During a cardiac arrest resuscitation attempt on a 34-week pregnant woman, you should:

In the context of providing resuscitation to a pregnant woman, specifically one in her third trimester, manually displacing the uterus toward the left is crucial for effective resuscitation. This maneuver, often referred to as the left lateral tilt or uterine displacement, is performed to relieve pressure from the inferior vena cava, which can become compressed when the pregnant uterus is pressed against it while the woman is in a supine position.

When the inferior vena cava is compressed, it can significantly reduce venous return to the heart, hampering the effectiveness of chest compressions and ultimately diminishing perfusion to vital organs, including the fetus. Therefore, displacing the uterus to the left side improves blood flow, enhances the efficacy of chest compressions, and increases the likelihood of a successful resuscitation outcome.

Other approaches in a cardiac arrest scenario may not address the specific physiological concerns presented by a pregnant patient. For instance, deferring defibrillation would unnecessarily delay a critical intervention. Adjusting the rate of chest compressions may not align with the standard guideline recommendations for adult resuscitation, which do not change based on pregnancy status. Additionally, allowing partial chest recoil can compromise the effectiveness of compressions, as full chest recoil is needed to facilitate adequate ven