ALS Revision Flashcards
What does the acronym DRSABCDE stand for?
Danger Response Send for help Airway (+ Cspine) Breathing Circulation Disability Exposure
What is the ALS algorithm?
Start CPR
Attach Defib/monitor
Assess the rhythm - is it shockable or non shockable?
Shockable → Shock and continue CPR for 2 minutes
Non shockable → no shock → continue CPR for 2 minutes
Assess for ROSC
If ROSC → Post resuscitation care
What additional tasks should be performed during CPR?
Airway adjuncts Oxygen Waveform capnography (ETCO2) IV/IO access Plan actions before interrupting compressions
What are the 4 H’s?
Hypoxia
Hypovolaemia
Hypo/hyperkalaemia
Hypo/hyperthermia
How do you treat the 4 H’s?
Hypoxia → O2 therapy
Hypovolaemia → IVT or blood products
Hypo/hyperkalaemia → K+ replacement/Calcium Gluconate or IV insulin & dextrose
Hypo/hyperthermia → Bair hugger, warm fluids/undress patient, cooled fluids
What are the 4 T’s?
Tamponade
Toxins
Thrombus
Tension pneumothorax
How do you treat the 4 T’s?
Tamponade → Pericardiocentesis
Tension pneumonothorax → ICC
Toxins → reversal if able
Thrombus → anticoagulant - herapin
What is included in post resuscitation care?
Re-evaluate ABCDE 12 lead ECG Treat precipitating causes Re-evaluate O2 and Ventilation Temperature (cool)
Name the 12 causes of airway obstruction
(FIT PELVIC BBB)
Foreign body
Inflammation
Trauma
Pharangeal Swelling Epiglottitis Laryngospasm Vomit Infection CNS depression
Bronchial Secretions
Blood
Bronchospasm
How do you assess a patients airway?
Look for any foreign bodies, vomit or blood
Listen for inspiratory stridor or expiratory grunting
What is the triple airway manoeuvre?
Head tilt
Chin lift
Jaw thrust
What are the 4 airway adjuncts?
OPA
NPA
LMA
ETT
What are the causes of ineffective breathing?
Decreased respiratory drive
- CNS depression
Decreased respiratory effort
- Muscle weakness
- Nerve damage
- Restrictive chest defect
- Pain
Lung disorders
- Pneumothorax
- Haemothorax
- Infection
- Acute exacerbation of COPD
- Asthma
- PE
- ARDS
How do you assess a patients airway?
Look
- Respiratory distress
- Use of accessory muscles
- Cyanosis
- Incr RR
- Chest deformity
- Conscious level
Listen
- Noisy breathing
- Auscultate
Feel
- Expansion of chest
- Percussion
- Tracheal position
- Subcut emphysema
What are the 6 primary causes of ineffective circulation?
(AHHEAD) ACS Hypertensive heart disease Hereditary heart disease Electrolyte/acid base abnormalities Arrythmias Drugs
What are the 5 secondary causes of ineffective circulation?
(BASHH) Blood loss Asphyxia Septic Shock Hypothermia Hypoxia
What are the 5 different types of shock?
(CORRD) Cardiogenic Obstructive Restrictive Relative Distibutive
How do you assess a patients circulation?
HR Caprefill BP Organ perfusion (chest pain, mental state, urine output) bleeding or fluid loss
What causes altered conscious state?
Hypoxia
Hypercapnia
Cerebral hypo perfusion
Recent administration of analgesia and sedatives
What assessments are used to assess CNS?
AVPU
GCS
Pupils
Limb Strength
How do you elicit a response?
Grab and squeeze trapezius
“open your eyes”
“squeeze my hand”
Response - maintain ABCDE
No response - call for help, place pt on back, ABCDE
What do you do if the patient has no signs of life?
Commence compressions (30:2) Middle lower half of sternum High quality compressions 5cm depth of chest Rate 100-120/min Allow full recoil of chest Minimise interruptions Place pads on Change operator every 2 mins to avoid fatigue Recommence compressions immediately post defib
Bradycardia Algorithm (write out)
Tachycardia Algorithm (write out)