No Pulse	Begin chest compressions + ventilations
Suspected Opioid Overdose	Rescue breaths + administer naloxone (if trained)

AED Use & Integration

AEDs should be applied as soon as they are available, and their use should never significantly interrupt chest compressions. Your role is to integrate AED steps fluidly with other resuscitation tasks.

• Apply AED pads while compressions continue.
• Stop compressions only when advised for analysis or shock delivery.
• Resume compressions immediately after a shock.
• Use pediatric pads for children under 8 years or switch to pediatric mode if available.

Special Populations & Modifications

Healthcare providers must adapt BLS procedures based on the patient's condition, environment, and underlying cause of arrest. This course covered essential adjustments for pregnant patients, trauma patients, and opioid overdose cases.

Population	Key Modifications
Pregnant Patients	Manual left uterine displacement (LUD), prepare for emergency C-section if no ROSC after 4–5 minutes
Trauma Patients	Use jaw thrust for airway, control bleeding, anticipate spinal injury and chest trauma
Opioid Overdose	Provide rescue breathing, administer naloxone, monitor for re-narcotization

Let’s do this—your exam is next!