Advanced Life Support Flashcards
What is included in advanced life support?
Open airways Call resus team CPR 30:2 ECG allows diagnosis Decide if shockable or not If yes, defbirillate them. Slide 4-10
What rhythms are shockable and non shockeable?
Shockeable:
Ventricular Fibrillation
Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia
Non Shockeable:
Asystole
Pulseless Electrical Activity
Slide 10
How does VF present on an ECG?
No recognisable QRS complexes
Random frequency and amplitude
Slide 11
What can possibly mimic VF on an ECG?
Movement (skeletal muscle)
E;ectrical interference. Slide 11
What is the precordial thump?
If no defib near by then a fisted thump to the centre of the chest. Slide 14
When using a manual defib what do you have to be careful of?
Make sure no one is touching the patient or table as the electrical shock may travel through. Have to shout stand clear. Slide 19
When do you defibrillate someone in cardiac arrest?
If the arryhthmia is shockeable then apply 1 shock and immediately resume CPR for 2 mins to reassess signs of life. Slide 13
If you have already administered a shock from a defibrillator and done 2 mins of CPR, and the patient still isn’t alive, what do you do?
Repeat a shock and CPR and reassess.
Redo for the 3rd time.
On the 3rd shock administer adrenaline every alternative shock and amiodarone once on the 3rd shock. Slide 22
What does asystole appear as on an ECG?
Absent QRS complex with slight p waves persisting.
Slide 26
What do you do if someone is in asystole?
Adminsiter 1mg of IV adrenaline immediately and repeat every 2 cycles. Slide 26
What is pulseless electrical activity?
The most clinical feature of cardiac arrest.
When you can see rhythm but no pulse is felt. Slide 27
What are the potential reversible causes for cardiac arrest? 4 Hs and 4Ts.
H: Hypoxia Hypovolaemia Hypo/hyperkalaemia Hypothermia
T: Thrombosis Tension pneumothorax Cardiac Tamponade Toxins. Slide 32
What is mouth to mask ventilation?
Breath through a mask but still ventilate the person. Slide 34
What are advantages and disadvantages of a self inflating bag?
+ves:
Avoids direct person contact
Allows hgih O2 supplementation
-ves:
Risk of inadequate ventilations
Risk of gastric inflation
Optimal 2 people. Slide 35
What are all the devices that can ensure the airway is maintained and O2 can be administered?
Mouth to mask ventilation Self inflating Bag The Supraglottic airway device Tracheal tube Slide 34-38
