ACLS Megacode Scenario 2 | ACLS-Algorithms.com

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    • Jeff with admin. says

      If you will look at the bradycardia algorithm section on pt. 109 or pt. 112 of the AHA provider manual, you will see the the dosing of the epinephrine infusion in the bradycardia algorithm is 2-10 mcg per minute.

      For hypotension in the post arrest phase, epinephrine is weight based dosing (see pg. 76 of the AHA provider manual.)

      Kind regards,
      Jeff

  1. judy thompson says

    I get a little tangled up when carrying out the cycle.
    5 cycles-shock-drug?
    only check pulse when you see a feasilbe rhythm on the monitor only after the 5 cycles?
    Could you list in sequence–that would help me alot.
    Thank you, Judy

      • adam says

        WE were taught for witnessed arrest to shock right off the bat at 200j then 300 then 360 when i went through school at least idk if its changed

      • Jeff with admin. says

        Witnessed arrest should be shocked once the VF/VT is confirmed with the defibrillator or AED. Also for biphasic defibrillator, start with 120J then incrementally increase up to 200J. Depending on how high your biphasic defibrillator goes, you can go to the max. Where I work max biphasic dose is 360J—Regards, Jeff

  2. Mark says

    Re: Question 16. Has algorithm changed, or am I confused? I had believed that after 300 mg Amio and rhythm check, a (4th) shock preceded another 5 cycles of CPR accompanied by the 2nd epi dose. The 2nd amio (@ 150 mg) then follows the next (5th) shock, doesn’t it?
    Thanks, for your answer and for a great site.
    Mark

    • Jeff with admin. says

      That is correct. Question #16 states “consider additional dose of amio.” The question is just to ensure that people understand that they should be thinking about the next intervention before they get to it. —Kind regards, Jeff

  3. Tad DeWald says

    Does anyone know where the information is in choosing amio as your maintanence anti-arrythmic in the last question?

  4. Amanda says

    Through our ACLS course, we were taught that the 3rd drug in the succession was EPI. and with this Sim you have Ami 150. Which way is correct. It was also my understanding that you must wait 10 minutes between Ami doses. I am a bit confused now.

    • Jeff with admin. says

      This is the sequence: shock → CPR → rhythm check → shock →
      CPR+epi → rhythm check → shock → CPR+anitarrhythmic
      So the answer is 2 cycles of cpr. During the second cycle of cpr given epi. During the 3rd cycle of cpr give antiarrhythmic.
      I hope this makes sense.
      Also see page 80 in your AHA provider manual.

  5. marlene cristales says

    So to recap….you complete 5 cycles(2min) of CPR, even if – per the monitor- your pt. converts from say V.Fib to normal sinus rhythm 1min into CPR?? Love your site BTW.

    • marlene cristales says

      I think I answered my own question….correct me if I’m wrong. If while you are performing your cycles of CPR, you see an organized rhythm on the monitor(say on your 3rd cycle)….you can stop CPR, and check a pulse? BUt if it was V.fib, Vtach, or asystole you would complete your 5 cycles irregardless??

  6. Ashley says

    As a paramedic student that is going thru ACLS now, this is VERY helpful! I really like it and recommend it to anyone who is going thru ACLS!

    • Jeff with admin. says

      In accordance with the bradycardia algorithm, you can give atropine to increase the heart rate for the patient with symptomatic bradycardia. Since you are oxygenating and ventilating, the desired effect of atropine would be to increase the heart rate and move provided oxygen to the tissues through the circulatory system.
      In the scenarios provided on this site, I try and stick with the AHA guidelines strictly, but I can see how the decision to withhold atropine could be made. The patient is clearly hypoxic, and this would be the primary means of reversing the symptomatic bradycardia. –Kind regards, Jeff

    • Jeff with admin. says

      You may consider amiodarone because the patient converted after you gave the patient amiodarone during the arrest.

      If an antiarrhythmic converts the patient from a pulseless state you can consider an infusion of the antiarrhythmic that converted the rhythm.

  7. william dyer says

    Dear Jeff,
    I am using the ACLS AHA provider manual & page 110 states to use Dopamine 2 to 10 mcg/kg/min if atropine is ineffective. That answer i wrong on your test question 6 of megacode #2

    • Jeff with admin. says

      Question #6 reads: “6. Which is the correct dosing for an epinephrine infusion in the bradycardia algorithm?”
      Epinephrine infusion is 2-10 mcg/min.
      For an alternative to pacing, either dopamine or epinephrine can be used.
      If the question read “what is the correct dosing for dopamine infusion if atropine is ineffective?” then you would be correct. It would be 2-10 mcg/kg/min.

      Regards, Jeff

  8. Trenton Gray says

    I have a question concerning the first question. If you entered the room and found the patient unresponsive, and you are going to have to begin CPR, under the new guidelines, would you follow the CAB pneumonic instead of the ABC classic one and begin compressions before securing airway and breathing? I am by far a novice having only been an LPN 1 yr and set to graduate RN in only 3 weeks., so i am no expert…it is just a thought that came to mind and i thought i would ask people with more knowledge and experience. Thanks

    PS I love the site and all the learning tools you have on here!!

    • Jeff with admin. says

      The patient has a pulse, but her condition is unstable. H’s and T’s would point to hypoxia as the possible cause of the arrest. In hospital providers are supposed to tailor the interventions to the most likely cause of the arrest. You would secure the airway and use a BVM. The AHA ACLS Guidelines pg. 14 states: “Lone healthcare providers may tailor the sequence of rescue actions to the most likely cause of arrest.” Also in the Highlights of the AHA ACLS guidelines Summary pg. 2 it states: “Healthcare providers are again encouraged to tailor rescue actions to the most likely cause of arrest.” (AHA 2010 ACLS Highlights). If you were only a BLS provider it would be appropriate to begin chest compressions, but being an ACLS provider, you begin the ACLS protocol. For this situation the appropriate action would be to attempt to correct the hypoxic state. –Kind regards, Jeff

  9. Andria says

    I was wondering on the last question, I am looking at the 2011 algorithm guidelines and for bradycardia is says to use Dopamine or epinephrine infusion. I was wondering where does the amiodarone come in? can the amiodarone be used instead or am I in left field? Thanks

    • Jeff with admin. says

      Andria,
      This scenario ended with conversion of Ventricular Fibrillation to a perfusing sinus rhythm. Conversion occurred after the use of the antiarrhythmic amiodarone, therefore, you should initiate an amiodarone infusion for the post cardiac arrest phase.
      You would not use the bradycardia algorithm at this stage of the scenario. —Regards, Jeff

  10. Aderonke Adeyemi says

    I like this mega code stimulator. It makes me to think before making any decision. I had done mega code several times

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