Remember that recovery may only be temporary, and you must continue to monitor the patient closely. Breathing may stop after early success with resuscitation. In such cases, CPR must be started again.
To manage a patient after CPR:
- Maintain a clear airway and continue to monitor breathing
- ART Holder – apply oxygen therapy and a pulse oximeter – all post-cardiac arrest patients require oxygen
- Leave any AED pads applied in position
- Continue to monitor and record the patient’s vital signs (See table in Chapter 7)
- Monitor the patient’s conscious state
- Handle the patient gently at all times
- Make conscious patients comfortable and provide verbal reassurance and communication
- Protect the patient’s privacy and dignity – cover them with towels, blankets, or clothing where appropriate and/or create a screen around them using towels and/or beach umbrellas
- Protect the patient from extremes of heat or cold and, depending on the circumstances, use blankets or other protection from the hot sun. Make sure you maintain clear observation of the patient’s airway and breathing.