What components does cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) involve?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving technique primarily aimed at maintaining blood circulation and oxygenation during cardiac arrest. The correct answer points to the heart and lungs, highlighting the critical functions involved in CPR.

The heart is essential for pumping blood throughout the body, delivering oxygen-rich blood to vital organs such as the brain. When performing CPR, chest compressions are administered to mimic the heart's pumping action, which helps circulate blood even when the heart has stopped functioning effectively. This action is crucial to prevent brain damage and increase the chances of survival until professional medical help arrives.

The lungs play a pivotal role in oxygenating the blood. If breathing has ceased, CPR includes rescue breaths (in some protocols) to provide oxygen to the lungs, ensuring that the blood being circulated contains adequate levels of oxygen. This dual focus on both the heart and lungs is what makes CPR effective at maintaining circulation and oxygenation during a critical medical emergency.

The other options do not precisely capture the key components of CPR. For instance, while veins and arteries are part of the circulatory system, they do not directly represent the function and processes targeted during CPR. Similarly, lungs alone or the brain alone would not encompass the necessary actions taken during