What is the aim of providing CPR when a patient is in respiratory arrest?

Providing CPR during respiratory arrest is primarily aimed at preventing brain damage due to lack of oxygen. When a patient is in respiratory arrest, their body is not receiving the oxygen it needs, which can lead to serious complications such as brain damage within a few minutes. The brain is particularly sensitive to oxygen deprivation, and quick intervention is crucial to maintain blood flow and oxygen delivery.

In performing CPR, rescuers help circulate oxygen-rich blood to vital organs, including the brain, until normal breathing can be restored or advanced medical help arrives. This intervention is essential to minimize the risk of long-term damage or death resulting from prolonged hypoxia. The focus is on sustaining life and preserving brain function for as long as possible in situations where breathing has ceased.

While stabilizing blood pressure or creating an emotional calm for the patient may have their places in broader patient care, the immediate and critical objective during respiratory arrest is to ensure that vital organs, especially the brain, continue to receive oxygenated blood.