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Medical Emergencies · single question

What is the appropriate immediate response to a witnessed cardiac arrest?

  1. Begin CPR immediately while obtaining/preparing a defibrillator as soon as possible
  2. Wait for a defibrillator to arrive before taking any action
  3. Only perform rescue breathing, without chest compressions
  4. Administer oral glucose first
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Correct answer: A. Begin CPR immediately while obtaining/preparing a defibrillator as soon as possible

For any witnessed cardiac arrest, CPR (chest compressions) should begin immediately, while simultaneously calling for and preparing a defibrillator (AED) to be applied and used as soon as it becomes available — early, high-quality CPR combined with early defibrillation (when indicated by the AED's rhythm analysis) together maximize survival chances, rather than either action alone or in strict either/or sequence.

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