Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Practice Exam

Which action is crucial for maintaining high-quality chest compressions?

1. Compressing at a rapid pace

2. Allowing complete chest recoil

3. Rotating compressing personnel every minute

4. Keeping the head tilted back

The correct answer is: Allowing complete chest recoil

Allowing complete chest recoil is essential for maintaining high-quality chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). When the chest is allowed to fully recoil between compressions, it enables proper filling of the heart with blood, which is critical for creating effective circulation. This complete recoil allows the heart chambers to expand fully, facilitating adequate blood flow both to the heart itself and out to the rest of the body during the next compression. High-quality chest compressions not only require the correct depth and rate but also emphasize the importance of allowing the chest to return to its normal position after each compression. Insufficient recoil can lead to decreased cardiac output, negatively impacting the chances of return of spontaneous circulation. In contrast, actions like compressing at a rapid pace, rotating compressing personnel every minute, or keeping the head tilted back are important in their own right, but they do not primarily address the necessity of complete chest recoil. Rapid compressions can lead to fatigue and ineffective CPR if not managed well, personnel rotations are about preventing fatigue rather than the quality of each compression, and head positioning is more relevant for airway management rather than the mechanical aspect of chest compressions. Thus, ensuring that the chest fully recoils is the most critical action for effective