BLS / ACLS study plan

Sequence the links of both the out-of-hospital and in-hospital adult Chain of Survival and state the required action at each link.

Differentiate true cardiac arrest from syncope, seizure, and opioid overdose using a breathing and pulse check completed in 10 seconds or less.

Deliver adult chest compressions on a training manikin at 100-120/min, 5-6 cm depth, with full recoil and a compression fraction above 60%.

Describe hand placement, the 10-second maximum interruption rule, and compressor rotation every 2 minutes.

Perform child compressions (at least one-third AP chest depth) and infant compressions (4 cm, two fingers or two-thumb encircling) at the correct 30:2 single-rescuer and 15:2 two-rescuer ratios.

Deliver rescue breaths at 1 breath every 6 seconds for adults and 1 breath every 2-3 seconds for children and infants with visible chest rise and no gastric inflation.

Insert an oropharyngeal airway in a manikin and explain when a two-person bag-mask with the E-C clamp technique is preferred over a single-rescuer mask seal.

Justify compression-first (C-A-B) versus ventilation-first sequencing for asphyxial arrest, drowning, and suspected opioid overdose.

Operate an AED end-to-end: power on, apply pads, clear the patient, deliver a shock, and resume compressions within 10 seconds.

State adult pad placement, infant manual-defibrillator pad placement, and when to use a pediatric dose attenuator.

Classify 20 rhythm strips as shockable (VF, pulseless VT) or non-shockable (asystole, PEA).

Identify sinus bradycardia, high-grade AV block, and sinus tachycardia with a pulse, and distinguish when to defibrillate versus cardiovert versus pace.

Write the VF/pulseless VT, asystole/PEA, and symptomatic bradycardia algorithms from memory in correct step order.

State first-shock and subsequent-shock biphasic energy settings and the sync/cardioversion timing rule relative to the QRS.

Describe transcutaneous pacing setup for symptomatic bradycardia and confirm electrical and mechanical capture.

Explain why a non-shockable rhythm still requires immediate high-quality CPR and epinephrine rather than defibrillation.

State epinephrine dosing and 3-5 minute repeat interval, when amiodarone or lidocaine is given in refractory VF/VT, and the indications for atropine, adenosine, and naloxone.

Compare IV, IO, and endotracheal drug routes and describe intraosseous site selection plus flush and pressure technique.

Explain the change to continuous compressions with 1 breath every 6 seconds once an advanced airway is placed.

Interpret waveform capnography to confirm advanced airway placement and to track CPR quality.

Apply closed-loop communication, explicit role assignment, and constructive intervention during a simulated resuscitation.

Deliver a clear handoff using a structured format at transition of care and describe the purpose of a post-event hot debrief.

Explain how systems factors such as activation intervals, destination protocols, and data registries influence survival.

Coordinate an advanced airway attempt without interrupting compressions longer than 10 seconds.

Set post-ROSC oxygenation and ventilation targets (SpO2 90-98%, PaCO2 35-45 mmHg) and justify avoiding hyperoxia and hypocapnia.

Summarize the components of post-arrest care including hemodynamic support, neurologic assessment, and targeted temperature management.

Apply the acute coronary syndrome pathway: obtain a 12-lead within 10 minutes, give aspirin, screen nitroglycerin contraindications, and activate reperfusion for STEMI.

Apply the stroke pathway: perform a FAST screen, establish last known well time, check glucose, and state imaging and thrombolysis time targets.

Complete a 60-item timed mixed practice exam spanning all nine domains and score 85% or higher.

Re-teach every missed item by writing the correct answer, the rationale, and the underlying guideline principle.

Recite the adult cardiac arrest, bradycardia, tachycardia, and post-arrest algorithms in sequence from memory.

Build a one-page personal error log grouping weak items by domain and schedule two spaced review sessions before test day.