Resuscitation Team Dynamics Flashcards
6 cards from real CPR practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Resuscitation Team Dynamics flashcards as text
During a cardiac arrest resuscitation, the team leader directs a member to administer a medication. Which of the following responses BEST demonstrates the principle of closed-loop communication?
Answer: "Copy that. Administering 1 mg of Epinephrine IV push."
Closed-loop communication involves the receiver repeating the message back to the sender to confirm it was heard and understood correctly. This ensures accuracy and prevents medication errors. The correct answer is the only option that repeats the specific medication and dose.
Which of the following is a primary responsibility of the designated team leader during a complex resuscitation attempt?
Answer: Ensuring clear role assignments and monitoring overall team performance.
The team leader's primary role is to maintain a 'big picture' view of the resuscitation. This includes assigning roles to team members, making treatment decisions, facilitating communication, and monitoring the quality of all interventions, rather than getting locked into a single task.
A paramedic is performing chest compressions and their compression depth is becoming shallow. A second paramedic notices this. According to the principles of effective team dynamics, what is the most appropriate action for the second paramedic to take?
Answer: Respectfully state, "Your compressions are getting shallow. Let's switch at the next pause to keep them deep."
This is an example of constructive intervention. Any team member who observes an action that could negatively impact patient care has a responsibility to speak up. The intervention should be clear, respectful, and focused on the patient's best interest, offering a solution.
Every two minutes, the resuscitation team leader pauses chest compressions for a rhythm check and says, "Okay team, that was two minutes of CPR. Rhythm is still PEA. Airway is secure, IV is patent. We gave epinephrine one minute ago. Let's resume compressions. Our next pulse check is in two minutes." This behavior is a key example of which element of team dynamics?
Answer: Summarizing and re-evaluating
Periodically summarizing the patient's status, interventions performed, and the upcoming plan helps maintain shared situational awareness. This ensures all team members are on the same page and provides an opportunity to correct any misunderstandings.
To ensure both high-quality CPR and effective team coordination, what is the recommended approach for switching the person performing chest compressions?
Answer: Switch compressors every 2 minutes, ideally during a planned pause like a rhythm check.
High-quality CPR is physically demanding, and performance degrades after just a couple of minutes. The AHA recommends switching compressors approximately every 2 minutes (or 5 cycles) to prevent fatigue. Coordinating this switch during a planned pause minimizes interruptions to chest compressions.
Following a difficult and unsuccessful resuscitation attempt, which action by the team leader best fosters a culture of safety and continuous improvement?
Answer: Conducting a brief, non-judgmental 'hot debrief' to discuss team performance and identify learning points.
A post-event debriefing is crucial for team learning. A 'hot debrief' held shortly after the event allows the team to discuss what went well and what could be improved in a safe, non-judgmental environment. This practice improves future performance and supports the team's emotional well-being.