adult advanced life support

Question 1

ratio of chest compressions to ventilation

Answer 1

30:2

• compression continued while a defib is charged

Question 2

defibrillation in the community vs in a monitored patient in hospital

Answer 2

community = single shock for VF/pulseless VT followed by 2 mins of CPR

monitored = up to 3 quick successive (stacked) shocks, rather than 1 shock followed by CPR

Question 3

drug delivery in adult advanced life support

Answer 3

IV = 1st line

-> if cannot be achieved = intraosseous route(IO)

should NOT be given through tracheal tube

Question 4

when should adrenaline be given in non-shockable vs shockable rhythmas

Answer 4

non-shockable = ASAP !

shockable = once chest compressions have restarted after the 3rd shock

-> repeat adrenaline 1mg every 3-5mins whilst ALS continues

Question 5

does of adrenaline given in adult ALS

Answer 5

1mg

Question 6

amiodarone in ALS

Answer 6

300mg should be give to patients who are in VF/pulseless VT after 3shocks

• a firther 150mg dose should be given after 5shocks

Question 7

alternative to amiodarone in ALS

Answer 7

lidocaine

Question 8

how should the length of time doing CPR be altered if thrombolytic drugs are administered

Answer 8

if thrombolysis given, CPR should be continued for an extended period of 60-90mins

Question 9

reversible causes of cardiac arrest !!!

Answer 9

H’s
- hypoxia
- hypovolaemia
- hyper/hypokalaemia
- hypoglycaemia
-hypothermia

T’s
- thrombosis (coronary or pulmonary)
- tension pneumothorax
- tamponade (cardiac)
- toxins

Question 10

give atropine in asystole?

Answer 10

NO !