Resus - Adult

Question 1

What are the five (5) key interventions in the chain of survival?

Answer 1

• Early recognition & call for backup
• Early CPR that emphasises compressions
• Rapid defibrillation if indicated
• Effective advanced life support
• Integrated postcardiac arrest care

Question 2

How many minutes apart should the pts cardiac rhythm be confirmed?

Answer 2

2mins apart

Question 3

Outline the process for a non-traumatic adult arrest that does not have a foreign body in the first 6mins only.

Answer 3

• DRCAB
• Commence CPR 30:2
• Apply pads & commence immediate AED
  rhythm analysis 
  - if VF/VT deliver single direct current
    countershock
  - if PEA continue..
• Commence CPR 30:2 for 3x2min cycles with
   rhythm assessment after each cycle
   • Consider:
     - basic airway adjuncts 
     - CPR metronome
     - corPatch CPR sensor 
     - switching from AED to manual defib mode

Question 4

What is the manual joule (J) settings for the corpuls³ & LIFEPAK’12 respectively?

Answer 4

• corpuls³ - all shocks 200j

* LIFEPAK’12 - 200, 300, 360

Question 5

What are the 5H’s & 4T’s? State them

Answer 5

Reversible causes of arrest.

H - hypoxia
H - hypothermia
H - hypovolaemia 
H - hypo/hyperkalaemia 
H - hydrogen ion (acidosis)
T - tension pneumothorax 
T - tamponade
T - toxins
T - thrombosis

Question 6

State the algorithm of treatment after first 6mins (3 cycles) of CPR

Answer 6

• Continue with 2mins of CPR 30:2
 - Consider:
   - LMA, IV access, Adrenaline 
   - Reversible causes 
   - MCCD - mechanical chest compression     
     device
   - Amioderone (Refractory VF/VT)
   - ETT (≥ 10mins CRR)
• Continue with cycles until ROSC or ROLE as per CPG