Which item is appropriate to report to Medical Control when termination is considered?

• A. ETCO2 value trend
• B. Total time working the arrest
• C. Airway management status
• D. Patient age

Answer: (A)

When deciding about termination, Medical Control relies on real-time indicators of how well CPR is actually delivering blood flow. The end-tidal CO2 trend serves as a live gauge of perfusion during chest compressions. If the ETCO2 value is rising or staying consistently higher, it suggests some blood flow and a better chance of ROSC, meaning continuation of resuscitation may be warranted. If the ETCO2 remains low with no upward trend, that points to poor perfusion and a limited likelihood of success, supporting consideration of termination.

Other factors like the total time spent working the arrest, airway management status, or patient age don’t provide the same immediate, physiologic read on CPR effectiveness. Time alone doesn’t reflect current perfusion; airway status is a procedural detail, and age isn’t an actionable predictor in the moment of termination decisions.