In addition to monitoring the patient, what should be performed every 2 minutes during CPR?

During CPR, a rhythm check should be performed every 2 minutes to evaluate the heart's electrical activity and determine if there are any shockable rhythms present or if the CPR can be stopped. This assessment is critical because it guides the next steps in resuscitation. If a shockable rhythm like ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia is detected, delivering a defibrillation shock is essential. If a non-shockable rhythm, such as asystole or pulseless electrical activity, is found, it indicates the need to continue CPR without defibrillation and potentially reassess other elements of the resuscitation strategy.

Monitoring the airway, adjusting compression rates, and administering medications are important components of CPR; however, they do not have the same strict 2-minute interval requirement as the rhythm check. The rhythm check specifically aligns with the timing of CPR cycles to ensure that the effectiveness of compressions is continuously evaluated along with the heart's response, enabling timely interventions that can save a life.