In what circumstance would you not perform CPR?

In what circumstance would you not perform CPR?

• A. The patient is obviously dead; decapitation, incineration, major organs missing, rigor mortis, lividity.
• B. The patient is unconscious and breathing.
• C. There is a Do Not Resuscitate order.
• D. The patient has a minor injury but is responsive.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that CPR is used when there is still a chance to restore life. If death is obvious and irreversible, CPR isn’t appropriate. In the circumstance described as obviously dead—signs like decapitation, severe body destruction, or physical indicators such as rigor mortis or lividity—there is no realistic chance of reviving the person with CPR. Starting resuscitation in this situation would be futile and could divert attention from appropriate postmortem care or legal steps. Consider the other scenarios for contrast: an unconscious person who is still breathing is not in cardiac arrest, so CPR isn’t needed and you’d focus on monitoring and supporting ventilation. A Do Not Resuscitate order is a separate directive indicating CPR should not be performed, regardless of immediate condition. A minor injury with someone who is responsive is not a CPR scenario either.

The main idea is that CPR is used when there is still a chance to restore life. If death is obvious and irreversible, CPR isn’t appropriate.

In the circumstance described as obviously dead—signs like decapitation, severe body destruction, or physical indicators such as rigor mortis or lividity—there is no realistic chance of reviving the person with CPR. Starting resuscitation in this situation would be futile and could divert attention from appropriate postmortem care or legal steps.

Consider the other scenarios for contrast: an unconscious person who is still breathing is not in cardiac arrest, so CPR isn’t needed and you’d focus on monitoring and supporting ventilation. A Do Not Resuscitate order is a separate directive indicating CPR should not be performed, regardless of immediate condition. A minor injury with someone who is responsive is not a CPR scenario either.