ACLS Megacode Scenario 2 | ACLS-Algorithms.com

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  1. Anita1 says

    Thank you so much Jeff and team, I passed my ACLS today this was not a recertification but my first ACLS I was awesome
    Thanks Anita RN

  2. topazkimc says

    question #17 . You now consider maintenance antiarrhythmic therapy that can be started if any arrhythmias persist in the post arrest phase. Which is the best drug of choice in this scenario?

    How come it is amiodarone and not epi? I do not see this information in my provider manual.

    • Jeff with admin. says

      Epinephrine is not an antiarrhythmic. You would use epinephrine, dopamine, or norepinephrine if the patient is hypotensive BP<90.
      The question about amiodarone is not in the AHA ACLS Provider manual. However, in the past, the manual included the use of prophylactic amiodarone in the post arrest phase if it was used in the treatment of cardiac arrest. Now AHA states in their literature that amiodarone can be used as a post arrest antiarrhythmic if any arrhythmias persist in the post arrest phase.
      Kind regards,
      Jeff

    • nebs23 says

      Amiodarone was used to convert the patient out of vfib therefore it is the best antiarrhythmic to give.

  3. robin524 says

    Hi Jeff,

    Why wouldn’t you give another dose of atropine prior to initiating transcutaneous pacing? I thought 0.5 mg of atropine should be repeated every 3-5 minutes to a maximum of 3mg?

    Thanks

    • Jeff with admin. says

      In this scenario, the pt. is showing clear signs of poor perfusion. This was after the first dose of atropine. Due to the 3-5 minute lag time after the first dose and the patient not responding to the dose of atropine, you should move on to TCP. The extra doses of atropine are often times used after the patient has responded well to the first dose and then the HR begins to drop again.

      Kind regards,
      Jeff

    • Jeff with admin. says

      CAB applies to the BLS sequence of actions for initiating CPR. You asked this question on Megacode Scenario #2. Was there a specific question in this scenario that you were asking about.

      Kind regards,
      Jeff

      • Jeff with admin. says

        In this scenario, the patient has a palpable carotid pulse with a rate of 25. She is unstable but the rhythm is bradycardia. The bradycardia algorithm calls for treatment of reversible causes and then treatment with TCP asap and the use of atropine while TCP is being prepared.
        Given the scenario, the most likely cause of this arrest is hypoxia.
        Some health care providers would initiate CPR in this case due to the instability, but rapid treatment of the bradycardia by reversing the hypoxia is the most important intervention. Health care providers may tailor the treatment to the most likely cause of the arrest.
        Kind regards,
        Jeff

    • Jeff with admin. says

      AHA ACLS Guidelines do not require the check of a 2nd lead. If the monitor shows asystole and your pulse check revels a state of pulselessness then it is appropriate to interventions using the right branch of the pulseless arrest algorithm.

      Kind regards,
      Jeff

    • Jeff with admin. says

      Asystole is not treated with shocks. Only pulseless VT and VF are treated with shocks.
      Asystole is treated using the right branch of the pulseless arrest algorithm. The treatment would be CPR and epinephrine given every 3-5 minutes.

      Kind regards,
      Jeff

    • Jeff with admin. says

      When epinephrine is used in the bradycardia algorithm as an alternative to TCP, the dosage is 2-10 mcg/min.
      When dopamine is use in the bradycardia algorithm as an alternative to TCP, the dosage is 2-10 mcg/kg per minute.
      You can find this information on page 110 of the AHA ACLS provider manual.

      Kind regards,
      Jeff

  4. eileenreilly says

    This is a nonperfusing, bradycardiac rhythm of an unconscious pt, chest compressions should start first?

    • Jeff with admin. says

      The patient does have a palpable carotid pulse. According to AHA, if a pulse is palpable, the bradycardia algorithm should be initiated. I do understand were you are coming from with your statement and this scenario could go either way. On this site, I try and stick strictly to the AHA guidelines for consistency between scenarios. Since the patient does have a palpable carotid pulse, the bradycardia algorithm was initiated.
      Kind regards, Jeff

    • Jeff with admin. says

      Dosing for defibrillation using a biphasic defibrillator increases in a stepwise fashion. 120 then 200 then 300, then 360. 360 J is the max on most biphasic defibrillators. All of the scenarios on this site will be considered biphasic unless mentioned in the question. Also, in the AHA ACLS defibrillator dose as 120-200 J. This 120-200 J is the starting dose. You can begin anywhere from 120-200 J. 120 J is a reasonable place to start in most cases.

      Kind regards,
      Jeff

      • jdituri says

        actually there is only one defibrillator that has 360j biphasic capabilities. That is the the Medtronic physio control defibrillator. Zoll and all other ones just reach 200J which is pretty standard in all of WA unless you have a EP lab.

  5. nabeel997 says

    16. You give the amiodarone 300 mg IV and after 5 more cycles of CPR you check the rhythm which remains in ventricular fibrillation. What is your next

    d. both A and C
    Dory i can t understand it , I know in this case ” – drug – during CPR- stock – drug. I thinke must be take epinephrine because retun to first algorithm .please can you explain to me

    • Jeff with admin. says

      After the first dose of epinephrine, it is basically on its own time table (every 3-5 minutes). As you are shocking, the guidelines state that you should be considering the administration of a 2nd dose of amiodarone to be given during CPR after the 4th shock.
      Kind regards,
      Jeff

    • Ricardo says

      what i am unsure about is the sequence. After a shock a rhythm is checked. I keep thinking that this is done after each drug given once drugs have commenced.
      Is it that there is not hard and fast rule

      • Jeff with admin. says

        For the Pulseless arrest algorithm (Left branch) which is treatment of pulseless VT/VF. The starting point may be a little different depending if you have a defibrillator on hand.
        Shock – CPR –Rhythm check – Shock – CPR – Epi (during CPR) –Rhythm check –Shock – CPR — Amio 300 (during CPR) – Rhythm check – Shock – CPR – Amio 150 (during CPR) – Rhythm check

        Let me make it look a little different. It may help:
        Shock
        CPR
        Rhythm check

        Shock
        CPR (Epi)
        Rhythm check

        Shock
        CPR (Amio 300)
        Rhythm check

        Shock
        CPR (Amio 150)
        Rhythm check

        I hope this help you see the patter. For the left branch of the pulseless arrest algorithm.

        Kind regards,
        Jeff

  6. shaneparkk says

    Q13: I wanted to give epi 1mg but it said to shock. Is the algorithm shock CPR shock CPR and then introduce meds? Or can I shock CPR and give epi considering that I already have if/io in place?

    • Jeff with admin. says

      AHA Guidelines have the first dose of epinephrine after the 2nd shock. Therefore per AHA guidelines, I would say to give the epinephrine after the 2nd shock during CPR.
      In my experience, when a code team is working together and there is a designated person taking care of IV access and drugs the epinephrine is give as soon as it can be drawn up and IV access is established.
      The main thing is to make sure you do not focus on medications. High quality CPR and early defibrillation saves lives.

      Kind regards,
      Jeff

    • Jeff with admin. says

      The patient’s rhythm went from bradycardia to asystole. In this situation, cardioversion or shock would not be an option. Asystole is treated with the right branch of the pulseless arrest algorithm. This calls for CPR. No shocks are used with asystole.

      Kind regards,
      Jeff

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