When should you stop giving chest compressions?

When should you stop giving chest compressions?

• A. The person regains consciousness
• B. You become exhausted
• C. Medical personnel arrive
• D. The patient starts to speak

Answer: (A)

The key idea is recognizing when life signs return and CPR is no longer needed. If the person regains consciousness and starts breathing normally, that shows circulation and oxygen delivery are returning, so you should stop chest compressions and reassess the situation. Continuing compressions after they’re awake can cause unnecessary injury and is no longer required once the body is resuming its own function. In real scenarios, you’d also stop if you become exhausted or if trained responders arrive to take over, but the clearest signal in this case is the person regaining consciousness.

The key idea is recognizing when life signs return and CPR is no longer needed. If the person regains consciousness and starts breathing normally, that shows circulation and oxygen delivery are returning, so you should stop chest compressions and reassess the situation. Continuing compressions after they’re awake can cause unnecessary injury and is no longer required once the body is resuming its own function. In real scenarios, you’d also stop if you become exhausted or if trained responders arrive to take over, but the clearest signal in this case is the person regaining consciousness.