Cardiac Arrest

Question 1

What are the 4 ‘H’s’ of cardiac arrest (reversible causes)

Answer 1

1. Hypoxia
2. Hypothermia
3. Hypovolaemia
4. Hypo/Hyperkalemia

Question 2

What are the 4 T’s of cardiac arrest (reversible causes)

Answer 2

1. Toxins
2. Thrombus
3. Tension pneumothorax
4. Tamponade

Question 3

What are the 3 initial checks in an ILS scenario?

Answer 3

• Danger (Scene safety)
• General impression of patient (movement, position, colour (CATASTROPHIC HAEMORRHAGE)
• Response (AVPU)

Question 4

What do you check after the patients response level?

Answer 4

Airway

Is it patent or swollen and are there any obstructions?

Question 5

How do you check breathing and circulation before confirming cardiac arrest?

Answer 5

B - Look, listen and feel for breathing (10 seconds)

C - Feel for a carotid pulse

Question 6

When can you confirm a cardiac arrest?

Answer 6

No breathing AND no pulse

Question 7

What should you do immediately after confirming cardiac arrest?

Answer 7

1. Put in an urgent callback to control - (extra resource and 3RU if available)
2. Start chest compressions

Question 8

What are the two shockable rhythms?

Answer 8

VF

pVT

Question 9

What are the 2 non shockable rhythms?

Answer 9

PEA

Asystole