Resuscitation

Question 1

Tasks

Answer 1

◦ Primary/secondary survey
◦ Airway management
◦ Vascular access
◦ Medication administration
◦ Scribe/timekeeper
◦ For cardiac arrest, establish a rotation of CPR providers and designate a quality CPR monitor whenever possible

Question 2

OMI

Answer 2

◦ Oxygen: Be sure you have an oxygen source and a means of oxygen delivery. A cannula or face mask is appropriate if the patient is breathing, but also make sure you have a working bag-valve-mask device in case the patient is apneic. If time permits, set up intubation equipment as well.
◦ Monitor: Set up a cardiac monitor and pulse oximeter, and make sure that you have a working defibrillator in case of serious dysrhythmia.
◦ IV: Set up equipment for establishing peripheral IV access. If time permits, set up advanced vascular access equipment as well – intraosseous and/or central central line kits.

Question 3

CBA

Answer 3

If your patient does not exhibit signs of life, you should assume that they are in cardiac arrest until proven otherwise, and conduct a CAB assessment. The CAB assessment consists of palpating the carotid pulse for less than ten seconds while simultaneously observing for respiratory effort. If at the end of ten seconds you are not 100% certain that the patient has a pulse, start CPR. You are very unlikely to injure a patient significantly by performing unnecessary CPR, whereas withholding needed CPR virtually guarantees your patient’s death. So when in doubt, start CPR!