CPR, EKG & ACLS QUESTIONS?????

chip193 · Oct 12, 2005

There are so many tachycardias I could scream! What really happens in the ACLS class? Also, what ekg readings should I recognize? totally new to me, and the heart blocks and stuff like ST elevation and 12 lead ekg to identify infarct location .....oh dear.....give me asystole or VF....puleeze!

Tachys aren't so bad as long as you break it down something like this:

(1) Stable or Unstable?

Unstable - sedate and cardiovert.

Stable - keep going.

(2) Wide or narrow?

Wide - try a 2b dysrhythmic (Amiodarone, Lidocaine, Mag, Procanamide)

Narrow - try vagals.

- then Adenosine 6, 12, 12 - this probably won't solve the fast

rate, but it will slow it for a few seconds to see what's really

going on

- try one other drug (like dig, cardizem, a b-blocker) but make

sure it is appropriate for the rhythm

(3) Slow down?

Yup - think about a drip or some other form of care that will keep this

from happening again.

Nope - sedate and cardiovert.

Remember, you only get to try one drug (Adenosine doesn't count!) before you sedate and cardiovert. The fear is that the reactions of multiple mediations is worse than the cardioverson, so you do that instead of mixing the meds.

Good luck,

Chip

chadash · Oct 12, 2005

Chip:

One Million thanks!

sjb2005 · Oct 12, 2005

I recommend a basic EKG class first or a refresher if it's been awhile. Good luck!!!!

thatoneguy · Oct 12, 2005

i like that break down chip. good info thanks.

thatoneguy · Oct 13, 2005

hey siri,

quick and easy question. to label a rhythm that is a PAC. do i call it sinus rhythm with PAC's? same with heart block. do i call it say 1st degree HB or sinus rythm with 1st degree heart block?

chadash · Oct 13, 2005

thatoneguy

are you thatoneguy that did thatonething thatonetime?

(from a closet veggie tales fan)

Editorial Team / Admin · Oct 13, 2005

hey siri,
quick and easy question. to label a rhythm that is a PAC. do i call it sinus rhythm with PAC's? same with heart block. do i call it say 1st degree HB or sinus rythm with 1st degree heart block?

Hello, thatoneguy,:balloons:

Yes, that is the way to do it. Name the native, underlying rhythm first...

thatoneguy · Oct 14, 2005

thanks siri.

thatoneguy
are you thatoneguy that did thatonething thatonetime?
(from a closet veggie tales fan)

could be could be. i have done thatonething atonetime sometime or another.

rcpals · Jan 10, 2006

Here is a easy one for PEA. Possible causes( the h's and t's), Epinephrine, Atropine. The entire algorithm is in the initials PEA and in the correct order.

Bradycardia.

Another algorithm to drive everyone insane. Atropine, atropine, transcutanious, dopamine, epi and isuprel .

This is the rt way. We have to keep is simple.

Jeff

chadash · Jan 10, 2006

Here is a easy one for PEA. Possible causes( the h's and t's), Epinephrine, Atropine. The entire algorithm is in the initials PEA and in the correct order.
Bradycardia.
Another algorithm to drive everyone insane. Atropine, atropine, transcutanious, dopamine, epi and isuprel .
This is the rt way. We have to keep is simple.
Jeff

That is great! even I can remember that!

MMARN, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2006

hello everyone how goes it out there. well i am planning on going in to either CTU or CCU and to get my cpr updated my ekg cert. and acls cert. i have the oppertunity to take the cpr on 10/10 which is not an issue. but i want to sign up for the basic EKG class on 10/16 then sign up for the ACLS class on the 10/22-23rd. the question is does this schedule seem workable? just dont know how much info is in the acls class. you see after i pay and sign up they send me pre study material. just want to know if there is enough time to finish all the material needed for the pre study stuff between the EKG class and the ACLS class. any thoughts or input for anyone who has taken it before??

I did something similar to this and it worked out fine. You'll do fine. Good luck.

GO YANKEES!!!!!:balloons: :balloons:

thatoneguy · Jan 10, 2006

ahh thanks, it did work out with no problem. in fact i was very much over prepaired, if there is such a thing. new "at least in the class setting" more than most of the 10 year vets in there. i just got hired for CCU. starting to get ready for that. have a few weeks before i will be on the floor.