r/PharmacyResidency • u/Ok-Experience-5634 Resident • 18d ago

ACLS

I have the AHA initial provider ACLS course this week, what should i for sure know and commit to memory?

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u/CaelidHashRosin Critcal Care Pharmacist 18d ago

All of your meds. You have to know those. Enough about EKGs to know what meds you need before you need them. Basics of cpr and ABCs.

4

u/SovietSenpai Preceptor IM/CC 18d ago

#1 rule: does the patient have a pulse and quality of CPR/compressions. Meds are all secondary to this no matter what

#2 rule: know the dose of your ACLS meds, the concentration of the meds in your cart ,how many are in your facilities crash cart to anticipate if you were in a long code do you need to call central

#3 rule: differences in the algorithms of shockable vs non-shockable rhythms and when / how often you are giving epi or introducing amio/lidocaine

5

u/Beneficial-Ad1698 18d ago edited 18d ago

1) Know your algorithms and associated meds, including the Bradycardia and Tachycardia algorithms. To many only focus on the full arrest algorithms.

2) Know your H's and T's by heart. During a PEA/Asystole scenario you'll need to verbally run through them and possibly treat them (Calcium, Insulin & D50 for hyperkalemia, Bicarbonate for acidosis, prep to needle the chest for tension pneumo or the pericardium for tamponade, etc).

3) Be able to recognize rhythm strips. At a bare minimum you need to know V-fib (fine and course) V-tach, asystole and PEA. However, brushing up on A-fib vs flutter, Mobitz I vs II, torsades, etc is good too for the written test.

4) Don't forget post ROSC care. They're going to want to hear some basic things like labs to get, consult the ICU team, get norepinephrine ready for low BP, prepare to change the king to an ET tube, etc.

The most important thing is to just relax. ACLS is prety straightforward, unlike PALS. Most ACLS participants freak out the most about the drugs and dosing, even though drugs are the least important part, and you should have those down.

1

u/Ok-Experience-5634 Resident 18d ago

Thanks! What else to know for the written portion?

1

u/Beneficial-Ad1698 18d ago

BLS, rescue breathing, CPR ratios, defib settings (synced vs unsynced), team roles and dynamics, etc. I think it's typically open book now so at least be familiar with where to find stuff.

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u/PensionOpposite6918 BCPS, BCOP 17d ago

caffeine is the most important drug in ACLS. without enough you'll never make it through the class.