A recent study examined the effects of allowing family members to observe patients undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a prehospital setting. Based on the study findings, which of the following is most likely true regarding the effects of family presence on the medical team during CPR?
It has been hypothesized since the 1980s that family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may help a family member better understand the measures taken to help the patient survive, and subsequently help with the grieving process and decrease the occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although these benefits have been hypothesized for many years, one must also take into consideration the possible detrimental effects on the team taking care of the patient. It has been argued by some that medical team members performing the resuscitation could be adversely impacted by family presence during the resuscitation, both in terms of emotional stress and effectiveness of...
