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Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR):...
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How to Insert a Laryngeal Mask Airway
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Therapeutic or Preventive Procedure
cardiopulmonary resuscitation Audio
car·di·o·pul·mo·nar·y re·sus·ci·ta·tion [ kar-dee-oh-pul-muh-nayr-ee ree-suh-sih-tay-shun ]
Subclass of:
Resuscitation procedure
Definitions related to cardiopulmonary resuscitation:
  • (cpr) When someone's blood flow or breathing stops, seconds count. Permanent brain damage or death can happen quickly. If you know how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), you could save a life. CPR is an emergency procedure for a person whose heart has stopped (called sudden cardiac arrest) or who is no longer breathing. CPR can maintain the blood flow breathing until emergency medical help arrives. Take these steps if someone is in sudden cardiac arrest: Call 911.; If someone else is around, have them look for an automated external defibrillator (AED). An AED is a device that sends an electric shock to the heart to try to restore its normal rhythm. AEDs are available in many public places such as schools, businesses, and airports.; Make sure that the person with sudden cardiac arrest is lying on their back on a firm surface.; If you haven't had any CPR training, you can do "hands-only" CPR for a teen or adult whose heart has stopped beating ("hands-only" CPR isn't recommended for children). "Hands-only" CPR uses chest compressions to keep blood circulating. Chest compressions involve pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest.; If you've had training, you can use chest compressions, clear the airway, and do rescue breathing. Rescue breathing helps get oxygen to the lungs for a person who has stopped breathing. To keep your skills up, repeat the CPR training every two years.; Use the AED as soon as possible, if there is one available.
    MedlinePlus
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • A combination of chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth breathing that keep oxygenated blood circulating to the brain and tissues. Commonly known as CPR.
    Harvard Dictionary of Health Terms
    Harvard Medical Publishing, 2011
  • The artificial substitution of heart and lung action as indicated for HEART ARREST resulting from electric shock, DROWNING, respiratory arrest, or other causes. The two major components of cardiopulmonary resuscitation are artificial ventilation (RESPIRATION, ARTIFICIAL) and closed-chest CARDIAC MASSAGE.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), emergency procedure for providing artificial respiration and blood circulation when normal breathing and circulation have stopped, usually as a result of trauma such as heart attack or near drowning. CPR buys time for the trauma victim by supplying...
    Encyclopedia Britannica
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2025
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This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.

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