Advanced life support

Question 1

Shockable vs unshockable rhythms

Answer 1

shockable - ventricular fibrillation, pulseless VT/VF
non shockable - asystole, pulseless electrical activity

Question 2

Guidelines on chest compressions and defibrillation

Answer 2

30 chest compressions to 2 ventilations
1 shock followed by 2 mins CPR
IV access attempted, if not IO

Question 3

adrenaline, amiodarone and thrombolytic guidelines for ALS

Answer 3

1mg adrenaline asap for non shockable
for shockable 1mg after 3rd shock
repeat 1mg adrenaline every 3-5mins

300mg amiodarone for pts in VF/ pulseless Vt after 3 shocks
further 150mg after 5 shocks

thrombolytic drugs if PE suspected
CPR extended for 60-90 mins

Question 4

Reversible causes of cardiac arrest

Answer 4

Hypoxia
Hypovolaemia
Hyperkalaemia, hypokalaemia, hypoglycaemia, hypocalcaemia, acidaemia and other metabolic disorders
Hypothermia
Thrombosis (coronary or pulmonary)
Tension pneumothorax
Tamponade - cardiac
Toxins