How often should you reassess the patient's condition during CPR?

Reassessing the patient's condition every two minutes during CPR is a vital practice based on established guidelines. This interval allows for an appropriate assessment of the effectiveness of the compression and ventilation efforts, ensuring that the responder can evaluate the patient’s response to the resuscitation efforts.

During the reassessment, it is essential to check for signs of life, such as breathing or a pulse. However, it is important to note that immediate checks for a pulse after every set of compressions could disrupt the flow of CPR and may lead to delays in care. Continuing CPR without interruption for at least two minutes before assessing again helps maintain blood circulation and oxygen delivery to vital organs.

The recommendation to reassess every two minutes also aligns with the change in providers if CPR is being performed for an extended period, allowing a fresh responder to take over in a coordinated manner while minimizing interruptions in chest compressions. This systematic approach enhances the effectiveness of CPR and increases the patient's chances of survival.