Prerequisites

Before taking the PALS course, the student:

• Must know the basic pharmacology of the drugs used in cardiac arrest, including: 
  • Mechanism of action.
  • Indications and contraindications.
  • Recommended dosages.
  • Appropriate route of administration.
  • Possible drug interactions.
  • Use of a color-coded, length-based resuscitation tape to calculate the correct drug doses.

• Must be able to perform proper airway management, including:
  • Insertion of an oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway.
  • Effective bag-mask ventilation.
  • Suctioning techniques for supraglottic airways and endotracheal tubes.
  • Confirmation of the correct placement of an advanced airway.
  • Securing of an endotracheal tube.

• Must be able to diagnose the common arrhythmias that may lead to cardiac arrest and perform the appropriate corresponding electrical therapies, including:
  • Correct placement of the ECG leads.
  • The correct electrode or paddle placement for electrical therapies.
  • Identification of rhythms that may require defibrillation.
  • Identification of rhythms that may require synchronized cardioversion.
  • Safe operation of a manual defibrillator.
  • Operation of a cardiac monitor/12-lead ECG.

• Must know how to gain intravenous (IV) and intraosseous (IO) access, including:
  • Identification of the anatomic landmarks for IV and IO access.
  • Use of an intraosseous needle or drill for IO insertion.
  • Confirmation of good vascular access from either route.

Related Video: PALS Systematic Approach