Which criterion is included in termination of resuscitation guidelines?

• A. Hypothermia present
• B. Airway not secured
• C. ETCO2 < 10 mmHg
• D. Shockable rhythm

Answer: (C)

During CPR, end-tidal CO2 reflects how well blood is flowing through the body and reaching the lungs. A value below 10 mmHg indicates very poor perfusion and a very low chance of returning spontaneous circulation, so it is used as a practical threshold in termination-of-resuscitation guidelines. That’s why this criterion is included: it provides an objective, measurable sign that continuing resuscitation is unlikely to succeed.

The other factors aren’t used as termination criteria in the same way. Having hypothermia can affect prognosis and treatment decisions (e.g., rewarming), but it by itself isn’t a standard cutoff for stopping resuscitation. If the airway isn’t secured, that’s a temporary technical issue to address rather than a decision to stop. A shockable rhythm is typically associated with a higher likelihood of ROSC, so it doesn’t support termination.