ACLS Help!

[KayTDee]

Hi everyone, I'm a 4th semester nursing student looking for some advice/resources.

Unfortunately, I have had a very hard time making anything pertaining to EKG (for example, rhythms and what exactly is happening in the heart when there is an arrhythmia) "stick".

It was all part of one of the cardiac tests last semester and despite putting in the effort, I still don't feel like I know it enough to feel comfortable.

I'm about to take an ACLS course so I'm looking for suggestions that maybe helped you guys with this material.

I guess I'm mostly a visual learner and greatly benefit from helpful ways to remember stuff (like mnemonics). A lot of the time, I read the chapter, and go to pinterest or sometimes YouTube for helpful explanations to "connect the dots". I just haven't found anything so far that helps me with this.

I have watched a couple videos, to include a Khan Academy one, which helped a little. I also practiced a little on the "Six second EKG" website, however, I have the feeling that I don't need to know everything about every single possible rhythm for ACLS. Am I wrong?

I know I'll need to know systole, bradycardia/tachycardia, v-fib, v-tach, a-fib, a-flutter, and heart blocks. Am I missing any that are essential?

If you know of a website that just has ACLS rhythms to practice with, I think that may be helpful!

So anything that gave you the "aha" moment with cardiac rhythms or anything else I mentioned would be GREATLY appreciated.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

As a long-time ECG instructor, I can assure you that you are not alone. In my experience, the first time people take an ECG course, they are pretty lost; Second time = "hey, I remember some of this stuff"; Third time =" YES!! Now I get it!" This may be exaggerated somewhat but generally correct. Make sure you have an accurate understanding of the conduction system, including its relationship to surrounding vasculature. Try to visualize.... e.g., Inferior MI involves the "bottom" of the heart nearest the diaphragm, proximity to the stomach is why so many patients with inferior MI C/O of nausea. Think about the "why"... why would an anterior MI have more effect upon ejection fraction & CO than an inferior or posterior MI? why would an infarct affect the surrounding conduction system?

My advice? Keep on doing what you're doing. Teach yourself. Use a variety of methods, especially for complex ideas and concepts. I actually had students role play cellular depolarization once. It was fun... and they got it. It even gave rise to a lasting catch phrase & inside joke for that class "Oh, you're such an ion".

[KayTDee]

Thank you, knowing I'm not the only one to not "get it" instantly makes me feel a little less anxious. Suggestions on what to keep in mind while studying is also helpful! So i appreciate it :)