Written By: Caleb Dusdal Peer Review: Thomsen D'hont

https://thegenerehlist.ca/2020/11/01/episode-two-acls-part-i/www.thegenerehlist.ca

1. Keep up to date with ACLS recommendations

2. Know how to recognize and defibrillate a patient with Ventricular Fibrillation, or ventricular tachycardia that is either pulseless or symptomatic.

3. Be able to diagnose worrysome arrhythmias such as: a. Ventricular tachycardia b. Ventricular fibrillation c. Supraventricular tachycardia d. Atrial fibrillation e. Second and third-degree heart block

4. Know when to suspect a few specific causes of arrhythmias, even before confirmatory testing. a. Hyperkalemia b. Digoxin toxicity c. Cocaine intoxication

5. Know how and when to ensure adequate ventilation and secure the airway in a timely manner

6. In patients who do require resuscitation, you want to be able to assess the context to help decide when stopping resuscitation is the most appropriate decision.

7. Patients who arrest or are at risk of arresting, with serious medical problems or end stage disease, you need to know how and when to discuss code status and making end-of-life decisions

8. Ensure you attend to the family members as well, both during and after resuscitation the patient. Eg. Counselling availability, whether or not they are present in the code, etc.

9. In paediatric resuscitation, know what resources you can use to determine the correct drug dosing and tube sizes. As well as how to use these.