Basic Life Support (BLS) Practice Exam

When providing CPR to a pregnant patient, what is the recommended position for high-quality compressions?

1. Flat on the back

2. Left lateral position

3. Supine position with left uterine displacement

4. Elevated position with legs raised

The correct answer is: Supine position with left uterine displacement

The recommended position for providing CPR to a pregnant patient is the supine position with left uterine displacement. This approach is crucial because during pregnancy, the growing uterus can compress the major blood vessels, particularly the inferior vena cava, when a pregnant person is lying flat on their back. This compression can reduce blood flow to the heart and, consequently, diminish the effectiveness of CPR. By displacing the uterus to the left, one alleviates pressure on the inferior vena cava, thereby improving venous return to the heart and enhancing the blood flow during chest compressions. This position helps maintain both perfusion to the fetus and maternal circulation, which are critical factors during resuscitation efforts. In contrast, lying flat on the back can lead to a decrease in cardiac output and may hinder the resuscitation process. The left lateral position, while also sometimes recommended in specific scenarios outside of CPR, does not allow for effective chest compressions as they would be difficult to perform adequately. An elevated position with legs raised may not effectively address the issues caused by the compression of the major blood vessels, and therefore does not optimize the conditions for high-quality CPR.