ACLS Class

chocokitten · Mar 21, 2008

I need some ideas on how and what to study for on my upcoming ACLS class. It will be my first time taking it and I would like to go in prepared. I am not a good test taker and need lots of studing! Any help would be great. Thank so much!

I haven't taken it yet, but I would guess that you should study ACLS guidelines, emergancy cardiac medications, review your life-threatening EKG arrythmias along with their treatments, and brush up on your CPR.

Good luck :) I'll be taking mine in a few months

chare · Mar 21, 2008

Read the ACLS Provider textbook. All of the information that you need to know is there.

There are several texts that have been published, however I have never seen the need in these, as the ACLS Provider text contains everything you need to know, and is what the test is based on.

Pay attention in class, and ask questions. ACLS is not the nail biter that it used to be. The environment of the course is very relaxed and designed to present the material in a clear, easily understood manner.

If you want more information, the 2005 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care are all available for download.

Good luck, relax and you'll do fine.

delta32 · Mar 21, 2008

The first rule of ACLS is know thy drugs!

when you have a understanding how what they drug is and what the actions of the drug is then the alarhythems will make sure sense. you can try to remeber the algorhythems but it will come easier with knowing the drugs.

the questions you want to ask yourself is who, what, why

who: an example is your pacemaker gone bad

what: the patient is brady give them atropine

why: atropine is will increase the HR

HTH

Jamie

p.s. if you find some neat ACLS simulators online for free, i think but dont hold me to it that the american red cross has one too.

missnurse1 · Mar 21, 2008

I much agree with the other posts. Know your rythms, all of them. Study your book and go through the algorythms until you know them. Drugs are vital in ACLS! You must know the drug, the usage, the dose, and when to push them. Have fun and learn alot! Ask questions if there is something that you don't understand. ACLS will teach you alot but they expect you to have atleast a base knowlege of the above. :)

aeauooo · Mar 21, 2008

ACLS is not the nail biter that it used to be.

No kidding. I first took ACLS 14 years ago and I got drilled in the mega-code. Now they practically walk you through it. There are a lot less drugs to know now than there used to be.

Know your rhythms.

Don't worry too much about what to do so much as why you do it.

Know the causes of PEA: 5 "H"s & 5 "T"s.

Remember that you have to tell your team to start and resume CPR.

Remember to clear before you shock.

Relax and have fun.

Boston-RN, RN · Mar 21, 2008

Hello, I just got my certification last week. The above advice is very sound. I had bought an additional study guide (just because that's what I do) and it had a lot of great very very detailed info that is absolutely unnecessary for the actual class. It's one of those "nice to know" vs. " need to know" things. Get the provider manual and read it and KNOW the drugs / rhythms and which goes with which.

SAVE THE DUMMY!! lol

vamedic4, EMT-P · Mar 22, 2008

ACLS is all about rhythms and meds. Know your rhythms backwards and forwards. They will, of course, determine what meds you will give and when.

Remember, it all starts with ABC, and when you get stuck, start over at A again.

Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Defibrillation, meds...go thru the algorhythms and get familiar with "when" things are done. This is great for testing purposes.

The test is much more involved (the written, sorry) than it used to be. The ability to recognize rhythms immediately will help you a great deal as there are some of "those" questions on there...ie "What is the rhythm on EKG #2?"

Ask questions if you don't understand. THey're not there to gig you, they exist to help you learn the material.

Read the book and take notes. Try not to psych yourself out. You can do it.

vamedic4

suanna · Mar 22, 2008

Know your drugs, know your rhythms. DO THE POST TEST IN THE BOOK/PRE TEST if they provide you with one. This will help focus your study time for the course. I know this can be overwhelming at first, but you will find the information so valuable in practice! Keep in mind- brain damaged first year residents and interns manage to pass it- a qualified RN should have no problem.

Lynn07 · Mar 25, 2008

Thank you to all who have wrote me back. I'm still a little nervous (I hate tests!!), but it sounds like the rhythms and drugs are most important so that is what I will focus on! Thanks again!