👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team🕐 Updated 2026-08-23🏷️ Physiological Adaptation🔖 Free to read, print, and share
Also known as: heart stopped · code blue · cpr · resuscitation · no pulse
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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Cardiac Arrest and CPR Basics on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
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📒 The 1-minute cheat sheet
📌 Cab
Check pulse ≤ 10 sec
Compressions first, then airway
✅ Do
Rate 100-120/min, depth 2in
30:2 ratio single rescuer
Full recoil, minimize pauses
📌 Aed
Shock VF/pulseless VT only
Resume CPR immediately post-shock
📌 Avoid
Interrupt > 10 sec
Shocking asystole/PEA
📚 Cardiac Arrest and CPR Basics — full study notes
The cheat sheet above is your quick recall card. These notes go deeper — what it is, what to do first, what must be reported, and what to teach.
Cardiac arrest is the sudden cessation of effective cardiac function with no pulse and no breathing, leading to death without immediate intervention. High-quality CPR with early defibrillation is the key to survival. Remember C-A-B: Compressions, Airway, Breathing.
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Key points
Understand these first
Adult compressions are pushed at 100 to 120 per minute, at least 2 inches deep, allowing full chest recoil.
Compression-to-ventilation ratio is 30:2 for single-rescuer adult CPR without an advanced airway.
Minimize interruptions in compressions; pause less than 10 seconds for rhythm checks or defibrillation.
Shockable rhythms are ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia; asystole and PEA are not shocked.
Early defibrillation is the single most important factor improving survival in shockable arrest.
Switch compressors about every 2 minutes to prevent fatigue and maintain compression quality.
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Nursing priorities
What to do, in order
Check responsiveness and pulse for no more than 10 seconds, then start compressions immediately if pulseless.
Call for help and activate the code team and AED/defibrillator.
Deliver high-quality continuous compressions with minimal interruptions.
Attach the AED/monitor and defibrillate immediately for VF or pulseless VT.
Give epinephrine per ACLS and resume compressions right after any shock.
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Red flags — report now
Escalate immediately
Never delay starting compressions to search for equipment or an IV.
Do not shock asystole or pulseless electrical activity.
Stopping compressions for more than 10 seconds drastically reduces survival.
Failure to allow full chest recoil reduces blood flow - avoid leaning on the chest.
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Labs & values
Numbers to know
ABG/end-tidal CO2 used to gauge CPR quality (ETCO2 goal greater than 10-20 mmHg)
Check potassium and glucose for reversible causes
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Patient teaching
What patients must know
Bystanders should push hard and fast in the center of the chest and use any available AED.
Hands-only CPR is acceptable for untrained lay rescuers of adults.
Call 911 before starting CPR on an adult who has collapsed.
❓ Cardiac Arrest and CPR Basics: NCLEX FAQs
What are the priority nursing interventions for Cardiac Arrest and CPR Basics?
Check responsiveness and pulse for no more than 10 seconds, then start compressions immediately if pulseless. Call for help and activate the code team and AED/defibrillator. Deliver high-quality continuous compressions with minimal interruptions. Attach the AED/monitor and defibrillate immediately for VF or pulseless VT.
What are the warning signs of Cardiac Arrest and CPR Basics a nurse must report?
Never delay starting compressions to search for equipment or an IV. Do not shock asystole or pulseless electrical activity. Stopping compressions for more than 10 seconds drastically reduces survival. Failure to allow full chest recoil reduces blood flow - avoid leaning on the chest.
What do I need to know about Cardiac Arrest and CPR Basics for the NCLEX?
Adult compressions are pushed at 100 to 120 per minute, at least 2 inches deep, allowing full chest recoil. Compression-to-ventilation ratio is 30:2 for single-rescuer adult CPR without an advanced airway. Minimize interruptions in compressions; pause less than 10 seconds for rhythm checks or defibrillation. Shockable rhythms are ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia; asystole and PEA are not shocked.
What patient teaching is important for Cardiac Arrest and CPR Basics?
Bystanders should push hard and fast in the center of the chest and use any available AED. Hands-only CPR is acceptable for untrained lay rescuers of adults. Call 911 before starting CPR on an adult who has collapsed.
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Quick Tip
Adult compressions are pushed at 100 to 120 per minute, at least 2 inches deep, allowing full chest recoil.