Name one primary goal of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

The primary goal of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is to maintain blood flow to vital organs, particularly the heart and brain, during cardiac arrest. When the heart stops beating effectively, blood circulation halts, which quickly deprives these critical organs of oxygen. By performing chest compressions and, when appropriate, providing rescue breaths, CPR helps to manually pump blood through the body. This is vital for keeping the organs alive until advanced medical interventions can be initiated to restore normal heart function.

While restoring normal breathing and stabilizing the heart rate are important aspects in the broader context of resuscitation, they occur after adequate blood flow is established. Increasing blood pressure is not a direct goal of CPR; rather, the immediate focus is on ensuring continuous perfusion to prevent irreversible damage to vital tissues.