Basic Life Support Flashcards
what is the ILCOR
the international liaison committee on resuscitation
what does the ILCOR do
- takes new guidance and ensures it is upheld in all teaching and courses
- creates guidance on how to manage resuscitation
what are the national resuscitation councils
- resuscitation council UK
- european resuscitation council
how many different cardiac arrest rhythms are there
4
which cardiac arrest rhythms are shockable
- ventricular fibrillation
- ventricular tachycardia
what is VF
ventricullar fibrillation
what is VT or PVT
ventricular tachycardia
what is the basic life support order of response
- danger
- response
- shout
- airway
- breathing
- circulation
when do you call emergency services
if someone is unresponsive, with absent or abnormal breathing
when do you use AED
as soon as it arrives
what is the ratio of chest compression to airway prior to the arrival of the AED
30 compressions to 2 breaths
what is response
gently shake and speak loudly, scream for help
what is airway
checking for breathing. there are two options - a head tilt chin lift, or a jaw thrust. remove any liquids or foodstuffs with a finger sweep - do not do this blind. this is to prevent any obstruction to the airway
what is breathing and circulation
palpate a carotid pulse. look, listen and feel for breathing for 10 seconds. look for any other signs of life
what is agonal breathing
this is when the brain becomes hypoxic due to lack of oxygen. it sounds like infrequent gasps and gulping. this is not normal, and should not be counted as breathing. can also be accompanied with seizure like movements
how often does agonal breathing occur
in around 40% of cardiac arrests
when do you start doing chest compressions
immediately
what do you say on the phone to 999 if you think someone has gone into cardiac arrest
- there is a cardiac arrest
- there is no breathing
- location
- contact number
- covid status of the person
what should be worn when doing cpr
droplet ppe
how do you do chest compressions
- interlock the fingers
- straight elbows
- compress the sternum 5-6cms
- 2 a second
- swap with someone else to rest
- continue until help arrives
how to prepare the patient for AED
- remove clothing- there will be scissors to cut through
- dry any fluids off chest with whatever fabric there is
- shave hair off the areas where the pads will be placed
- attach the pads to the patient and listen for voice prompts
- early defibrillation is key intervention with improved neurological outcomes
- aim to defibrillate within 3 minutes of the cardaic arrest to have the highest survival rate for the patient
how many joules are there per shock from AED
150-360
what is essential regarding AED
that no one is touching the patient when the shock is administered
how do you ventilate the patient
- this is a 2 person technique
- ensure an adequate seal
- use cylinder alongside a bag valve mask
how much oxygen do you administer during ventilation
15 litres of 100% oxygen per minute
what are the features of an oxygen cylinder
- cylinder gauge
- oxygen litre titration
- tubing port
how many litres of oxygen does the bag on the bag valve mask hold
2
what are the features of a bag valve mask
oxygen reservoir
self filling bag
delivery valve
mask
oxygen inlet
what are HMEs and what do they do
these are humidity moisture exchange filters and are there to protect you from any aerosols
how does basic life support change if someone has covid
- you cover the nose and mouth of the patient with whatever there is to hand
- wear complete ppe
- do not go near the airway unless in full ppe
- to stay clear of the airway whilst still checking for breathing, press hand on the chest and palpate for carotid pulse for 10 seconds to check for life. can assess breathing visually
where are the defibrillators in the dental hospital
on level 1, 3, 4, 6, 7
where is the defib on level 1
surgery 1
where is the defib on level 3
mops
where is the defib on level 4
recovery
where is the defib on level 6
clean room A/B
where is the defib on level 7
clinic D
what is involved in post resuscitation care
reassessment of breathing and circulation
reassure the casualty even if they are unconscious. do not tell them they died and came back.
maintain the airway, deliver oxygen via the bag valve mask unless they are uncomfortable with the aid
do not remove the AED pads, cover them up to provide dignity and warmth
be prepared to administer further cpr if there is rearrest
keep all the emergency equipment to hand
what are the features of a non rebreathing trauma oxygen mask
- expiration and inspiration valves
- oxygen feeding line
- oronasal face mask
- oxygen reservoir bag
what are oropharygneal airway adjuncts
medical devices used to maintain the patient’s airway
how can a dental practice be ventilated
extractor fans and open windows
