Exam Pass Notes

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Emergency Readiness

• Registered dental nurses who are trained and best placed may need to start or coordinate the initial response.
• Predefined roles reduce confusion when the practice is staffed: lead, compressor, AED operator, 999 caller, emergency kit handler, note-taker, space manager, and ambulance guide.
• Check that emergency drugs, oxygen, AED, airway equipment and patient records are accessible before seeing patients.
• Report equipment faults as patient-safety incidents rather than routine administration issues.

Adult BLS and AED

• An unresponsive person who is not breathing normally requires an immediate 999 call, retrieval of the AED and start of CPR.
• Perform compressions at 100-120 per minute, 5-6 cm deep, allowing full recoil and keeping interruptions to a minimum.
• Give 30:2 compressions to rescue breaths if trained and able; if not, continue continuous compressions and follow 999 advice.
• Attach the AED as soon as it is available and follow its prompts. Resume compressions immediately after a shock or after no-shock advice.

Children, Babies and Chest Pain

• Paediatric BLS includes five initial rescue breaths if the rescuer is trained and willing to give them.
• If trained in paediatric BLS use 15:2; otherwise use 30:2 and follow 999 guidance.
• Suspected myocardial infarction requires urgent escalation, continuous monitoring, the AED nearby and clear documentation.
• Angina that does not respond to expected measures should be treated as possible myocardial infarction.

After the Event

• Document times, symptoms, interventions, drugs, oxygen, shocks, people present and the details of handover to ambulance staff.
• Restock and check emergency equipment before returning to routine work.
• Conduct a fair debrief and offer support to staff who are distressed.
• Raise concerns if role confusion, training gaps or equipment access issues could put future patients at risk.