ACLS Advanced Cardiac Life Support Exam Graded A+

define cardiac arrest - Answer the cessation of cardiac mechanical activity as confirmed by the absence of signs of circulation describe the 4 steps of BLS - Answer 1. check responsiveness 2. activate Emergency response and get AED 3. circulation ( pulseless---> CPR) 4. defibrillation (if no pulse, check for shockable rhythym) T or F pulse oximetry is usually not reliable due to inadequate BF in peripheral tissue beds during ACLS - Answer T whats the normal PetCO2 ( end-tidal CO2) - Answer 35-40 mm Hg the PetCO2 will approach _____ during untreated cardiac arrest - Answer approaches 0 because there is no gas exchange how is a PetCO2 value useful during CPR? - Answer used to assess CO because as CO increases through effective CPR it yields higher PetCO2 as delivery of CO2 to the lungs increases ROSC - Answer return of spontaneous circulation persistently low PetCO2 values (<10 mm Hg ) during CPR in intubated patients suggests that ______ is unlikely - Answer ROSC... bad prognosis meanwhile... abrupt sustained increases in PetCO2 to normal values during CPR is an indicator of ROSC what are S/S of hypoxia - Answer cyanosis blood gases airway problems what visual way can you confirm hypovolemia? - Answer flat neck veins how do you treat hydrogen ion acidosis? - Answer sodium bicarb hyperventilation T or F vasopressors are not useful in improving survival in ACLS - Answer T - some evidence that they may improve ROSC and short-term survival what is the first-line medication for the treatment of cardiac arrest - Answer epinephrine MOA epinephrine - Answer stimulates alpha and beta receptors - vasoconstriction -increased BP -increase HR -improve perfusion pressure to brain and heart -efficacy thought to be thru alpha receptors T or F Beta effects of epinephrine may be harmful in cariac arrest - Answer T because it increases myocardial oxygen demand ( heart pump harder and faster) T or F there is no survival benefit of high dose vs low dose epi - Answer T rational behind vasopressin use in cardiac arrest - Answer none.... no advantage as a substitute or in combination with epinephrine selective alpha 1 vasopressor? - Answer phenylephrine is phenylephrine useful as a vasopressor? - Answer not really.. its only alpha 1 so lacking alpha 2 receptor effects so no long-term survival advantage over epinephrine