When conducting high-quality CPR, when should compressions be paused for a rhythm check?

High-quality CPR guidelines stipulate that chest compressions should be paused for rhythm checks every 2 minutes. This timing allows for a careful assessment of the patient’s rhythm while minimizing interruptions in the compressions, which are vital for maintaining blood circulation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Pausing for rhythm checks too infrequently, such as every 3 or 5 minutes, can lead to missed opportunities to identify a shockable rhythm and initiate appropriate electrical therapy if needed. Additionally, waiting for signs of life before checking the rhythm would prevent timely interventions in cases where immediate defibrillation is necessary, as the sooner the heart's rhythm is evaluated, the sooner action can be taken if the patient requires defibrillation or other interventions. Maintaining the two-minute interval for rhythm checks supports both the efficacy of CPR and the overall response to cardiac arrest scenarios.