What should guide a clinician’s decision when assessing the effectiveness of resuscitation?

The effectiveness of resuscitation is primarily assessed through observable clinical signs of life and the patient's response to interventions. This approach allows clinicians to evaluate critical factors such as the return of spontaneous circulation, changes in vital signs, and any neurological responses. The presence of these signs is essential for determining whether resuscitation efforts should be continued or adjusted.

Other factors, while relevant in a broader context, do not directly influence the immediate assessment of resuscitation effectiveness. For example, patient demographics might provide useful epidemiological insights but do not affect the acute clinical assessment. Similarly, the location of the resuscitation may impact logistics or access to resources but does not intrinsically determine the effectiveness of the resuscitation process itself. Lastly, while family wishes are important to consider for ethical decision-making and end-of-life care, they should not guide the clinical judgment on whether resuscitation is succeeding or failing based on objective medical criteria.