CPR and Defibrillation Flashcards
What are the indications to start CPR?
There are no signs of life (unresponsive, not breathing normally, carotid pulse cannot be confidently palpated within 10 secs) OR there are signs of inadequate perfusion (unresponsive, pallor or central cyanosis, inadequate pulse - less than 40bpm adults, less than 60bom for infants/newborns)
Key priorities that help to improve cardiac arrest outcomes?
Continuous high quality compressions, timely and effective defib, early airway management, pharmacology prioritisation, non-technical skill, reflections
Can you do CPR on a bed?
No, you need a firm surface
How many compressions per minute?
Between 100-120 compressions
Compression to ventilation ratio for adults?
30:2
Indications for defibrillation?
Ventricular Fibrillation and PULSELESS Ventricular Tachycardia
Contraindication for defibrillation?
Non-shockable rhythms (asystole, pulseless electrical activity PEA, perfusing rhythms)
Complications/Precautions for defibrillation?
Patient injury, including burns
If pads are incorrectly placed
Foreign bodies between pads and patient
Pads with insufficient or degraded conductant
Explosion
Transmitted shock to the operator or bystanders
What are the joules set at on a corpuls?
200J
What are the joules set on a LifePack?
200J, 300J, 360J
What are the four safety questions stated before a defib charge is given?
Non-Conductive?
Explosives?
No patient contact?
No movement?
After how many minutes of CPR do you then shock?
Two Minutes
What is the FIVE STEP method for VT
Rate: Over 100
Rhythm: Regular
P Wave: Not visible
PR Interval: N/A
QRS Complex: Wide
Why do you need to check carotid pulse for VT?
It may be perfusing or non-perfusing
FIVE STEP method for VF?
Rate: Fast
Rhythm: Irregular
P Wave: Not present
PR Interval: N/A
QRS Complex: Wide and bizarre
What are the two STOP criteria?
General Discontinuation Criteria and Rapid Discontinuation Criteria
What is the criteria for the General Discontinuation Criteria?
CPR can be stopped after 20 minutes if there is no return of spontaneous circulation are any stage, cardiac arrest was not witnessed by QAS, no shockable rhythm at any stage during resuscitation
What is the criteria for the Rapid Discontinuation Criteria?
CPR can be stopped before 20 minutes if patient was observed to be unconscious, unresponsive, not breathing and pulseless for 10 minutes prior to QAS arrival, no CPR was provided during this time and the patient’s cardiac rhythm is asystole or broad PEA (less than 40 minutes)
Recognition of life extinct?
No palpable carotid pulse, no heart sounds heard for 30 continuous seconds, no breath sounds heard for 30 continuous seconds, fixed and dilated pupils and no response to central stimuli
What do you do if the heart rhythm changes during CPR?
Continue with resuscitation until the end of the current two minute cycle, then reassess patient.
Reassessment starts from the beginning including response and pulse checks
Only exception is if the patient begins to make purposeful movement during CPR
