Emergency Telecommunicator Certification Practice Exam

Basic Life Support (BLS) response generally includes which of the following?

1. Airway, CPR, and other initial first-aid care

2. Advanced medical assessment and triage

3. Surgical intervention

4. Diagnostic imaging

The correct answer is: Airway, CPR, and other initial first-aid care

Basic Life Support (BLS) primarily focuses on the immediate care required to sustain life in emergency situations. This encompasses critical interventions that can be performed by trained individuals, often before advanced medical help arrives. The elements mentioned, such as managing the airway, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and providing other initial first-aid care, are essential components of BLS. Airway management is vital to ensure that the patient can breathe adequately, while CPR is a lifesaving technique used when someone’s heartbeat or breathing has stopped. These actions are foundational in preventing death or permanent damage until further medical assistance can be provided. In contrast, advanced medical assessment and triage, as well as surgical intervention and diagnostic imaging, represent more complex and specialized levels of care that are beyond the scope of basic life support training. These options involve advanced skills and procedures that require medical professionals rather than lay responders or first-aiders. Therefore, the correct choice accurately reflects the immediate, life-sustaining measures that fall under the BLS protocol.