Advanced Life Support Patient Care Standards Version 5.4 - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering medical directives, medication dosages, pediatric normal values, indications, contraindications, and clinical standards from the ALS PCS Version 5.4.

Pediatric Emergency Tape

An up-to-date, widely accepted RBHP-approved pediatric emergency tape (e.g., Broselow Tape) used as an acceptable alternative to determine pediatric medication doses based on patient length/weight.

Adult Normotension

Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) $≥ 100\,mmHg$ in adult patients.

Adult Hypotension

Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) $< 90\,mmHg$ in adult patients.

Adult Bradycardia

Heart rate $< 50\,BPM$ as measured by a cardiac monitor or pulse rate.

Adult Tachycardia

Heart rate $≥ 100\,BPM$ as measured by a cardiac monitor or pulse rate.

Adult Tachypnea

Respiratory rate $≥ 28\,breaths/min$ in adult patients.

Pediatric Normotension Formula

$$SBP \u2265 90\,mmHg + (2 \times \text{age in years})$$

Pediatric Hypotension Formula

$$SBP < 70\,mmHg + (2 \times \text{age in years})$$

Pediatric Weight Estimation Formula

$$\text{Weight (kg)} = (\text{age in years} \times 2) + 10$$

Pediatric Hypoglycemia Thresholds

Blood glucose level $< 3.0\,mmol/L$ for age $< 2\,years$; blood glucose level $< 4.0\,mmol/L$ for age $\u2265 2\,years$.

Altered Level of Awareness (LOA)

A Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score that is less than normal for the patient.

Unaltered Level of Awareness (LOA)

A Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score that is normal for the patient, which may be a GCS $< 15$.

Supraglottic Airway Indications

Need for ventilatory assistance or airway control AND other airway management is ineffective.

Supraglottic Airway Contraindications

Airway obstructed by a foreign object, known esophageal disease (varices), trauma to the oropharynx, and caustic ingestion.

Supraglottic Airway Confirmation Methods

Primary method is ETCO2 (Waveform capnography). If waveform capnography is not available or working, at least 2 secondary methods (Non-waveform ETCO2 device, Auscultation, or Chest rise) must be used.

Bronchoconstriction Indications

Respiratory distress AND suspected bronchoconstriction.

Salbutamol Dosing (Weight < 25 kg)

MDI: Up to $600\,mcg$ (6 puffs, 1 puff = $100\,mcg$); Nebulized: $2.5\,mg$. Max single dose $600\,mcg$ (MDI) or $2.5\,mg$ (NEB), dosing interval 5-15 min PRN, max 3 doses.

Salbutamol Dosing (Weight ≥ 25 kg)

MDI: Up to $800\,mcg$ (8 puffs, 1 puff = $100\,mcg$); Nebulized: $5\,mg$. Max single dose $800\,mcg$ (MDI) or $5\,mg$ (NEB), dosing interval 5-15 min PRN, max 3 doses.

EPINEPHrine Dosing for Bronchoconstriction

Dose of $0.01\,mg/kg$ IM ($1\,mg/mL = 1:1,000$ concentration), max single dose $0.5\,mg$, max 1 dose. Indicated when BVM ventilation is required and there is a history of asthma.

Dexamethasone Dosing for Bronchoconstriction

Dose of $0.5\,mg/kg$ PO/IM/IV, max single dose $8\,mg$, max 1 dose. Indicated with a history of asthma, COPD, or 20 pack-year history of smoking.

Moderate to Severe Allergic Reaction Indications

Exposure to a probable allergen AND signs and/or symptoms of a moderate to severe allergic reaction (including anaphylaxis).

DiphenhydrAMINE Dosing (Allergic Reaction)

Weight $\u2265 25\,kg$ to $< 50\,kg$: $25\,mg$ IV/IM; Weight $\u2265 50\,kg$: $50\,mg$ IV/IM. Max 1 dose.

Croup Indications

Current history of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI) AND barking cough or recent history of a barking cough.

EPINEPHrine Dosing for Croup

Nebulized ($1\,mg/mL = 1:1,000$); Weight $< 10\,kg$: $2.5\,mg$; Weight $\u2265 10\,kg$: $5\,mg$. Max 1 dose. Conditions: Age $\u2265 6\,months$ to $< 8\,years$, HR $< 200\,bpm$, and stridor at rest.

Dexamethasone Dosing for Croup

Age $\u2265 6\,months$ to $< 8\,years$: $0.5\,mg/kg$ PO, max single dose $8\,mg$, max 1 dose. Indicated for mild, moderate, and severe croup with unaltered LOA.

ETT/Tracheostomy Suctioning Vacuum Pressures

Age $< 1\,year$: $60\text{--}100\,mmHg$; Age $\u2265 1\,year$ to $< 12\,years$: $100\text{--}120\,mmHg$; Age $\u2265 12\,years$: $100\text{--}150\,mmHg$. Maximum single dose duration is 10 seconds.

ASA Dosing (Cardiac Ischemia)

Dose of $160\text{--}162\,mg$ PO, max single dose $162\,mg$, max 1 dose. Indicated for age $\u2265 18\,years$, unaltered LOA, and able to chew and swallow.

Nitroglycerin Dosing (Cardiac Ischemia)

Dose of $0.3\,mg$ OR $0.4\,mg$ SL every 5 min. Max 6 doses if STEMI is No; Max 3 doses if STEMI is Yes. Indicated for age $\u2265 18\,years$, unaltered LOA, HR 60-159 bpm, SBP normotension, and prior history of nitroglycerin use OR IV access obtained.

Right Ventricular MI Nitroglycerin Contraindication

Nitroglycerin is contraindicated if the 12-lead ECG is compatible with Right Ventricular MI (ST-elevation $\u2265 1\,mm$ in V4R).

Nitroglycerin Dosing for Acute Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema

For SBP $\u2265 140\,mmHg$ with IV or Hx: $0.6\,mg$ or $0.8\,mg$ SL every 5 min up to max 6 doses. For SBP $\u2265 100\,mmHg$ to $< 140\,mmHg$: $0.3\,mg$ or $0.4\,mg$ SL every 5 min up to max 6 doses.

Dextrose Dosing (Hypoglycemia)

10% Dextrose: $0.2\,g/kg\,(2\,ml/kg)$ IV; 50% Dextrose: $0.5\,g/kg\,(1\,ml/kg)$ IV. Max single dose $25\,g$, dosing interval 10 min, max 2 doses. Indicated for age $\u2265 2\,years$ with altered LOA and hypoglycemia.

Glucagon Dosing (Hypoglycemia)

IM route: Weight $< 25\,kg$ is $0.5\,mg$, Weight $\u2265 25\,kg$ is $1\,mg$. IN route (powder, age $\u2265 4\,years$): $3\,mg$. Dosing interval 20 min, max 2 doses.

Acetaminophen Dosing (Analgesia)

Age $\u2265 12\,years$ to $< 18\,years$: $500\text{--}650\,mg$ PO (max single dose $650\,mg$); Age $\u2265 18\,years$: $960\text{--}1,000\,mg$ PO (max single dose $1,000\,mg$). Max 1 dose.

Ibuprofen Dosing (Analgesia)

Age $\u2265 12\,years$: $400\,mg$ PO, max single dose $400\,mg$, max 1 dose.

Ketorolac Dosing (Analgesia)

Age $\u2265 12\,years$: $10\text{--}15\,mg$ IM/IV, max single dose $15\,mg$, max 1 dose.

Ondansetron Dosing (Nausea/Vomiting)

Weight $\u2265 25\,kg$: $4\,mg$ PO/IV/IM, max single dose $4\,mg$, max 1 dose. Contraindicated in prolonged QT syndrome or apomorphine use.

DimenhyDRINATE Dosing (Nausea/Vomiting)

Weight $\u2265 25\,kg$ to $< 50\,kg$: $25\,mg$ IV/IM (max 1 dose); Weight $\u2265 50\,kg$: $25\,mg$ or $50\,mg$ IV/IM (dosing interval 30 min, max 2 doses, max cumulative dose $50\,mg$).