ACLS

Question 1

First 4 ACLS actions for cardiac arrest

Answer 1

start CPR (compressions + bag them with O2)
give O2
attach monitors defib
get access

Question 2

Shockable (2) and not shockable (2) rhythms

Answer 2

shock - VF, pVT

no shock - PEA, asystole

Question 3

What drug for cardiac arrest?

What frequency?

Answer 3

epinephrine 1 mg q2-3 minutes

Question 4

Can’t get an IV, what do you do?

Answer 4

IO

Central line

Question 5

Shockable rhythm, you give shock, what drug do you think of now? what dose(s)?

Answer 5

amioderone 300 mg bolus, then 150 mg bolus

Question 6

Shock energy for cardiac arrest defib?

Answer 6

biphasic 120-200 joules

Question 7

Reversible causes of cardiac arrest?

5Hs

Answer 7

5Hs, 5Ts
Hypovolemia
Hypoxia
Hydrogen ion (acidosis)
Hyper/hypo-K, Ca, Mg
Hypothermia

Tension Pneumo
Tamponade
Thrombus - pulm PE
Thrombus - cardiac MI
Toxins - reversal agents, antidotes

Question 8

Reversible causes of cardiac arrest?

5Ts

Answer 8

5Hs, 5Ts
Hypovolemia
Hypoxia
Hydrogen ion (acidosis)
Hyper/hypo-K, Ca, Mg
Hypothermia

Tension Pneumo
Tamponade
Thrombus - pulm PE
Thrombus - cardiac MI
Toxins - reversal agents, antidotes

Question 9

Unstable bradycardia (with pulse) - options for management? (3)

Answer 9

1. atropine 0.5-1 mg q3-5 minutes, MAX 3 mg
2. pacing - transcutaneous or transvenous
3. infusion - dopamine IV infusion 2-10 mcg/kg/min - epinephrine IV infusion 2-10 mcg/min