Cardiac arrest Flashcards
What are the two categories of rhythms in adult advanced life support?
‘Shockable’ rhythms: ventricular fibrillation/pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VF/pulseless VT)
‘Non-shockable’ rhythms: asystole/pulseless-electrical activity (asystole/PEA)
What is the ratio of chest compressions to ventilation?
30:2
What should be done while a defibrillator is charged?
Chest compressions are continued.
What is the protocol for defibrillation in VF/pulseless VT?
A single shock followed by 2 minutes of CPR.
What is recommended if cardiac arrest is witnessed in a monitored patient?
Up to three quick successive (stacked) shocks.
What is the first-line method for drug delivery during resuscitation?
IV access should be attempted.
What should be done if IV access cannot be achieved?
Drugs should be given via the intraosseous route (IO).
Is drug delivery via a tracheal tube recommended?
No, it is no longer recommended.
What is the recommended dosage of adrenaline for non-shockable rhythms?
Adrenaline 1 mg as soon as possible.
When should adrenaline be given during a VF/VT cardiac arrest?
Once chest compressions have restarted after the third shock.
How often should adrenaline be repeated during ALS?
Every 3-5 minutes.
What is the dosage of amiodarone for VF/pulseless VT after 3 shocks?
Amiodarone 300 mg.
What is the additional dosage of amiodarone after 5 shocks?
A further dose of amiodarone 150 mg.
What alternative can be used if amiodarone is not available?
Lidocaine.
When should thrombolytic drugs be considered?
If a pulmonary embolus is suspected.
What should be done if thrombolytic drugs are given?
CPR should be continued for an extended period of 60-90 minutes.
Is atropine recommended for routine use in asystole or PEA?
No, it is no longer recommended.
What should be done following successful resuscitation regarding oxygen?
Oxygen should be titrated to achieve saturations of 94-98%.
What are the reversible causes of cardiac arrest categorized as ‘Hs’?
Hypoxia, Hypovolaemia, Hyperkalaemia, hypokalaemia, hypoglycaemia, hypocalcaemia, acidaemia, and other metabolic disorders, Hypothermia.
What are the reversible causes of cardiac arrest categorized as ‘Ts’?
Thrombosis (coronary or pulmonary), Tension pneumothorax, Tamponade - cardiac, Toxins.
What is the compression:ventilation ratio for lay rescuers in paediatric basic life support?
The ratio is 30:2 for lay rescuers.
If there are two or more rescuers, the ratio is 15:2.
How is an infant defined in paediatric basic life support?
An infant is a child under 1 year.
How is a child defined in paediatric basic life support?
A child is between 1 year and puberty.
What is the first step if you find someone unresponsive?
Shout for help.
What should you do after opening the airway?
Look, listen, and feel for breathing.
How many rescue breaths should be given initially?
Give 5 rescue breaths.
What should you check for after giving rescue breaths?
Check for signs of circulation.
Which pulse should be checked for infants?
Use the brachial or femoral pulse.
Which pulse should be checked for children?
Use the femoral pulse.
What is the rate of chest compressions for infants and children?
Chest compressions should be 100-120 per minute.
What is the required depth for chest compressions in infants?
Depress the lower half of the sternum by at least one-third of the anterior-posterior dimension of the chest, approximately 4 cm.
What is the required depth for chest compressions in children?
Depress the lower half of the sternum.
What technique should be used for chest compressions in infants?
Use a two-thumb encircling technique.
