[AfghaniPrinzess]

i need to take an acls class to do a trvl assignment. im in labor n delivery..anyway iam nervousssss about the class. how hard is it? does anyone know of any study guides that are helpful? the manual is sooo long i have no clue what to focus on. helppp!!

[dianah]

Algorithms, algorithms, algorithms (the flow charts).

Know your algorithms and meds/dosages.

[billythekid]

I agree w Diana... algorithms, meds & dosages.. Also, review the ekgs for quick recognition and to answer questions like the following:.

The patient has the following ekg strip (3rd degree block).. the patient was stable but is now c/o acute SOB and 8/10 CP w v/s of 80/50 and hr 38... what is the FIRST course of action that should be taken?

choices:
a) atropine 1.0 mg IVP
b) atropine 0.5 mg IVP
c) begin immediate TCP
d) sedate patient and begin TCP

Just an example of a question type on the exam to give you perspective. BTW, I'd go with "c"

[wtbcrna]

Originally Posted by AfghaniPrinzess

i need to take an acls class to do a trvl assignment. im in labor n delivery..anyway iam nervousssss about the class. how hard is it? does anyone know of any study guides that are helpful? the manual is sooo long i have no clue what to focus on. helppp!!

Get the book & CD ahead of time and try to go over it. Everything you need you should be able to get in class. ACLS is a much friendlier class than it used to be in the distant past. All the facilities I have taught at try to ensure that the students pass even if it means tutoring them and then retesting them at a later date/later that afternoon.
ACLS is designed to spoon feed you all the information you need as long as you put out a minimal amount of effort.

Good Luck (basic EKG recognition will probably help you the most....Asystole, V Tach, V Fib, Heart blocks, NSR, PEA)