What is one of the primary goals of advanced life support?

One of the primary goals of advanced life support is to restore effective circulation and ventilation. When a patient experiences cardiac arrest or severe respiratory distress, the immediate focus of ALS interventions is to re-establish normal physiological functions. This involves both high-quality chest compressions to maintain blood flow to vital organs and the use of airway management techniques to ensure adequate ventilation. Restoring circulation and ventilation is crucial because it directly impacts the patient's chances of survival and minimizes the risk of long-term neurological damage.

The emphasis on circulation and ventilation underpins the whole structure of advanced life support, which is designed to treat life-threatening conditions effectively and swiftly. By focusing on these two critical functions, healthcare providers can stabilize a patient until further treatment can be administered in a hospital setting.