What is the primary purpose of CPR in a cardiac arrest situation?

The primary purpose of CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, in a cardiac arrest situation is to restore blood circulation. When a person goes into cardiac arrest, the heart stops beating effectively, and this leads to a cessation of blood flow to vital organs, including the brain. CPR involves chest compressions that create artificial circulation, moving blood through the body to vital organs until advanced medical help can take over.

While providing oxygen to the brain is important, especially during resuscitation, the act of CPR itself primarily focuses on ensuring that blood is circulating, which helps to deliver oxygen to the tissues. The restoration of blood circulation is crucial because brain cells can begin to suffer irreversible damage within minutes if they are deprived of oxygen-rich blood.

Restarting the heart can occur after CPR and defibrillation, but CPR itself is aimed more at maintaining circulation until the heart can be effectively restarted. Keeping the airway open is also important in ensuring effective ventilation, but breathing support is secondary to the main goal of circulation restoration during cardiac arrest. Thus, the emphasis on restoring blood circulation is what positions this choice as the correct answer in the context of CPR's primary objectives.