Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure performed when a person’s heart or breathing has stopped. It describes a sequence of actions designed to manually support the body’s circulatory and respiratory systems. The ‘P’ in the acronym stands for “Pulmonary,” which relates to the respiratory system and the need to maintain oxygen supply. This technique focuses on the dual goals of keeping oxygen flowing and circulating oxygenated blood throughout the body.
Decoding the ‘P’: What Pulmonary Means
The letter ‘P’ in CPR represents the word Pulmonary, a medical term referring to the lungs and the entire respiratory system. The primary function of this system is to facilitate gas exchange, bringing oxygen into the body and removing carbon dioxide waste.
When a person experiences cardiac arrest, the interruption of blood flow rapidly deprives tissues, especially the brain, of oxygen. The brain can suffer permanent damage in as little as four to six minutes without a continuous supply of oxygenated blood. Therefore, the pulmonary component of CPR addresses this immediate need by artificially introducing air into the lungs. This intervention aims to keep the blood oxygenated so that mechanical compressions can circulate life-sustaining gas to the vital organs.
The Complete Context: Cardio and Resuscitation
The full name of the procedure is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. The ‘C’ stands for Cardio, a prefix relating to the heart and the entire circulatory system. The ‘R’ stands for Resuscitation, the medical process of reviving a person who has stopped breathing or whose heart has stopped beating. Combining the terms, CPR is the act of reviving the functions of the heart and lungs, targeting both oxygen delivery and circulation until professional medical help arrives.
How the Procedure Addresses Pulmonary Function
The pulmonary function is addressed directly through rescue breaths, a form of artificial ventilation. During CPR, the rescuer delivers air into the victim’s lungs to ensure that oxygen is present in the alveoli, the tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs. This action provides the necessary oxygen that the chest compressions will then push toward the brain and other essential organs.
For an adult, the standard guideline for a trained rescuer without an advanced airway is to deliver two rescue breaths after every 30 chest compressions (a 30:2 ratio). Modern guidelines emphasize the importance of continuous, high-quality chest compressions to maintain blood flow. However, the ventilation component remains essential for ensuring the blood being circulated is oxygen-rich. The breaths are delivered with enough volume and force to cause a visible rise in the person’s chest, confirming that air is entering the lungs effectively.