Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT considered a BLS intervention?

1. Cardiac compressions

2. Defibrillation

3. Airway management

4. Cardiac monitoring

The correct answer is: Cardiac monitoring

Basic Life Support (BLS) interventions are designed to provide immediate support to individuals experiencing life-threatening conditions, particularly cardiopulmonary arrest. They typically focus on maintaining a patient's airway, providing effective chest compressions, and supporting breathing. Cardiac compressions, defibrillation, and airway management are all fundamental components of BLS. Cardiac compressions refer to the technique of manually pumping the heart to maintain blood circulation during cardiac arrest. Defibrillation is a critical process that involves delivering an electric shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm. Airway management encompasses techniques to ensure that the airway remains clear, allowing for effective ventilation. In contrast, cardiac monitoring is a more advanced intervention that generally falls under Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) rather than BLS. It involves the use of specialized equipment to observe the heart's electrical activity, which is not typically provided by basic life support providers at the scene of an emergency. Thus, cardiac monitoring is not classified as a BLS intervention.