Board of Legal SpecializationPractice Exam

When a code team is announced and resuscitation equipment is available, what should the team do next?

1. Immediately perform 30 chest compressions

2. Pause resuscitation until the team arrives

3. Check the patient's pulse before starting CPR

4. Prepare the patient for transportation

The correct answer is: Immediately perform 30 chest compressions

The correct answer is to immediately perform 30 chest compressions after a code team is announced and resuscitation equipment is available. This action aligns with the current guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which emphasize the critical importance of high-quality chest compressions in the early treatment of cardiac arrest. Immediate chest compressions are vital because they help maintain blood flow to the brain and other vital organs during a cardiac event until advanced medical help can take over. Starting CPR promptly has been shown to significantly improve survival rates and outcomes for patients experiencing cardiac arrest. Delaying resuscitation with actions such as pausing for the team to arrive or checking the pulse could result in a loss of precious time that might jeopardize the patient's chance of survival. Additionally, preparing the patient for transportation is not the immediate priority; the focus should be on stabilizing and resuscitating the patient first. Therefore, the prompt performance of chest compressions is essential and is in accordance with best practices in emergency cardiopulmonary care.