What is the primary step to address hypoxia in cardiac arrest?

What is the primary step to address hypoxia in cardiac arrest?

• A. Call for help and wait
• B. Administer vasopressor only
• C. Defibrillate immediately
• D. Ensure airway patency and provide ventilation with supplemental oxygen

Answer: (D)

Hypoxia is the immediate, reversible threat in cardiac arrest, so the priority is to secure the airway and ventilate with supplemental oxygen. Opening the airway and delivering breaths with oxygen-rich air directly increases the amount of oxygen reaching the lungs, which feeds the blood and tissues during CPR. This support is essential even as chest compressions continue, because high-quality circulation alone cannot restore oxygen delivery without ventilation. Using a bag-valve-mask or an advanced airway with oxygen ensures there are reliable breaths and minimizes pauses in compressions, improving overall chances of return of spontaneous circulation and favorable brain outcome. Calling for help is crucial, but it doesn’t address the oxygen deficit by itself; a vasopressor alone doesn’t fix oxygen delivery, and defibrillation targets rhythm, not oxygenation. Therefore, the best initial step to address hypoxia is securing the airway and providing ventilation with supplemental oxygen.

Hypoxia is the immediate, reversible threat in cardiac arrest, so the priority is to secure the airway and ventilate with supplemental oxygen. Opening the airway and delivering breaths with oxygen-rich air directly increases the amount of oxygen reaching the lungs, which feeds the blood and tissues during CPR. This support is essential even as chest compressions continue, because high-quality circulation alone cannot restore oxygen delivery without ventilation. Using a bag-valve-mask or an advanced airway with oxygen ensures there are reliable breaths and minimizes pauses in compressions, improving overall chances of return of spontaneous circulation and favorable brain outcome. Calling for help is crucial, but it doesn’t address the oxygen deficit by itself; a vasopressor alone doesn’t fix oxygen delivery, and defibrillation targets rhythm, not oxygenation. Therefore, the best initial step to address hypoxia is securing the airway and providing ventilation with supplemental oxygen.