Adult life support Flashcards
Which heart rhythms in cardiac arrest are shockable and non-shockable?
- Shockable:
- VF
- pulseless ventricular tachycardia - Non-shockable:
- asystole
- pulseless electrical activity (PEA)
What is the ratio of compression to ventilation in CPR?
30:2
How should a patient in hospital who has a monitored and witness cardiac arrest be treated/managed?
- confirm cardiac arrest and shout for help
- if the initial rhythm is VF/pVT, given up to 3 quick successive shocks
- Start CRP + continue for 2 minutes if 3rd shock is unsuccessful
What should the depth of the chest compressions be?
5-6 cm
What rate should ether chest compression be given
100-120 compressions per minute
How should a patient in hospital who has an unwitnessed cardiac arrest be treated/managed?
- Put out a crash call and start CPR
- Use whatever equipment is available immediately for airway and ventilation; add supplemental oxygen ASAP
- As soon as defibrillator arrives, apply adhesive pads whist chest compressions are ongoing
- Once pads are applied, pause briefly (no more than 5s) to assess rhythm
- If rhythm is shockable restart compressions whilst defibrillator is charged
- stop compressions, deliver shock and restart chest compressions immediately
- continue resuscitation until resuscitation team arrives or the patient shows signs of life
When should adrenaline be given during a VF/VT cardiac arrest?
Once chest compressions have restarted after the third shock, and then every 3-5minutes
What dose of adrenaline should be given in a cardiac arrest?
1mg
When should adrenaline be given during a non-shockable cardiac arrest?
As soon as possible
What are the potential reversible causes of cardiac arrest?
- hypoxia
- hypovolaemia
- hyper/hypokalaemia, hypoglycaemia, hypocalcaemia
- hypothermia
- thrombosis
- tension pneumothorax
- tamponade (cardiac)
- toxins
