ACC exam ll

C - Circulation

Most important step in CPR, with a compression rate of 100-120 per minute and a depth of greater than 2 inches.

Airway

First job in CPR; establish an airway using oral or nasal methods and BVM while maintaining compressions.

Breathing

Avoid excessive ventilation; deliver one breath every 6 seconds to prevent hyperventilation.

Quality CPR

Consistent compressions at 100-120 bpm, depth over 2 inches, full chest recoil, and minimal interruptions.

H's and T's

Reversible causes in cardiac arrest; include hypovolemia, hypoxia, hydrogen ion (acidosis), hypokalemia, hypothermia, tablets (OD), tension pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade, thrombosis.

Defibrillation

An unsynchronized electrical shock delivered to depolarize all ventricular cells to restore a perfusing rhythm.

Cardioversion

A synchronized electrical shock delivered on the R wave to treat unstable tachyarrhythmias.

Biphasic Defibrillation

Sends electrical shocks in two directions, requiring lower energy (120-200 joules) and less risk of injury.

AED

Automated External Defibrillator; voice prompted device that analyzes heart rhythm and indicates shock necessity.

Pacing

Administering electrical impulses to the heart to maintain heart rate, used in bradycardia or heart blocks.

End-Tidal CO₂ (ETCO₂)

Measures CO₂ at the end of exhalation; low levels indicate poor perfusion or ineffective compressions.

IV Route

Intravenous route for ACLS medications, fastest for delivering drugs.

IO Route

Intraosseous route; delivers medications directly into the bone marrow, used when IV is not available.

ETT Route

Endotracheal administration of medications, higher doses needed due to inconsistent absorption.

Epinephrine

Primary vasopressor used in cardiac arrest, administered at a dose of 1 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes.

Amiodarone

Antiarrhythmic medication for refractory VF/pulseless VT; first dose of 300 mg IV/IO.

Adenosine

Used to terminate SVT; administered as a rapid IV push with doses of 6 mg followed by 12 mg if needed.

Atropine

First-line drug for symptomatic bradycardia, given at a dose of 1 mg IV bolus every 3-5 minutes.

Ventricular Fibrillation (VF)

Chaotic electrical activity in the heart with no effective circulation, requiring immediate defibrillation.

Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)

Presence of electrical activity on an EKG without a palpable pulse; requires immediate CPR and epinephrine.

Asystole

Complete absence of electrical activity in the heart, confirmed by two leads and treated with CPR and epinephrine.

Symptomatic Bradycardia

Heart rate below 60 bpm with signs of poor perfusion; treated initially with atropine.

SVT - Supraventricular Tachycardia

Narrow complex tachycardia; requires assessment for stability and potential vagal maneuvers or adenosine.

STEMI

ST-elevation myocardial infarction; diagnosed by ST elevation on ECG, requiring timely intervention.

BEFAST

Mnemonic for stroke recognition: Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time.

NAVAL Mnemonic

Historical mnemonic for drugs potentially delivered via ETT: Naloxone, Atropine, Vasopressin, Epinephrine, Lidocaine.