BLS / ACLS flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Adult out-of-hospital Chain of Survival

The sequence for adults with suspected cardiac arrest is recognition and activation, CPR, defibrillation, advanced resuscitation, post-arrest care, and recovery.

Agonal gasps in cardiac arrest

Agonal gasps are irregular, gasping breaths that may occur after cardiac arrest and are not normal breathing; unresponsiveness with agonal gasps requires CPR.

Pulse and breathing check

In an unresponsive adult, check breathing and pulse simultaneously for no more than 10 seconds before starting CPR if absent.

Adult compression depth and rate

Adult chest compressions are delivered at 100 to 120 per minute with a depth of at least 5 cm but no more than 6 cm.

Infant compression depth

Infant compressions depress the chest at least one-third of the anteroposterior diameter, about 4 cm or 1.5 inches.

Pediatric CPR compression-to-ventilation ratio

For children and infants, a single rescuer uses 30 compressions to 2 breaths; two rescuers use 15 compressions to 2 breaths.

Chest recoil during CPR

Full chest recoil after each compression allows venous return; leaning on the chest between compressions reduces filling and cardiac output.

Adult rescue breathing rate

For an adult with a pulse but no normal breathing, give one breath every 6 seconds, which equals 10 breaths per minute.

Pediatric rescue breathing rate

For an infant or child with a pulse but no normal breathing, give one breath every 2 to 3 seconds, or 20 to 30 breaths per minute.

Excessive ventilation harms CPR

Too much ventilation raises intrathoracic pressure, lowers venous return, and reduces cardiac output; each breath should produce visible chest rise and last about 1 second.

AED pad placement adult

Place one AED pad on the right upper chest and the other on the left lateral chest below the axilla, on bare dry skin.

Post-shock AED action

After an AED delivers a shock, resume chest compressions immediately rather than checking rhythm or pulse first.

Pediatric AED attenuator

Use pediatric AED pads or an attenuator for children under 8 years or under 25 kg; if unavailable, use adult pads.

Shockable arrest rhythms

Ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia are shockable rhythms; asystole and pulseless electrical activity are not shockable.

Synchronized cardioversion use

Synchronized cardioversion is used for unstable tachyarrhythmias with a pulse, such as unstable supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, or ventricular tachycardia with a pulse.

Adenosine for stable SVT

Adenosine 6 mg is given by rapid IV push for stable supraventricular tachycardia; if no effect, a 12 mg dose may be given.

Atropine for symptomatic bradycardia

Atropine 1 mg IV every 3 to 5 minutes is given for symptomatic bradycardia, with a maximum total dose of 3 mg.

Adult arrest epinephrine dose

Epinephrine 1 mg IV or IO is given every 3 to 5 minutes during adult cardiac arrest, regardless of the initial rhythm.

Pediatric arrest epinephrine dose

Pediatric cardiac arrest epinephrine is 0.01 mg/kg IV or IO every 3 to 5 minutes, with a maximum single dose of 1 mg.

Amiodarone for VF pulseless VT

For adult refractory ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia, amiodarone is 300 mg IV bolus, followed by a 150 mg dose.

IO access in arrest

Intraosseous access is used when IV access cannot be established promptly; resuscitation drugs and fluids can be given by the IO route.

Closed-loop communication

The team leader gives a clear order, the receiver repeats it back, and the team member reports when the task is complete.

Post-event debriefing

A brief team review after resuscitation identifies what worked, what failed, and specific changes for future performance.

SBAR handoff

SBAR communicates situation, background, assessment, and recommendation, giving a structured handoff during resuscitation or transitions of care.

Post-arrest oxygen target

After return of spontaneous circulation, titrate oxygen to an SpO2 of 92% to 98% and avoid prolonged hyperoxia.

Post-arrest carbon dioxide target

After return of spontaneous circulation, target a PaCO2 of 35 to 45 mm Hg and avoid severe hyperventilation or hypoventilation.

Targeted temperature management

Comatose survivors of cardiac arrest receive targeted temperature management at 32 to 37.5 degrees Celsius, with active prevention of fever.

Aspirin in suspected ACS

Chewed aspirin 162 to 325 mg is given early for suspected acute coronary syndrome unless allergy or true contraindication exists.

Door-to-balloon time STEMI

For STEMI at a percutaneous coronary intervention center, the goal is reperfusion with door-to-balloon time of 90 minutes or less.

Nitroglycerin contraindications

Avoid nitroglycerin when systolic blood pressure is below 90 mm Hg or when a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor was taken recently.

Stroke thrombolysis window

Intravenous thrombolysis is considered within 3 to 4.5 hours of last known well for eligible patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Stroke blood pressure before thrombolysis

Before intravenous thrombolysis for stroke, blood pressure must be below 185/110 mm Hg; after treatment it is kept below 180/105 mm Hg.