Board of Legal SpecializationPractice Exam

In the adult cardiac chain of survival, which step immediately follows recognizing a cardiac emergency?

1. Start CPR

2. Call 911

3. Defibrillate the patient

4. Administer intravenous medication

The correct answer is: Call 911

In the adult cardiac chain of survival, the immediate step that follows recognizing a cardiac emergency is to call for emergency assistance, which typically involves calling 911 or the designated emergency number in your area. This action is crucial because it ensures that professional medical help is on the way while you can provide immediate care to the patient. After recognizing the cardiac emergency, it's essential to alert emergency services as they can provide advanced care beyond what can be done on the scene. This step prioritizes initiating a response from trained medical personnel who can administer treatments such as defibrillation and advanced life support. The sequence in the adult cardiac chain of survival emphasizes prompt action in alerting emergency services to maximize the chances of survival for the individual experiencing the cardiac emergency. The subsequent steps, such as starting CPR or using a defibrillator, are important but should occur after the emergency call is made to ensure the fastest possible professional response.