ACLS Flashcards
When should the primary assessment occur before the BLS assessment?
If the pt is conscious
How should you maintain an open airway in an unconscious patient?
- Head tilt-chin lift
- oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal airway
- Advanced airway management
What are the types of advanced airway management?
- Laryngeal mask airway
- Laryngeal tube
- Endotracheal tube
What should you confirm when using advanced airway management?
- Proper integration of CPR and ventilation
- Confirm proper placement
- Secure the airway
- Monitor airway placement
What is the best way to confirm/monitor airway placement?
Continuous waveform capnography
Note: Physical exam should be complimentary.
What % supplemental oxygen should be used in pts with cardiac arrest?
100%
What % supplemental oxygen should be used in pts undergoing a primary assessment and not in cardiac arrest?
Adjust oxygen level to achieve O2 saturation of 95% to 98%
Note: In acute coronary syndrome you should target an O2 saturation of 90%.
How should you monitor adequacy of ventilation?
- Physical exam (look for chest rise and cyanosis)
- Quantitative waveform capnography
- Oxygen saturation
Note: Avoid excessive ventilation.
What value indicates adequate CPR quality when using quantitative waveform capnography?
10 mm Hg CO2 (at end expiration)
Note: If less than 10 mm Hg, attempt to improve CPR quality (rare to get ROSC in this situation).
While performing CPR, the end expiration CO2 rapidly increases to more than 25 mm Hg…
This may indicate ROSC (check for consciousness/pulse at next pulse check)
What should the intra-arterial diastolic pressure be during adequate quality CPR?
20 mm Hg or more
Note: If less than 20 mm Hg, attempt to improve CPR quality.
What are the components of the primary assessment?
- Airway
- Breathing
- Circulation
- Disability (consciousness, pupil dilation)
- Exposure (trauma, bleeding, burns, medical alert bracelets)
What are the primary assessment levels of consciousness?
AVPU:
- Alert
- Voice
- Pain
- Unresponsive
1st degree heart block
Note: PR interval is greater than 0.2 seconds (1 big box).
2nd degree AV block (type 1), AKA Wenkebach
2nd degree AV block (type 2)
2:1 block (a subtype of 2nd degree type 2 AV block where every other QRS complex is dropped)
3rd degree AV block
Treatment for stable bradycardia
- Identify and treat underlying cause
- Monitor and observe
First line treatment for unstable bradycardia
Atropine (1 mg bolus, repeated as needed every 3-5 min to a max of 3 mg)
Second line treatment for unstable bradycardia
- Transcutaneous pacing
- Dopamine infusion
- Epinephrine infusion
Note: Consider expert consultation and/or transvenous pacing.
When should bradycardia be considered unstable?
- Hypotension
- Acutely altered mental status
- Signs of shock
- Ischemic chest discomfort
- Acute heart failure
What is the adult dopamine dose for unstable bradycardia?
5-20 mcg/kg dopamine per minute (titrated to pt response)
What is the adult epinephrine dose for unstable bradycardia?
2-10 mcg epinephrine per minute (titrated to pt response)
Common causes of unstable bradycardia
- Myocardial ischemia/infarction
- Drugs
- Hypoxia
- Electrolyte abnormalities
What drug overdoses should you think about in the setting of unstable bradycardia?
- Calcium-channel blockers
- Beta blockers
- Digoxin
What are examples of calcium channel blockers?
- Amlodipine/nifedipine
- Diltiazem
- Verapamil
What electrolyte abnormality should you think about in the setting of unstable bradycardia?
Hyperkalemia