ACLS Flashcards
List the four steps of the BLS survey?
- Check for responsiveness
- Activate emergency response and get AED
- Check respirations and pulse (5-10s)
- no pulse = start CPR
- regains pulse, but not breathing = give 1 breath q 5-6s, recheck pulse q 2min - Defibrillate if indicated, resume CPR immediately after shock w/compressions
What is the ACLS survey?
ABCDE
Airway - advanced airway prn, confirm with waveform capnography
Breathing - goal pulse ox >94%
Circulation - determine rhythm, appropriate meds/fluids
Disability - AVPU (alert, verbal, pain, unresponsive)
Exposure
What is the SAMPLE secondary assessment?
S/S Allergies Meds PMH Last meal consumed Events
What is normal respiration rate? What is tachy and brady?
10-16 = normal
>20 = tachypneic <6 = bradypnea
You are first on scene, what do you do after establishing safety and checking for response?
Check pulse
CAROTID: 5-10s
If pulse is present, but respirations are poor or slow, you should begin rescue breathing. What is the frequency?
One breath q 5-6s
Recheck pulse q 2min
If advanced airways are present and practical, place it. What is the frequency of breaths now? How do you assess?
One breath q 6-8s if AA in place
Assess with waveform capnography*
Avoid hyperinflation
Trauma patient - what should you assume if there is a head or facial injury or multiple injuries?
Assume C-spine injury
- use jaw thrust WITHOUT HEAD EXTENSION (if possible)
- DO NOT PLACE C-COLLAR or immobilization devices, unless transporting
[immobilization makes it more difficult to get air in and perfuse pt]
If you don’t know the last normal time (prior to stroke), can you give fibrinolytics?
NO
Must be given w/in 3hours* of onset of sxs
What 3 things are included in the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke scale?
- facial droop
- arm drift
- abnormal speech “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”
- 1 abn = 72% cva probability
- 3 abn = 85% cva probability
What is important timeframe regarding stroke?
10min: ER/stroke team assessment, order NC CT
25min: neuro assessment and CT performed
45min: CT interpretation
Initiation of fibrinolytic therapy w/in 1hr of arrival, within 3hr of sxs onset (possible up to 4.5hr)
Door to admission = 3hr
You’ve done your ABCs. CT comes back and what do you do if:
a) hemorrhage
b) no hemorrhage
a) consult neuro
b) eval for fibrinolytics
Describe how you would manage HTN in a stroke patient?
- IV labetalol 10-20mg IV over 1-2min repeat 1x
- IV nicardipine 5mg/hr (titrate as necessary)
Considerations:
- NTG paste, hydralazine, enalapril
- IV nitroprusside
What is the BP goal, if patient is not a candidate for fibrinolytics?
10-15% reduction in BP > 220/120
What is the BP goal for a patient who has received fibrinolytics?
Treat to goal of < 180/110
You are admitting your stroke patient. List a few things to monitor?
- hyperglycemia (consider insulin drip)
- anticonvulsants for seizure
- tx fever
- repeat CT if deterioration
Control BP to less than 140/90, check q15 min x 8, q30 x 12, q1hr x 16
What must you not administer in a stroke patient for 24 hours post tx?
Anticoag or antiplt therapy
What is the progression of ventricular arrhythmia?
Pulseless Vtach –> Vfib –> Asystole
Waveform capnography monitors correct placement of ET tube and effective CPR. Tell me two important cutoff values to be aware of.
PETCO2 < 10mmHg = Improve CPR! **
PETCO2 goal 35-40 mmHg
- predictive of recovery of spontaneous circulation
What is the general algorithm for Vfib/Pulseless VT?
- Start CPR
- Shock/defibrillate - 200J biphasic (360J monophasic)
- 5 cycles of CPR (2min) - obtain IV access
- Analyze rhythm, brief cessation of CPR (10s)
- if rhythm, check pulse - If pulse, recovery management
- Shockable rhythm?
- CPR –> charge defib –> clear and repeat 200J or higher - Resume CPR
- Meds
Describe what’s happening during defibrillation.
Does not ‘restart’ heart - terminates electrical activity to allow for spontaneous rhythm to return if possible
** Initial returning rhythm does not perfuse. Therefore, CPR must be continued before checking for a pulse **