New York State Basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B) Practice Exam

In adult two-rescuer CPR, when should the rescuer check for the return of a spontaneous pulse?

1. Every cycle of CPR

2. After 2 cycles of CPR

3. After 5 cycles of CPR

4. After 10 cycles of CPR

The correct answer is: After 5 cycles of CPR

In adult two-rescuer CPR, checking for the return of a spontaneous pulse after 5 cycles of CPR is important for several reasons. During CPR, the primary focus is to maintain circulation and oxygenation to vital organs when the heart has stopped beating. Each cycle of CPR consists of 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths, which can be thought of as a critical rhythm to help restore cardiac activity. Checking for a pulse every cycle may interrupt the flow of CPR, delaying necessary compressions, which are essential for maintaining blood flow. Therefore, waiting for 5 cycles allows enough time for the compressions to potentially resurrect heart function while minimizing interruptions. It also provides an appropriate benchmark after which a significant assessment can take place, as many patients may need several cycles before showing signs of recovery. Maintaining this structured approach helps ensure that the rescuer remains focused and efficient, providing high-quality CPR and effectively evaluating the situation. By following this guideline to check for a pulse cautiously after 5 cycles, rescuers can make informed decisions on whether to continue CPR or proceed with advanced interventions.