Which is a stopping condition for chest compressions?

Which is a stopping condition for chest compressions?

• A. The AED arrives
• B. The person regains consciousness or after 30 minutes
• C. The bystander takes over
• D. The patient starts breathing spontaneously

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is when it’s appropriate to stop chest compressions during CPR. You stop when there are clear signs the person has regained life or when continuing would no longer be beneficial. The best choice reflects two practical stopping points: the person regains consciousness, which means they’ve developed signs of life and is no longer in need of chest compressions, and a defined prolonged effort (here, 30 minutes) without return of circulation suggests continuing may be futile and a change in care is appropriate. In other words, once there are signs of life or after an extended attempt with no ROSC, stopping compressions is the reasonable action. The other options don’t describe definitive stopping conditions in the same way. An AED arriving doesn’t require a complete stop of CPR—brief pauses occur for analysis or shock delivery, but compressions aren’t simply halted outright. A bystander taking over is a handoff, not a cessation of the overall effort. Starting to breathe spontaneously is indeed a sign of life and would lead to stopping compressions as well, but the scenario given emphasizes the explicit sign of consciousness and the duration-based limit as the stopping criteria.

The main idea here is when it’s appropriate to stop chest compressions during CPR. You stop when there are clear signs the person has regained life or when continuing would no longer be beneficial.

The best choice reflects two practical stopping points: the person regains consciousness, which means they’ve developed signs of life and is no longer in need of chest compressions, and a defined prolonged effort (here, 30 minutes) without return of circulation suggests continuing may be futile and a change in care is appropriate. In other words, once there are signs of life or after an extended attempt with no ROSC, stopping compressions is the reasonable action.

The other options don’t describe definitive stopping conditions in the same way. An AED arriving doesn’t require a complete stop of CPR—brief pauses occur for analysis or shock delivery, but compressions aren’t simply halted outright. A bystander taking over is a handoff, not a cessation of the overall effort. Starting to breathe spontaneously is indeed a sign of life and would lead to stopping compressions as well, but the scenario given emphasizes the explicit sign of consciousness and the duration-based limit as the stopping criteria.