Week 6- Management of Cardiac Arrest Flashcards
What is a cardiac arrest?
- Occurs when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops pumping
- Often from an irregular heart rhythm
- Blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs
What are the causes of cardiac arrest?
- Atherosclerosis or other underlying cardiac diseases
- Genetic disorders
- Cardiomyopathies
- Can occur after electrocution, drowning, trauma, drug overdoses
Pt. Location during a Cardiac Arrest
- Ensure they are on a hard flat surface- floor vs. bed
- Ensure there is enough space
- Planning ahead- extrication
- Move pt. ONLY if necessary
DON’T MOVE PT. BACK
What should you do to confirm a cardiac arrest?
- Rapid assessment of C-A-B to determine if pt. is in cardiac arrest
- Many different presentations can initially appear as cardiac arrest
- Check carotid & radial pulses as well as breathing in <10 secs
Once a cardiac arrest is confirmed, what should you do next?
Apply the monitor
- Apply pads immediately
Do we count pre-arrival interventions when dealing with a cardiac arrest?
- Paramedics DO NOT count pre-arrival interventions into their pt care.
- Care delivered prior to arrival can be “considered”and documented
What do we follow when doing CPR?
- High-quality CPR
- Do not interrupt compressions except for rhythm checks and defib
- Remember that once an advanced airway is placed- compressions become continuous
- Don’t interrupt CPR for an advanced airway
- Swap compressors every 2 mins
30:2 without advanced airway- 1:6 when advanced airway, CPR becomes continuous
What is the airway management?
- Begin with OPA and BVM ventilations
- Ensure ETCO2 is applied
- Suction as needed
- Introduce advanced airway when possible
What do you want to aim to have SPO2 & ETCO2?
SPO2= 94-96%
ETCO2= 35-45 mmHg
What happens once an advanced airway is placed in your pt?
- Compressions become asynchronous at a rate of 10bpm, 1:6
What are the advanced airways for PCP?
- Supraglottic airways (king LT’s & I-gel)
What are the reasons to prioritize an Advanced airway?
- Vomit or airway full of secretions
- Prolonged resuscitation or extrication
- Poor seal with OPA/ BVM
When should you do pulse checks?
- Routinely every 2 mins
- Done last 15 secs of the 2 min CPR cycle
- Use carotid or femoral
What does defibrillation do to the heart?
- Defib stuns the heart muscle momentarily and allows the normal conduction to resume control
How old must a pt be to get defibed?
- Pt. must >24 hrs old