What initial action helps address hypovolemia during cardiac arrest?

What initial action helps address hypovolemia during cardiac arrest?

• A. Defibrillation
• B. Vasopressor administration
• C. Fluid challenge to assess responsiveness
• D. Immediate intubation

Answer: (C)

In hypovolemic cardiac arrest, restoring preload is the key first move. A fluid challenge—administering a small, rapid bolus of isotonic crystalloids (for example 250–500 mL) and watching the response—lets you quickly assess whether increasing intravascular volume improves perfusion. If there’s a positive response, you can continue fluids to help restore circulating volume and support cardiac output; if not, further fluids are unlikely to help and you should focus on other reversible causes and ongoing CPR. Defibrillation targets rhythm abnormalities, not volume status, so it doesn’t address the root issue here. Vasopressors can support perfusion pressure but don’t fix the underlying fluid deficit. Immediate intubation manages the airway and ventilation but doesn’t resolve hypovolemia itself. The fluid challenge directly tackles the volume deficit and helps determine whether fluids will improve the patient’s hemodynamics during resuscitation.

In hypovolemic cardiac arrest, restoring preload is the key first move. A fluid challenge—administering a small, rapid bolus of isotonic crystalloids (for example 250–500 mL) and watching the response—lets you quickly assess whether increasing intravascular volume improves perfusion. If there’s a positive response, you can continue fluids to help restore circulating volume and support cardiac output; if not, further fluids are unlikely to help and you should focus on other reversible causes and ongoing CPR.

Defibrillation targets rhythm abnormalities, not volume status, so it doesn’t address the root issue here. Vasopressors can support perfusion pressure but don’t fix the underlying fluid deficit. Immediate intubation manages the airway and ventilation but doesn’t resolve hypovolemia itself. The fluid challenge directly tackles the volume deficit and helps determine whether fluids will improve the patient’s hemodynamics during resuscitation.