Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

5 Cardiovascular Emergencies, CPR and AED Assess, recognize, and provide first aid for problems with the airway, breathing, and circulation. Look for additional signs of cardiovascular problems such as poor skin condition 4. Should you activate 911 or wait? Why or why not? The patient is showing common signs and symptoms of a heart attack and has high blood pressure, a heart condition. Early recognition and activation of the chain of survival is critical. Any delay can lessen the patient’s chance of survival. 5. What resources do you have available to you? Using others to activate 911, getting any first aid kit or an AED, and preparing for the arrival of the paramedics allows you to focus on providing aid to the patient.

1. What is the function of the heart? The function of the heart is to receive deoxygenated blood from the body, send it to the lungs to be reoxygenated, and then pump the oxygenated blood to the tissues of the body. The heart must be able to pump effectively under all conditions to provide the body with an uninterrupted supply of oxygen while transporting carbon dioxide to the lungs for removal. 2. What does the heart require to function properly? The heart requires a constant supply of oxygenated blood. It also requires electricity to stimulate the contractions of the heart muscle. Unlike other muscles, the heart muscle creates its own electrical impulses. 3. What should you include in your primary assessment of a patient with heart problems? The primary assessment remains the same for all patients.

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