Being the team leader during a cardiac arrest is challenging. Using an algorithm helps by standardizing & prioritizing our interventions using an If/Then methodology.

Review of BLS steps for determining if rescue breathing or CPR is needed and use of an AED for patients in cardiac arrest.

If the patient is in a non-shockable rhythm on the ECG such as PEA or asystole, we will go down the right side of the Adult Cardiac Arrest Algorithm.

If the patient is in a shockable rhythm on the ECG such as V-Fib or V-Tach, we will go down the left side of the Adult Cardiac Arrest Algorithm.

An example of a code's flow for shockable rhythms when an antiarrhythmic such as Amiodarone or Lidocaine is administered.

We will follow the algorithm until the patient has ROSC or we call the code.

Good luck with your ACLS class!

Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor

Practice ECG rhythms at Dialed Medics - https://dialedmedics.com/

Free Prescription Discount Card - Download your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip

Pass ACLS Web Site - Episode archives & other ACLS-related podcasts: https://passacls.com

@Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

Other Pass ACLS episodes mentioned

Objective Measures of Good CPR https://passacls.com/bls/objective-measures-of-good-cpr

For patients exhibiting symptoms consistent with myocardial ischemia, Aspirin is the first medications we should consider along with morphine, oxygen, and nitroglycerine; if indicated & safe.

Aspirin's mechanism of action & benefits for Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) patients.

Contraindications and considerations for aspirin’s use.

The dose and route of administration of aspirin for ACS patients.

The use of aspirin in the ACLS Stroke algorithm.

Good luck with your ACLS class!

Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor

Practice ECG rhythms at Dialed Medics - https://dialedmedics.com/

Free Prescription Discount Card - Download your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip

Pass ACLS Web Site - Episode archives & other ACLS-related podcasts: https://passacls.com

@Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

To pass ACLS, you will need to be able to identify common rhythms on a monitor during your mega code and ECG strips on your written exam.

If you don't normally monitor patients as part of your job, I suggest two things:

1. Find a system for ECG interpretation that works well for you; and

2. Practice reading ECGs every day for a few weeks before your class.

Review of normal ECG morphology of P wave, QRS complex, and T wave in lead II.

Characteristics of first degree heart block.

Characteristics of third degree (complete) AV block.

Treatment of unstable patients in third degree block following the ACLS Bradycardia algorithm.

Special considerations for use of Atropine when patients are in a third degree heart block.

The use of TCP, Dopamine, & Epinephrine drip for unstable bradycardic patients refractory to Atropine.

Good luck with your ACLS class!

Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor

Practice ECG rhythms at Dialed Medics - https://dialedmedics.com/

Free Prescription Discount Card - Download your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip

Pass ACLS Web Site - Episode archives & other ACLS-related podcasts: https://passacls.com

@Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

In the Adult Cardiac Arrest algorithm, we should administer an antiarrhythmic medication to patients in V-Fib or pulseless ventricular tachycardia approximately two minutes after the first dose of epinephrine.

The two first-line ACLS antiarrhythmics that are generally used are Amiodarone and Lidocaine.

Review of Lidocaine dosing and administration to patients in persistent V-Fib or pulseless V-Tach.

Review of Amiodarone dosing and administration to patients in persistent V-Fib or pulseless V-Tach.

Use of antiarrhythmic infusions post-cardiac arrest to suppress ventricular ectopy.

Amiodarone use & dosing for stable patients in V-Tach with a pulse.

Good luck with your ACLS class!

Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor

Practice ECG rhythms at Dialed Medics - https://dialedmedics.com/

Free Prescription Discount Card - Download your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip

Pass ACLS Web Site - Episode archives & other ACLS-related podcasts: https://passacls.com

@Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

The tongue is the most common airway obstruction in an unconscious patient.

For patients with a decreased level of consciousness that can't control their airway, yet have an intact gag reflex, the nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) should be used as an alternative to the oropharyngeal airway (OPA).

Examples of when a NPA should be considered.

Contraindications and considerations for nasal airway insertion.

Measuring a nasal airway for appropriate length and diameter.

Insertion of a nasopharyngeal airway into the right vs left nostril.

Patients with a NPA in place can receive supplemental O2, be ventilated with a BVM, have ETCO2 monitored, and have their upper airway suctioned as needed.

Good luck with your ACLS class!

Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor

Practice ECG rhythms at Dialed Medics - https://dialedmedics.com/

Free Prescription Discount Card - Download your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip

Pass ACLS Web Site - Episode archives & other ACLS-related podcasts: https://passacls.com

@Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

When blood, or other fluids, accumulate in the sac around the heart it’s called a cardiac tamponade or pericardial tamponade.

The effects of tamponade on the electrical system and chambers of the heart.

Cardiac tamponade can be acute or chronic and caused by traumatic, iatrogenic, or pathological etiologies.

Common traumatic events, medical procedures, and diseases that can result in a pericardial tamponade.

Signs & symptoms of cardiac tamponade.

Treatment of cardiac tamponade with pericardiocentesis.

For additional information on cardiac tamponade, check out the Pod Resources page at PassACLS.com.

Good luck with your ACLS class!

Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor

Practice ECG rhythms at Dialed Medics - https://dialedmedics.com/

Free Prescription Discount Card - Download your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip

Pass ACLS Web Site - Episode archives & other ACLS-related podcasts: https://passacls.com

@Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

Two things have changed in recent years to aid students that don't use ACLS in their daily practice.

1. The role of the team leader; and

2. The ability to use your quick reference cards.

The team leader is responsible for assigning tasks and overall direction of the team but can & should ask team members for help.

Using closed-loop communication to ensure the clarity of orders and speaking up if there’s any doubt about an order or action.

Use of your course’s approved text book and quick reference cards during the megacode and written exam.

Tips to help you pass the ACLS written exam.

Good luck with your ACLS class!

Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor

Practice ECG rhythms at Dialed Medics - https://dialedmedics.com/

Free Prescription Discount Card - Download your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip

Pass ACLS Web Site - Episode archives & other ACLS-related podcasts: https://passacls.com

@Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

Two factors to cardiac arrest survivability that have been clearly shown to make the biggest difference is continuous, high-quality CPR and early defibrillation.

The most common dysrhythmia present during the first few minutes of cardiac arrest is ventricular fibrillation.

The chance of successful defibrillation decreases every minute that passes.

How our chance of successfully defibrillating a patient into a perfusing rhythm significantly changes when good CPR is delivered vs when it isn't.

Why bystander CPR is important for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) outcomes.

The role of the CPR coach.

Five tips to aid us in limiting CPR interruptions to less than 10 seconds so we can maintain a chest compression fraction (CCF) of at least 80%.

Good luck with your ACLS class!

Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor

Practice ECG rhythms at Dialed Medics - https://dialedmedics.com/

Free Prescription Discount Card - Download your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip

Pass ACLS Web Site - Episode archives & other ACLS-related podcasts: https://passacls.com

@Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn