Taking ACLS, what to expect and how to prepare?

Nurses New Nurse

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Im going to be taking my ACLS. in about a month. I am a new grad, working at a hospital for about 7 months now. I have already taken my BLS course. Can anyone who has taken it please let me know what to expect, and what I can do now that I am awaiting to take it. I know its more advanced, and there is a test, and a skills test. Any breakdown of what to expect would be helpful.

Thank you in advance.

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I took the ACLS and I didnt prepare at all. I had no problem passing it on the first try. They go over everything in detail for 2 days! You will do fine!

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

You should receive an ACLS booklet in the mail prior to your course. That's really all you need to review- as all the information will be in that book. Inside the book, you'll find a breakdown (logarithms) of how to respond in the event of multiple emergency situations. Most of these situations will be cardiac in nature, so you'll want to have a good handle on the most common heart rhythms (sinus, sinus brady, sinus tach, v-tach, v-fib, a-fib, SVT, asystole) and know which medications/drugs and interventions you would perform if your patient presented in one of those rhythms. Again, this will be covered in the book and during the review class. Knowing your "code meds"- medications that are given in an emergency, the rationale for them, and the dosages is also important.

At the end of the class, there is a "mega-code" situation where you will be the team leader. You'll be presented with an emergency scenario and you will direct the rest of the team and make the decisions about what to do. Then there is a written exam. You need to pass both in order to pass the class.

The book and the course review will go over everything you need to know before the test.

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Specializes in Emergency.
I took the ACLS and I didnt prepare at all. I had no problem passing it on the first try. They go over everything in detail for 2 days! You will do fine!

DITTO to this one.

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Thanks everyone for your response. :nurse:

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