Critical Care Medicine — MCQs

Q: During cardiopulmonary resuscitation in an adult, at what rate are chest compressions given?

100 compressions/min. **Explanation:** The correct answer is **C. 100 compressions/min**. **Medical Concept:** According to the latest American Heart Association (AHA) and ERC guidelines for Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), the recommended rate for chest compressions in adults is **100 to 120 compressions per minute**. High-quality CPR is essential to maintain coronary and cerebral perfusion. A rate of at least 100 bpm ensures sufficient cardiac output, while exceeding 120 bpm is discouraged as it reduces the time for ventricular filling and decreases the quality of recoil. **Analysis of Options:** * **A (72/min) & B (90/min):** These rates are too slow. Inadequate compression frequency fails to generate the necessary intrathoracic pressure and arterial perfusion pressure required to restart the heart or protect the brain. * **D (120/min):** While 120 is the upper limit of the recommended range, standard medical examinations (like NEET-PG) traditionally prioritize the baseline "at least 100/min" as the gold standard answer when a range is not provided. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Compression Depth:** 2 to 2.4 inches (5 to 6 cm) in adults. * **Compression-to-Ventilation Ratio:** 30:2 for adults (single or dual rescuer). * **Recoil:** Allow complete chest recoil after each compression to allow the heart to fill. * **Minimize Interruptions:** Keep pauses in compressions to less than 10 seconds. * **EtCO2 Monitoring:** A capnography reading of <10 mmHg during CPR indicates poor quality compressions.

Practice by Chapter

Applied Respiratory Physiology

Practice Questions

Mechanical Ventilation Principles

Practice Questions

Ventilator Management Strategies

Practice Questions

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Practice Questions

Shock: Classification and Management

Practice Questions

Hemodynamic Monitoring in ICU

Practice Questions

Acid-Base Disorders

Practice Questions

Fluid and Electrolyte Management

Practice Questions

Sedation and Analgesia in ICU

Practice Questions

Neurocritical Care

Practice Questions

Renal Replacement Therapy

Practice Questions

Nutrition in Critical Illness

Practice Questions

Want unlimited practice?

Get full access to all questions, explanations, and performance tracking.

Start For Free

Scan to download app