ACLS Megacode Scenario 2 | ACLS-Algorithms.com

Comments

  1. Cris says

    regarding #14 in giving a second consecutive dose of EPI I have been told that two vasopressors cant be given together. there must be an anti arhythmic or other drug (Other H’s T’s)drug) given between. is the 3-5 min interval dependent on other drugs?

    very good site btw, just happened on it and have learned much

    • Jeff with admin. says

      No the 3-5 min. interval is not dependent on other drugs. Once the first dose of epinephrine is given, it is on it’s own schedule of “given every 3-5 minutes.”
      The first dose is given after the 2nd shock.

      Kind regards,
      Jeff

  2. meez_dre says

    You have completed ACLS Megacode Simulator- Scenario 2.

    You scored 17 out of 17.

    Your Grade is 100.00 %

    I hope I’ll be this good when it comes to the actual megacodes..

  3. joann_campbell says

    Hi there, in Mega Code 2 question #2 asks what the dosing is for epinephrine in the bradycardia algorithm. On page 32 in my study guide it lists Epinephrine Infusion as 2-10mcg/kg/min titrate to heart rate >60. I got that wrong and the correct answer according to this website says to give 2-10mcg/min not per kg of body weight. I am confused. Which is the right answer?

  4. MCKINNEY says

    GOOD STUDY QUESTIONS. BY READING THE COMMENTS AND UNDERSTANDING THE RATIONAL THIS REALLY HELPED

  5. young kim says

    Hi Jeff,
    Regarding the last question on the 2nd scenario, post-cardiac arrest algorithm says epi 0.1-0.5mcg or norepi 0.1-0.5mcg or dopamin 5-10mcg. but your answer is amiodarone. what am I missing here?

    your question is “You have corrected the ventricular fibrillation and the patient is stabilizing. You now consider maintenance antiarrhythmic therapy. Which is the best drug of choice in this scenario?”

    • Jeff with admin. says

      Amiodarone is used for antiarrhythmic therapy. It helps prevent any further arrhythmias like VT
      Dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine are used in the post cardiac arrest phase to treat hypotension (low bloodpressure).
      This question was about antiarrhythmics not treating hypotension.

      Kind regards,
      Jeff

  6. Jenny Porter says

    For senario #2 question 1, I chose “start IV” and I was wrong; I wan thinking CAB, rather then ABC. Isn’t start IV is part of C?

    • Jeff with admin. says

      In this scenario, the pt. has bradycardia that is most likely related to hypoxia. The patient does have a weak carotid pulse. In this situation, the correct order of sequence would be:
      “assist breathing and give oxygen, monitor ECG & VS, establish IV access”
      This is because you want to treat the cause of the bradycardia which is hypoxia. This will in turn (hopefully) correct the bradycardia. After you are restoring oxygenation and ventilation you will monitor and start an IV. If the bradycardia is not corrected this will be see as you monitor and you will treat the bradycardia per the bradycardia protocol.
      Kind regards,
      Jeff

    • robdale62 says

      I dont agree with your assessment, we have a patient who is obviosly not perfusing, no BP,
      chest compressions would be the next intervetion, not airway, airway would be after this

      • Jeff with admin. says

        The patient has a carotid pulse and is showing signs of hypoxia. This should be treated with the bradycardia algorithm. I suppose that the outcome would probably be the same if you started with chest compressions, but the pulseless arrest algorithm is just that, the “pulseless” arrest algorithm. It is to be used on a patient has has established pulselessness.
        Kind regards,
        Jeff

  7. Laurie Stuart says

    On question # 10, I thought we already hung an Epi gtt. Why would the correct answer be give Epi 1mg then?
    Thanks much,
    Laurie
    ps – love your site. Worth every cent and will recommend.

    • Jeff with admin. says

      The rhythm changed and therefore you should move to the appropriate algorithm which would be the pulseless arrest algorithm.

      The per minute dose of an epinephrine drip in this situation would be insignificant for treatment using the pulseless arrest algorithm. The 1 mg dose of epinephrine should be given.

      Leaving the epi drip infusing or stopping it would not change treatment, and either stopping it or leaving it would be ok. His make sure to give the 1mg dose of epinephrine.

      Kind regards,
      Jeff

  8. Max says

    In scenario 2, question 4, why do u go to TCP before attempting dopamineor epi? I dont get what are indication of going straight to TCP, i thought algorithm states go to TCP when meds fail…all three…then TCP, not TCP right away after only one dose of atropine. Thankyou

    • Jeff with admin. says

      If electrical pacing is available, you can move directly it. Dopamine or epi are considered effective alternatives to electrical pacing, but electrical pacing is recommended if it is available. The only medication that has to fail to move to pacing is atropine.
      Kind regards,
      Jeff

  9. Kristy says

    What’s a “clear sign of poor perfusion”? It just sounds a bit ambiguous. Megacode scenerio #2,
    Question #3. Thanks.

  10. Jenny says

    In the 2010 ACLS book, it states that “there is no evidence to support continued prophylactic administration of antiarrhythmic medications once the patient achieves ROSC”. So, why was the the last question about continuing a maintenance dose of antiarrhythmics? It made me think it was out of date, but I could be wrong…

    • Jeff with admin. says

      The main reason would be that the patient converted after the use of amiodarone. It has been common practice to begin an infusion of the medication that help in the conversion of the rhythm out of VT/VF to a perfusing rhythm.
      Recently I have been discussing the use of amiodarone infusions in the post arrest phase with several colleagues. Due to the vague nature of a statement in the AHA ACLS provider manual, we have not been able to fully understand the AHA position. The statement from the AHA ACLS provider manual can be found on page 77 at the bottom of the page. It states: “There is no evidence to support continued prophylactic administration of antiarrhythmic medications once the patient achieves ROSC.” There is no other information in the book about the subject so we are left to deduce what this means.
      Some interpret this to mean: “if amiodarone was not used prior to ROSC then its prophylactic use as an infusion is not necessary, but it was used to achieve ROSC then it may be used as an infusion.”
      Others interpret this to mean: “amiodarone infusion in the post arrest phase is not necessary at all in the post arrest phase.”
      In am becoming more inclined to believe that the latter is correct.
      At this time on the site, I have included it’s post-arrest use if it was used to bring about ROSC. I do not think that you will see such a detailed question during certification, but it would be nice if AHA clarified on this statement.
      I will adjust the site accordingly as I gain more information.
      Kind regards,
      Jeff

  11. Justin says

    Just wondering why for in scenario 2, after i get my 300mg of amiodarone, it asks what i would consider next. the correct answer was continue CPR and give 150mg of amiodarone, however i would get a pressor like epi, or vasopressin before i gave another dose of amiodarone. Can you help me understand this?

    Great site =)
    Justin

    • Jeff with admin. says

      The question reads: “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 step?”

      The correct answer was A and C which were consider giving 150mg of Amiodarone and give a shock.

      If you look at the algorithm this is the next step in the flowchart. Once epinephrine is given it is essentially on its own time table of give every 3-5 minutes.
      Kind regards,
      Jeff

  12. rhaws says

    Dear Admin,
    This was money well spent. I have actually just passed part I, but didn’t feel I would be ready for the megacode. Your excellent package is just the right thing. I especially liked the quick run through about what’s new. In my feedback to the AHA I told them they need to do a better job with that. Thanks!

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