Basic Life Support (BLS) Practice Exam

What is the primary purpose of performing high-quality CPR?

1. To ensure the patient is comfortable

2. To improve the chance of restoring a viable heart rhythm

3. To maintain blood circulation and oxygenation

4. To prepare the patient for defibrillation

The correct answer is: To maintain blood circulation and oxygenation

The primary purpose of performing high-quality CPR is to maintain blood circulation and oxygenation. When a person experiences cardiac arrest, their heart is unable to pump blood effectively, leading to a lack of oxygen being delivered to vital organs, particularly the brain. By performing high-quality CPR, which includes effective chest compressions and rescue breaths when appropriate, you help to circulate whatever blood is still in the system, delivering some degree of oxygen to the organs and tissues. This is crucial because brain cells can begin to die within minutes without oxygen, leading to irreversible damage or death. Maintaining circulation and oxygenation through CPR serves as a temporary measure until advanced medical care, such as defibrillation or emergency medical services, can take over. This emphasis on circulation and oxygenation directly underlines the importance of high-quality compression depth and rate, as well as minimizing interruptions during the process. While other options are related to different aspects of the emergency response, such as restoring a viable heart rhythm or preparing for defibrillation, they are not the primary purpose of CPR itself. The key concept here is that the immediate goal of high-quality CPR is to sustain life by maintaining blood flow and oxygen levels until professional help arrives.