ACLS Principles Flashcard 1

C. Rationale: Chest recoil causes negative intrathoracic pressure. This induces venous return, which increases cardiopulmonary blood flow.

D. Rationale: Esophageal rupture is not included in the ACLS course. The ACLS course showcases nine clinical conditions which are termed as CASES in its provider manual. These clinical conditions include the following:
●Respiratory Arrest
●Acute Coronary Syndrome
●Acute Stroke
●VF/Pulseless VT
●Asystole
●Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)
●Bradycardia
●Tachycardia (Stable and Unstable)
●Immediate Post-Cardiac Arrest Care
(ACLS CASES)

A. Rationale: The ACLS course showcases nine clinical conditions which are termed as CASES in the ACLS provider manual. These clinical conditions include the following:
●Respiratory Arrest
●Acute Coronary Syndrome
●Acute Stroke
●VF/Pulseless VT
●Asystole
●Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)
●Bradycardia
●Tachycardia (Stable and Unstable)
●Immediate Post-Cardiac Arrest Care (ACLS Cases)

A. Rationale: Studies have shown an increase in ROSC, survival to hospital discharge, and improved neurologic outcome if epinephrine was given between 1 to 3 minutes after the onset of cardiac arrest compared to later in the resuscitation. (ACLS Case: Cardiac Arrest: Box 6 Epinephrine and Consideration of Advanced Airway)

C. Rationale: This patient is in cardiac arrest with pulseless electrical activity. Hypovolemia is a common cause of PEA. Internal hemorrhaging may be due to a ruptured spleen after blunt trauma from the fight. The emergency response team leader must consider a volume infusion in this case for PEA associated with narrow complex tachycardia.

A. Rationale: Identification of the underlying cause of cardiac arrest guides the provider in the proper treatment or rhythm-based management to the patient. In this instance, the patient is in ventricular fibrillation. In ventricular fibrillation, the heart rate is very fast with an irregular rhythm. The QRS complex is not distinguishable, and the P waves are likewise absent. (ACLS Case: Cardiac Arrest: Dynamic rhythm of ventricular fibrillation)

A. Rationale: Identification of the underlying cause of cardiac arrest guides the provider on the proper treatment or rhythm-based management. In this instance, the patient is in ventricular fibrillation; the heart rate is very fast with an irregular rhythm. The QRS complex is not distinguishable, and the P waves are likewise absent.

C. Rationale: Calcium chloride stabilizes the myocardial cell membrane from severe hyperkalemia. Other adjuvant therapies include nebulized albuterol, sodium bicarbonate, and glucose plus insulin, which shift potassium into cells. Furosemide and kayexalate promote potassium excretion.

D. Rationale: Cardiac tamponade and massive pulmonary embolism cannot be treated unless it is immediately diagnosed. In the hands of a skilled sonographer, bedside ultrasound can aid in the identification of cardiac tamponade and pulmonary embolism.

A. Rationale: There are no P waves and distinct QRS complexes in ventricular fibrillation. This is due to a disorganized activity of impulses in the ventricles where myocytes depolarize and repolarize in a chaotic manner, impeding cardiac output. The electrocardiogram will show fluctuations in voltage tracings and can be described as coarse with early-onset VF or fine if VF has been going on for an extended period. If left untreated, VF will convert to asystole.