Intro to the Medical Patient, VSA, FBAO

Question 1

What are some cardiac symptoms/conditions would be considered CTAS 1?

Answer 1

Cardiac arrest, pre-arrest/severe organ hypoperfusion, spontaneous circulation following cardiac arrest, chest pain with cardiac features, severe dehydration

Question 2

What percentage of the body does a chemical burn have to cover to be considered CTAS 1?

Answer 2

> 25% body surface

Question 3

What are some neurological symptoms/conditions that would be considered CTAS 1?

Answer 3

Unconscious (GCS 3-9), seizures

Question 4

According to the BLS Load and Go standard, what obstetrics patients would be considered CTAS 1?

Answer 4

patients with eclampsia/pre-eclampsia, limb presentation, multiple births expected, premature labor, or umbilical cord prolapse

Question 5

According to the BLS Patient Assessment Standard, what is included in baseline vitals?

Answer 5

HR, RR, BP, SpO2, GCS, pupils and skin colour/condition

Question 6

What are the two key elements in achieving a positive patient outcome in a VSA patient?

Answer 6

rapid defibrillation of shockable rhythms and uninterrupted good quality CPR.

Question 7

What is defibrillation?

Answer 7

the act of delivering a metered dose of electricity to the cells of the heart causing them to contract simultaneously in an effort to terminate deadly non-perfusing arrhythmias

Question 8

What is a monophasic shock?

Answer 8

A monophasic shock sends the electrical current from one pad to the other in one direction only and thereby requires a higher joule (J) setting

Question 9

What are the joule settings for a monophasic shock?

Answer 9

200, 300 and 360J

Question 10

What is a biphasic shock?

Answer 10

A biphasic shock will send the electrical first one way and then the other and is arguably more
effective in terminating these deadly arrhythmias

Question 11

What are the joule settings for a biphasic shock?

Answer 11

120, 150 and 200J

Question 12

What are the only two arrhythmia’s that in the presence of a VSA patient would have a potential
positive outcome from defibrillation?

Answer 12

ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular
tachycardia

Question 13

What are some causes of an airway obstruction?

Answer 13

edema (Anaphylaxis or inhalation), epiglottitis, tumors and the foreign body (FBAO)

Question 14

According to the ALS cardiac arrest standard, what would be conditions where very early transport should be considered?

Answer 14

1.pregnancy presumed to be ≥ 20 weeks gestation (fundus above umbilicus, ensure manual displacement of uterus to left);
2. hypothermia;
3. airway obstruction;
4. non-opioid drug overdose/toxicology, and;
5. or other known reversible cause of arrest not addressed.

Question 15

According to the ALS cardiac arrest standard, when can a medical TOR be called for a patient >16?

Answer 15

Arrest not witnessed by paramedic, and no ROSC 20 minutes of resuscitation and no defibrillation
delivered

Question 16

According to the ALS cardiac arrest standard, what are the contraindications for a medical TOR?

Answer 16

Known reversible cause of the arrest unable to be addressed, pregnancy presumed to be ≥ 20 weeks gestation, suspected hypothermia, airway obstruction, non-opioid drug overdose/toxicology