What does the BLS survey want you to assess which of the following?

Does the patient look unconscious? If so, perform the BLS Survey.

Table of Contents Show

What are the 5 steps of BLS assessment?
What are the correct components of BLS survey?
What is BLS assessment?
What are the ABCD assessments of the BLS primary survey?

Does the patient look conscious? If so, perform the ACLS Survey.

The BLS Survey

The BLS Survey includes four steps:

Check for a response – Shout “Are you okay?!” Do not be afraid to yell. This is the first assessment in BLS and ACLS: Does the patient need help emergently? If they do not respond, they need help immediately. If they do respond, they still may need medical attention.
Call for help – Yell for help, telling others to call 911 and to bring an AED. Be authoritative and do not panic. It is always best to have help. It is rare for only one responder to be available during BLS. If you are truly alone, you may consider leaving the patient briefly so that you can get help.
Check circulation – In adults, the best place to check for a pulse is the carotid artery. In children, the brachial or femoral arteries are first choices. Do not check for a pulse for more than 10 seconds. If you have not felt a pulse within 10 seconds, assume that the patient has no pulse. Start chest compressions immediately.
Check rhythm – This step requires an AED. Follow all prompts from the AED. If the cardiac rhythm is shockable, then clear everyone from the patient and deliver a shock. If the cardiac rhythm is not shockable, continue high-quality CPR.

The ACLS Survey

When the BLS survey is complete or if the patient is conscious and responsive, the responder should conduct the ACLS survey with a focus on identifying and treating the underlying cause(s) of the patient’s problem.

The ACLS Survey follows A, B, C, and D: Airway, Breathing, Circulation, and Differential Diagnosis.

Assess Airway – Use the least advanced airway possible to maintain the airway and oxygenation (laryngeal mask, laryngeal tube, or esophageal tracheal tube).
Assess Breathing – Monitor tube placement and oxygenation using waveform capnography if available; avoid excessive ventilation.
Assess Circulation – Medications, CPR, fluids and defibrillation when needed according to the ACLS cases.
Determine Differential Diagnosis – Use an AED or defibrillator to identify the arrhythmia or symptoms and treat reversible causes.

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Last updated: March 15, 2022

Version control: Our ACLS, PALS & BLS courses follow 2020 American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR and ECC. American Heart Association guidelines are updated every five years. If you are reading this page after December 2025, please contact for an update. Version 2021.01.c

The main focus of the BLS Primary Survey is early CPR and early defibrillation, if needed. For a patient in respiratory arrest, however, the focus is on breathing and airway issues. The process starts with assessing the patient and then perform an appropriate action. Each step in the survey has an assessment and actions to follow.

Assessment	Action
Is the patient breathing?	Look for the rise and fall of the patient's chest.
Does the patient have a pulse?	The healthcare provider can take 5–10 seconds to check for a pulse.
AED	When the AED arrives, turn it on and follow the prompts

Is the patient breathing NORMALLY? (small gasping breaths are not considered normal.

If no pulse – BEGIN COMPRESSIONS at a rate of 100/min to 120/min.

If not sure if a pulse is present, BEGIN COMPRESSIONS at a rate of 100/min to 120/min.

If pulse is present and breathing absent, begin ventilation at a rate of 10 per minute or once every 6 seconds using mouth to mouth or bag valve mask.

The last step, defibrillation, is part of the primary survey, but is not required for respiratory arrest as the patient has a pulse for this case. Therefore the AED will advise the user "no shock advised, continue CPR if necessary."

What are the 5 steps of BLS assessment?

What Are the 5 Steps of BLS Assessment?.

Step 1: Scene Safety. ... .

Step 2: Assess Breathing. ... .

Step 3: Activate EMS. ... .

Step 4: Get the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) ... .

Step 5: CPR (Chest Compressions).

What are the correct components of BLS survey?

The BLS Survey includes four steps:.

Check for a response – Shout “Are you okay?!” Do not be afraid to yell. ... .

Call for help – Yell for help, telling others to call 911 and to bring an AED. ... .

Check circulation – In adults, the best place to check for a pulse is the carotid artery. ... .

Check rhythm – This step requires an AED..

What is BLS assessment?

The BLS Assessment is a systematic approach to BLS that any trained healthcare provider can perform. This approach stresses early CPR and early defibrillation. It does not include advanced interventions, such as advanced airway techniques or drug administration.