Board of Legal SpecializationPractice Exam

During CPR, why is it important to allow full chest recoil after each compression?

1. To reduce the workload of the heart

2. To ensure maximal venous return and maintain blood flow

3. To prevent injury to the patient's ribs

4. To allow time for the rescuer to recover

The correct answer is: To ensure maximal venous return and maintain blood flow

Allowing full chest recoil after each compression during CPR is crucial for ensuring maximal venous return and maintaining blood flow. When chest compressions are performed, the heart and thoracic cavity are compressed, which forces blood out of the heart and into the circulation. If the chest is not allowed to fully recoil, the negative pressure that aids in drawing blood back into the heart is not achieved. When the chest recoils completely, it creates a vacuum effect in the thoracic cavity that facilitates the filling of the heart with blood, thereby increasing the amount of blood that can be pumped out during the next compression. This cyclical process is vital for maintaining adequate perfusion to vital organs during a cardiac arrest scenario. Options that suggest reducing workload, preventing injury, or allowing a rescuer's recovery do not capture the primary physiological benefit of chest recoil, which revolves around blood flow dynamics and effective circulation.