ALS Algorithms Flashcards
Severe Agitation - Adult
Treatment: Sedation with Midazolam (2.5-5 mg IV/IO)
CHF
signs your looking for
treatment
Key Signs: Edema, Hypertension, PND, SOB, Wheezing, Crackles on Lung Auscultation.
Differentials: Rule out inferior STEMI with a 12-lead ECG.
Treatment: CPAP, Nitro 0.4 mg, Nitro Paste, Transport to Cardiac Center.
Mild Allergic Reation - Adult
signs for mild
treatment
Signs: Rash, Itching, Hives.
Treatment: Diphenhydramine 25-50 mg IV/IM).
Severe Allergic Reaction - Adult
signs for Severe
treatment
Signs: Respiratory Distress, Swelling.
Treatment: Epinephrine (0.3 mg IM) - may repeat every 5-15 minutes.
Anaphylaxis - Adult
signs for moderate
treatment
Possible Causes: Allergic reaction to food, insect sting.
Key Signs: Urticaria, angioedema, respiratory distress.
Vital Signs: Hypotension.
Treatment: Epinephrine 0.5 mg IM; consider diphenhydramine and Dexamethasone
Hypoglycemia - Adult
sign your looking for
treatment
Signs: Confusion, Sweating, Blood Glucose below 70 mg/dL.
Treatment: Dextrose 25 g IV/IO or Glucagon
Hyperkalemia - Adult
signs your looking for
treatment
Possible Causes: Renal failure, some meds cause it like Beta blockers, Sartans, Prills, diuretics.
Key Signs: Muscle weakness, peaked T waves on ECG.
Vital Signs: Bradycardia, hypotension.
Treatment: Cal Chloride 0.5-1gram slow 5 mins IVP flush then Sodium BiCarb 50 mEq IV over 5 mins
Severe Pain
treatment
Fentanyl 1mcg/kg
Seizures - Adult
signs
treatment
Midazolam/Versed 5mg IM
2.5mg if patient is over 69
check bgl
Seizures - Pregnancy
signs
treatment
Give 5mg IM Midazolam/Versed
then
4mg Mag Sulfate IV over 10mins mixed in 100mL LR
Hemorrhagic Shock - Adult
signs
treatment
Signs: Hypotension, Tachy, Cool Clammy, Long cap refill
Treatment:
Control bleed, Fluids
Hypovolemic Shock - Adult
signs
treatment
Signs: Hypotension, Tachy, Cool Pale, Weak Pulse
Treatment: Fluids
Neurogenic Shock - Adult
signs
treatment
Signs: Hypotension, Brady, Warm and Dry
Treatment: Fluids
Asthma Exacerbation
signs
treatment
Signs: Wheezing, accessory muscles, Shark fin capno
Treatment:
CHF
signs your looking for
treatment
Signs: Crackles, PND, Edema, HTN, capno might be norm. Check 12 lead
Treatment: IV, CPAP, SL Nitro 0.4, check bp 150
Note: Check for Inf Wall MI before Nitro
Croup - Peds
signs your looking for
treatment
Signs: Inspiratory Stridor, Barking Cough
Treatment: Neb Epi
Opioid Overdose
signs your looking for /possible drugs
treatment
Signs: Pinpoint, resp depress, AMS
Calcium Channel Blocker OD
signs/possible meds
treatment
Possible Causes: Overdose on medications like verapamil.
Key Signs: Hypotension, bradycardia, widened QRS complex.
Vital Signs: Hypotension, heart rate < 60 bpm.
Treatment: Calcium chloride 0.5 g-1 g SLOW IVP over 10 mins. (except digoxin)
(NA) Sodium Channel Blocker OD
signs/possible meds
treatment
Possible Causes: Overdose on medications like tricyclic antidepressants. TCA - Amitriptyline.
Key Signs: Wide QRS complex, seizures, hypotension.
Vital Signs: Hypotension, widened QRS complex.
Treatment: Sodium BiCarb 1 mEq/kg IV bolus; repeat 0.5mEq/kg every 10 mins to maintain narrow QRS
Beta Blocker OD
signs/possible meds
treatment
Possible Causes: Overdose on medications like Beta Blocker - propranolol (LOL)
Key Signs: Bradycardia, hypotension, altered mental status.
Vital Signs: Heart rate < 60 bpm, systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 90 mmHg.
Treatment: Glucagon 1mg every 5 mins IVP
Organophosphate Poisoning
signs/possible products
treatment
Possible Causes: Ingestion or exposure to pesticides, insecticides.
Key Signs: Salivation, lacrimation, urination, defecation; pinpoint pupils; muscle twitching.
Vital Signs: Increased heart rate (HR), normal or elevated blood pressure (BP).
Treatment: Atropine 2-4mg IV every 5 mins
Chest Pain
signs
&
treatment
S: chest pressure, discomfort, sob, diaphoretic (sys abv 90, hr 60-150)
T:
aspirin 325mg
12 lead EKG (asap)
IV access
Nitro 0.4mg SL
(may repeat 90 sys, hr 60-150bpm)
2 more tabs, max 1.2mg
note: watch for bp drop of 20
withhold nitro - Inf MI, ED drugs
ST Elevation - MI STEMI
signs
&
treatment
Signs:
sob, cp, arm/jaw pain, diaphoretic, nausea
(st elevation, 1mm in 2 leads)
Treatment:
IV-Aspirin/Nitro
Cardiac Ctr/Transmit, STEMI Alert
Inferior (R) - get V4r - if elevation do NOT give nitro
if hypotensive/clear lungs -
give LR 250mL IV
note: depression in v1-v3, get posterior EKG
signs difference between:
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Anaphylaxis
Mild -
local swell/itch (1)
Moderate -
hives and/or mild wheeze (2)
Severe -
diff breathing, stridor
low bp,
abnormal skin color
Wheeze all over - swelling, stridor, loss of pulses, dyspnea -
Anaphylaxis - (two or more of)
Swelling of the Tongue/Airway/lips
Hives, low bp
N/V ab pain, diarrhea
Resp Compromise
Sync Cardio Vert
signs of when
and how
Hr over 150
UnStable
SVT - NARROW- 100, 200, 300, 360
Afib/Aflutter - 200, 300, 360
Working Code
what do you do first
when do you
CPR, Pads, O2
Asystole/PEA - EPI asap
VFib/pVTach - Shock asap (200)
CPR - 2mins w IO/IV (1st pulse check)
CPR - for 2 mins then
pulse check w/ iGel/capno
(2nd pulse check)
Cardiogenic Shock
Possible Causes: Acute myocardial infarction, heart failure.
Key Signs: Hypotension, cool/clammy skin, pulmonary edema.
Vital Signs: Hypotension, tachycardia.
Treatment: Nitroglycerin 0.4 mg SL; consider fluid bolus; dopamine infusion.
Sepsis
Possible Causes: Infection, pneumonia, urinary tract infection.
Key Signs: Fever, altered mental status, hypotension.
Vital Signs: Fever > 100.4°F, heart rate > 90 bpm.
Treatment: Antibiotics; crystalloid fluid resuscitation; vasopressors if hypotensive.
Eclampsia
Possible Causes: Severe preeclampsia (high bp)
Key Signs: Seizures in pregnant woman after 20th week, hypertension.
Vital Signs: Hypertension.
Treatment: Magnesium sulfate 4 g IV over 15 mins