I know BLS/ACLS is vitally important. But (thankfully) since I left acute care bedside nursing 15 years ago I haven't been near a code! Actually once in a blue moon one is called, my fellow (old) nurse and I, (who have been there, done that), joke...if you're over 60 you don't have to go to codes...as usual there were already about 20 other health care providers responding.
I have renewed BLS/ACLS so many times. Whenever I hear ACLS my mind starts singing, Shock, shock, shock, everybody shock, little shock, big shock, little shock, big shock.
All I want is a quick easy (somebody do my homework for me) answer. During basic one person or two person CPR (after the initial pulse check) when do you check the pulse again?
Yes I have the whole stupid book right in front of me....YES I am asking for homework help!-
Honestly I just get so tired of re-reading the same book,(or new up-dated version), same pictures, every two years....I just can't re-read it this year!
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
But the book was in front of her and she's choosing not to look at it. Reminds me of another current thread talking about older nurses who continue to work but are unable or unwilling to keep up.
Oh, fer Gawd's sake...all the ills of the nursing profession don't rest on the shoulders of older nurses. There are plenty of nurses of all levels of experience who are slackers when it comes to continuing education.
"Honestly I just get so tired of re-reading the same book,(or new up-dated version), same pictures, every two years....I just can't re-read it this year!"
and everyone on this forum would be eating them alive. Every nurse, new, young, old, experienced or in-, has to be willing to at least put in a minimal amount of effort to stay current. She can't remember CP/breaths ration?? (We're not talking algorithms.) AND she's unwilling to open a book? What else is she tired of reading? P&P's? Patient charts? She needs to retire.
Not because she doesn't know the basic facts, but because she's no longer willing to put forth any effort.
"Honestly I just get so tired of re-reading the same book,(or new up-dated version), same pictures, every two years....I just can't re-read it this year!
And everyone on this forum would be eating them alive. Every nurse, new, young, old, experienced or in- has to be willing to at least put in a minimal amount of effort. She can't remember CP/breaths ration?? (We're not talking algorithms.) AND she's unwilling to open a book. She needs to retire.
Not because she doesn't know the basic facts, but because she's not willing to put forth any effort.
She wasn't the one who couldn't remember the ratio that was me and yes I can remember it. It's just when you do something for over 30 years one way and it gets changed you sometimes have to think a second. I know, I know you probably wouldn't want me to care for any of your loved ones. If it helps I just re-certified my BLS and got 100% on my test and an invite to re-up my INSTRUCTOR certification.
She wasn't the one who couldn't remember the ratio that was me and yes I can remember it. It's just when you do something for over 30 years one way and it gets changed you sometimes have to think a second. I know, I know you probably wouldn't want me to care for any of your loved ones. If it helps I just re-certified my BLS and got 100% on my test and an invite to re-up my INSTRUCTOR certification.
Congratulations on your 100% and your instructor invitation. But I bet you studied for the exam (if you needed to) or brushed up on any vague areas. I bet you weren't too tired of that old book to do that.
p.s. I'd be happy for you to take care of my loved ones because you obviously keep up.
Okay....after tediously going over the manual for the billionth time in my 30 years.....you are going to "Conduct a rhythm check after 2 minutes (about 5 cycle) of CPR". Well.....actually "you" are not going to do this....you are going to allow the AED to do this....anyway...back to my sad story...so after 2 minutes let the AED do a rhythm check and you "Perform a pulse check - preferably during rhythm analysis - ONLY IF AN ORGANIZED RHYTHM IS PRESENT."
How in the heck do you know if there is an organized rhythm since the AED is not a cardiac monitor so you cannot see a "organized rhythm"? I mean...that sentence makes great sense if the patient is on a cardiac monitor, but it doesn't make sense to me if they are not on a cardiac monitor, you only have the AED?
After two minutes (about 5 cycles) of CPR you conduct a rhythm check (let the AED do its thing) and if it says no shock advised....then do you do a pulse check? Makes more sense to me than during rhythm analysis only if an organized rhythm is present!
Anyway you young whipper snapper/rug rats....I was taking ACLS when we had to do ABG analysis and calculate calcium and sodium dosages, to pass ACLS, so nyah nyah to you!
As someone who has been certified since I was 14 (nearly 40 years of certification) I feel your pain. The 2010 changes have thrown me for a bit of a loop. Something that had become rote gives me pause now and again. I still have to remind myself 30:2 and CAB!
I know! I GET that we have to use EBP and all, but when you work in a low-acuity setting and the only time you ever need CPR is recertification- and it's different every time- it is frustrating. Because I know if I ever need it I have to remember it the right "newest" way.
Okay....after tediously going over the manual for the billionth time in my 30 years.....you are going to "Conduct a rhythm check after 2 minutes (about 5 cycle) of CPR". Well.....actually "you" are not going to do this....you are going to allow the AED to do this....anyway...back to my sad story...so after 2 minutes let the AED do a rhythm check and you "Perform a pulse check - preferably during rhythm analysis - ONLY IF AN ORGANIZED RHYTHM IS PRESENT."
How in the heck do you know if there is an organized rhythm since the AED is not a cardiac monitor so you cannot see a "organized rhythm"?
If someone is an ACLS provider using ACLS protocols, that person
I'm sorry but my first reaction upon reading your OP was, "you've got to be kidding me".
We all get sick of re-reading the same book and the same pictures every two years, but do it because we owe it to our patients to know what is going on when this situation arises.
I understand the changes made can be hard to get used to. I also understand that you're in a position in which you don't use this information often. I only hope that you realize that as a nurse who is certified in BLS/ACLS it's your responsibility to understand what to do, when to do it and why it's being done.
After reading your second post, I see that you are really trying to understand and I get how sometimes you just need it explained in a way that makes sense to you.
icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN
1,970 Posts
Ram Jam and Spider ...
Ram Jam - Black Betty (Official Video) - YouTube
â–¶ 2:23
Here's some old peoples music (just kidding) to help you with the rhythm and speed for compressions as recommended by my paramedic friend.