ACLS Certification

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Hello,

I work on a busy hospital med/surg floor with-out telemetry (all other floors have). They are now turning our floor to a monitored floor in a few months and we all now have to take ACLS classes. The problem is, most of us can't read strips, let alone understand the complexity of irregular rhythms. Seems like this could be dangerous for the patients if you don't have experienced RN's that know what they are reading. We have ICU, IMC, PCU x2, surgical and OB's. Just reviewing "the basics" is hard enough to grasp, let alone this other material we have to learn. Can anyone give me some advice on the best way to learn this (a way that it's really broken down easily to learn)? Thanks :)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

There are many, many YouTube videos and Internet tutorials that will break down EKG strips & rhythms into manageable bites. Just Google.

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

You'll get a book before your ACLS class with all the types of strips you need to know explained and reviewed. You will not have to actually "read" ECG (i.e. calculate axis, know that subtle variations of waves mean, etc.).

I assure you, it is absolutely not the rocket science. Don't be afraid!

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Specializes in EMT since 92, Paramedic since 97, RN and PHRN 2021.

Get Dubins EKG book. Can't go wrong!

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

BTW, it is ECG, "ElectroCardioGram". Like Cardiac unit, Cardiologist, Cardiac Cath, etc :yes:

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BTW, it is ECG, "ElectroCardioGram". Like Cardiac unit, Cardiologist, Cardiac Cath, etc :yes:

You know that either way is correct?

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.
You know that either way is correct?

According to Merriam-Webster, it is one with C:

Electrocardiogram | Definition of Electrocardiogram by Merriam-Webster

Ekg | Definition of Ekg by Merriam-Webster - links the abbreviation to the "electrocardiogram"

One of our professors, a true and dedicated APA nazi, tried to take off points for the "K". Eventually, she did not come to that amidst the chorus of students' complains, but she had her point.

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According to Merriam-Webster, it is one with C:

Electrocardiogram | Definition of Electrocardiogram by Merriam-Webster

Ekg | Definition of Ekg by Merriam-Webster - links the abbreviation to the "electrocardiogram"

One of our professors, a true and dedicated APA nazi, tried to take off points for the "K". Eventually, she did not come to that amidst the chorus of students' complains, but she had her point.

According to Einthoven, the Dutch guy who invented it, it's a "K". The German translation is Elektro-kardiographie, the Greek is kardio. It was not invented here in America.

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Specializes in BSN, RN-BC, NREMT, EMT-P, TCRN.
BTW, it is ECG, "ElectroCardioGram". Like Cardiac unit, Cardiologist, Cardiac Cath, etc :yes:

By the way, it is interchangeably EKG or ECG. EKG is from the German "electro-kardiographie". So either is appropriate. Also, per Allnurses Terms of Service,"Desiring to maintain professionalism, text speak (also known as chatspeak, txtspk, texting language or txt talk) " is discouraged.

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

Free ECG Simulator! - SkillSTAT

A great place to start

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Specializes in home health, hospice, SNF, geriatrics.

It takes time and practice. Main point to remember is how to treat the issue with acls. What degree heart block?? Does it matter? You will treat it the same either way so don't get caught up on specifics.

Remember stable medicine unstable Edison

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Specializes in Critical care.

I'll second Youtube, and add Khan Academy as free lectures for self-learning. Also, seek out your hospital's education dept.

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