ACLS Megacode Scenario 1 | ACLS-Algorithms.com

Comments

  1. Michael Ilarraza says

    Good scenario, I’ve taken and passed the 2005 guidelines and I’m refreshing with the new standards, for those of you getting ready to test on these this is a very likely scenario you may be given, with the exception, of course, of multiple choice.

  2. Jenny Porter says

    I don’t understand why the answer for #7 is 120-200J. The same energy was given in #4 that has failed. The answer should be 200-300J.

    • Jeff with admin. says

      There are a variety of theories and opinions about defibrillation. The information provided here strictly adheres to the AHA protocol. You can review these guidelines in this reference: Circulation. 2010; 122: S706-S719 doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.110.970954 (under part 6: electrical therapies)

      • Scott Sorge says

        I agree with Jenny. The recent paramedic class, which is what I’m in currently, states that if you are unsuccessful with 120-200j, then your next step should be 200-300j. If that is unsuccessful then 360 is your next step. I don’t see the benefit of wasting a shock on a previously unsuccessful shock level.

      • Jeff with admin. says

        You could increase the dose up to 360J, but you would be just as likely to convert using the
        same dose based on the literature available. Some defibrillators only go to 200J while others may go up to 360.
        You would be ok to go up to 360 J in a stepwise fashion.
        Here is a quote AHA Guidelines Part 6 under Electrical Therapies: (note the bold type)
        “Commercially available biphasic AEDs provide either fixed
        or escalating energy levels. Multiple prospective human
        clinical studies23,52,53 and retrospective studies21,22,39,48,62,63
        have failed to identify an optimal biphasic energy level for
        first or subsequent shocks. Human studies50,52 have not
        demonstrated evidence of harm from any biphasic waveform
        defibrillation energy up to 360 J, with harm defined as
        elevated biomarker levels, ECG findings, and reduced ejection
        fraction. Conversely, several animal studies have shown
        the potential for myocardial damage with much higher energy
        shocks.64–66 Therefore, it is not possible to make a definitive
        recommendation for the selected energy for subsequent biphasic
        defibrillation attempts. However, based on available
        evidence, we recommend that second and subsequent energy
        levels should be at least equivalent and higher energy levels
        may be considered
        , if available (Class IIb, LOE B).”

  3. Jenny Porter says

    4. After synchronized cardioversion is unsuccessful, the pt. continues to deteriorate. The patient is now unconscious with pusleless ventricular tachycardia. Below is what you see on the monitor:

    I don’t understand why CPR and defib is not given to pulseless ventricular tachy.

  4. Chandler says

    A doctor’s order is required to induce therapeutic hypothermia, you can’t just do it. Nurses can’t
    just place a patient on it because AHA said so, and everyone had best be careful in interference AHA is now doing. Once they yget away with it this time, it will get worse in the future. Call your nursing board to put a stop to their illegal advice. One nurse was reprimanded and punished pretty severely for doing what was right for the patient but she did NOT have a doctor’s order. Be aware of AHA infringement on your license!!!!!

    • Jeff with admin. says

      You are correct about not doing anything outside of what your hospital’s policy and your license will allow. Hospitals and clinics have (should have) a policy that gives direction to nurses, RT’s and other paraprofessionals regarding what they can do without an order. Know that policy. It is usually quite short and easy to understand. AHA guidelines are just that; They are guidelines (or recommendations). Most hospitals require a physician to be present during a code blue situation and this is the person that is supposed to be directing the code and giving orders. On this website, it is assumed that you understand that you should not practice outside of your license. The practice questions and megacode scenarios are to familiarize you with the entire spectrum of Advanced Cardiac Life Support. In ACLS, you are part of a team and you should understand the full spectrum of ACLS so that if one of the team falls short in some area of knowledge, they will have someone in the team to back them up and provide correct interventions. Thanks for the comment. —Jeff

  5. Ric says

    Mild induced hypothermia is an evidence-based treatment in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patient who is in comatose state. This treatment showed positive neurologic outcome post-cardiac arrest. The criteria include comatose patient is intubated, stable SBP > 90 mmHg with or without vasopressor support, K+ level is normal, asepsis, and no active bleeding. Cold saline via IV and other external cooling methods are employed until the body reaches a target temp between 32 deg C and 34 deg C within 1-3 hours. In cardiac arrest caused by VF, our brain becomes very active in response to the pathological process which increase cerebral metabolic demands and excitatory neurotransmitter release that lead to inflammatory processes that are harmful to the brain. By cooling down, the brain becomes less active, thus, reduction in these pathological responses.

  6. Jenn L. Patrick says

    Great idea. My study partner and I have been looking for something that we could use to practice scenarios outside of class. Thank you!

  7. michlle says

    Call me ignorant… but the last answer “induce theraputic hypothermia” Could you please explain rationale?

    • Jeff with admin. says

      Pg. 77-78 AHA ACLS provider manual: “If the patient fails to follow commands, the healthcare team should consider implementation of therapeutic hypothermia…..To protect the brain and other organs the resuscitation team should induce therapeutic hypothermia in the adult patients who remain comatose (lack of meaningful response to verbal commands)…. Therapeutic hypothermia is the only intervention demonstrated to improve neurologic recovery after cardiac arrest.

  8. villamor monderin says

    i like this kind of quiz.. it helps me so much.. but i need to read more about ACLS although i have already had my training .thanks a lot

  9. Christen says

    Barb, you are correct. There use to be 3 dosages of 6, 12, 12. AHA removed the 3rd dose and we are now only using two.

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