CPR
Medical abbreviation · Emergency Medicine
| Stands for | Cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, an emergency medicine abbreviation.
Emergency procedure of chest compressions, with or without rescue breaths, that keeps blood flowing to the brain and heart during cardiac arrest. It is the core skill of basic life support.
Example: Bystander CPR started immediately; AED delivered one shock before EMS arrival.
Usage notes
Adult compressions should be 100 to 120 per minute and at least 2 inches (5 cm) deep, allowing full recoil. Closed-chest compression was described by Kouwenhoven, Jude and Knickerbocker in 1960. The American Heart Association has promoted hands-only CPR for untrained bystanders since 2008.
Related abbreviations
More emergency medicine abbreviations
- BLS – Basic life support
- BSI – Body substance isolation
- BVM – Bag-valve-mask
- CAB – Compressions, airway, breathing
- CCT – Critical care transport
- CMO – Comfort measures only
- CPSS – Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale
- CTAS – Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale
- DCAP-BTLS – Deformities, contusions, abrasions, punctures/penetrations, burns…
- DNACPR – Do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- DNAR – Do not attempt resuscitation
- DNI – Do not intubate
See all 97 emergency medicine abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.