Cardiac Arrest

Question 1

How do you confirm the diagnosis of cardiac arrest. (3)

Answer 1

Patient is unconscious, apnoeic, there is an absent carotid pulse.

Question 2

What should you do when faced with a patient with cardiac arrest. (4)

Answer 2

Call for help.
Call arrest team.
Ask someone to bring defibrillator.
Begin CRP (ABC).

Question 3

What are some causes of cardiac arrest. (11)

Answer 3

MI. 
PE. 
Trauma. 
Tension pneumothorax. 
Electrocution. 
Shock. 
Hypoxia. 
Hypercapnia. 
Hypothermia. 
UandE imbalance. 
Drugs (digoxin).

Question 4

What are the basic steps of CRP. (3)

Answer 4

Airway management - head tilt (if no spinal injury), chin life/jaw thrust, clear the mouth.
Breathing - check breathing and give 2 breaths after 1st set of compressions (each inflation 1s long).
Chest compressions - give 30 compressions to 2 breaths. Use the heel of the hand with straight elbows. Centre over the lower third of the sternum and aim for 4cm compression at 100BPM.

Question 5

What are the 4H’s and 4T’s of cardiac arrest. (8)

Answer 5

Hypoxia.
Hypovolaemia.
Hyper or hypokalaemia.
Hypothermia.

Tension pneumothorax.
Tamponade.
Toxins.
Thromboembolism.

Question 6

What are some causes of unexplained cardiac arrest. (5)

Answer 6

Cardiac arrhythmias (eg VF). 
Sudden pump failure (acute MI). 
Acute circulatory obstruction (PE). 
Cardiovascular rupture (aortic dissection, myocardium rupture). 
Vasomotor collapse (pulmonary hypertension).