Cardiac Arrest

Question 1

Cardiac arrest if…

Answer 1

Patient is unresponsive, no pulse and not breathing properly

Question 2

The two shockable rhythms are?

Answer 2

VF (ventricular fibrillation) and VT (ventricular tachycardia)

Question 3

4 steps in the early chain of survival?

Answer 3

1. Early recognition and call for help
2. Early CPR
3. Early defibrillation
4. Post resuscitation care

Question 4

When do you give drugs in cardiac arrest?

Answer 4

If patient still in shockable rhythm after third shock given amiodarone after 3rd shock and also adrenaline. Give the adrenaline after 3rd shock and then alternate every 3-5 mins.

If patient is in non-shockable rhythm give adrenaline ASAP.

If gone from shockable to non-shockable just carry on with adrenaline pattern.

Question 5

Asystole is ________

Answer 5

No ventricular activity, no QRS waves, a wavy line, if completely straight check the machine

Question 6

Pulseless electrical activity ______

Answer 6

The reading is compatible with life but not producing a pulse. It may not be shockable but at this point you can treat the underlying cause of the cardiac arrest

Question 7

Potential reversible causes, four Hs and four Ts?

Answer 7

• Hypoxia
• Hypovolaemia
• Hypo-/hyperkalaemia/metabolic
• Hypothermia
• Thrombosis - coronary or pulmonary
• Tension pneumothorax
• Tamponade - cardiac
• Toxins

Question 8

Describe therapeutic hypothermia

Answer 8

Deliberately reduce core body temperature in patients who get ROSC but do not regain consciousness. Usually lasts about 24 hrs where you are rewarmed over several hours.