[nursekatie22]

I work on a MS/Onc/tele unit and I'll have to take ACLS in September and I'm so scared! I didn't know if there was a book, internet link, etc that would help me understand heart rythems. I'm just lost when it comes to that stuff; I can tell when it's not "normal", but that's it!

[loriann]

The ACLS instructor will go over basic rhythms (Vtach, Vfib, etc.) in class. When I started working, I had a Dysrhythmia course I had to take as part of orientation. Will your hospital offer anything like this?

I have a book called "ECG Workout" which goes over the different arrhythmias and than has practice strips with explanations of each. There's also a book by Dale Dubin called "Rapid Interpretation of ECGs" which I thought was very helpful.

[azor]

i dont know of any book or website but i believe if you do the web search,you can find one that might help you.Goodluck.Do not be scared,you can do it! Approach it with courage and you'll come out with success.Azor

[dutchgirl]

Hi Katie - in ACLS they teach you everything you need to know for the course, but if you really want to get into it, try Dale Dubin's "Rapid EKG Interpretation". When I first started in cardiac nursing (oh so long ago) it was THE book, and I still haven't found anything to beat it. I swear I learned to read EKG's by looking at his illustrations!

[emtb2rn]

Check out these sites:

http://www.randylarson.com/acls/master/rhythmst.html - rhythm quizzes.

http://skillstat.com/sixsecond2.htm - all kinds of cardiac information including rhythm tutorials & quizzes. I didn't check to see if the ACLS quiz is based on the current protocol.

The Dubin book is apparently the best, although some have trouble with him as a person....

Have fun and good luck.

[nursekatie22]

Thank you all so much! I'll try to get a hold of some of those books and go on the sites!

[All_Smiles_RN]

You need to take a basic ecg course before you start ACLS. ACLS does not teach you rhythms, they just review them and then focus on how to respond to various situations.