I'm taking my ACLS class in 2 weeks and am nervous about the rhythms I'll need to know. I'm a new grad, and in school we spent 1 class on it. I've studied EKG basics, but Im not good at recognizing rhythms. I'm so confused about all the different leads, and how in some, negative deflections are normal. I get that its all about the electrodes, the direction of the impulse, traveling to negative or positive, but.... I still get so confused. I'm studying from EKGs Made Incredibly Easy, which is helpful. I'll study the ACLS book when it arrives. What should I focus on in my studies? Which Rhythms? VF, VT, SVT, asystole and what else? I'm finding the concept of algorithms relatively easy. The rationales. Like, give epi, then amiodarone to prevent REfibrillation. So I'm pretty OK in that area. The rhythms are causing me a lot of anxiety though. For example, I can't tell the difference b/w A-fib and premature atrial contractions. And some rhythms, I'm thinking "is that the t wave or the p?, when there is only one positive wave after a qrs complex. So confused
You just have to know the major rhythms. The blocks and stuff aren't really covered so much. If you want a good example of what you should know, go to the pre-course test. You have to complete it anyway prior to taking the class, and it's a good way to base your knowledge.
I've taken ACLS at least 15 times. I still get performance anxiety, as in my mind freezes up! Especially since I haven't worked acute care nor been to a code in 15 years.
I find a huge help to unfreeze my mind is to simply think, (as a good ACLS instructor will ask you), is the rhythm to fast or to slow.
Then hopefully you've memorized what interventions slow a too fast heart, and what interventions speed up a too slow heart.
Don't forget good basic CPR saves more heart and brain tissue than fancy drugs or rhythm interpretation.
Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.
You need to know all of the typical rhythms that can be seen in patients, otherwise you may not be able to differentiate normal from abnormal, or know which ones to treat.
Orion81RN
962 Posts
Thank you!!!