Treatment for cardiac arrest includes immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and, if a shockable rhythm is present, defibrillation. Among those who survive, targeted temperature management may improve outcomes. An implantable cardiac defibrillator may be placed to reduce the chance of death from recurrence.
What is the most important initial treatment for a patient's cardiac arrest?
The MOST important initial treatment for a patient whose cardiac arrest was witnessed is: A: high-quality CPR. B: cardiac drug therapy. C: rapid transport. D: defibrillation. A: high-quality CPR. Reason: Regardless of whether a patient's cardiac arrest is witnessed or unwitnessed, the single most important initial treatment is high-quality CPR.
What type of cardiac monitoring should be initiated after cardiac arrest?
Continuous cardiac monitoring, pulse oximetry, capnography and NIBP (non-invasive blood pressure) monitoring should be initiated. This provides critical information on tissue oxygenation and perfusion and helps guide further resuscitative care.
What is cardiac arrest?
Health Topics or. Cardiac arrest is the abrupt loss of heart function in a person who may or may not have been diagnosed with heart disease. It can come on suddenly, or in the wake of other symptoms. Cardiac arrest is often fatal, if appropriate steps aren’t taken immediately.
What kind of tests are given after cardiac arrest?
A test commonly given after cardiac arrest is an electrocardiogram (ECG). During an ECG, sensors (electrodes) that can detect the electrical activity of your heart are attached to your chest and sometimes to your limbs.
What is the first aid for cardiac arrest?
What to doEnsure scene safety.Check for response.Shout for help. Tell someone nearby to call 911 or your emergency response number. ... Check for no breathing or only gasping. If the person isn't breathing or is only gasping, begin CPR with compressions.Begin high quality CPR. ... Use an AED. ... Continue CPR.
Which is the most appropriate immediate action to take for a patient who is reported to have been in cardiopulmonary arrest for 5 minutes?
The current recommendation is to either attach a defibrillator as soon as possible, or after two minutes of chest compressions. If the AED recommends defibrillation, or if your interpretation of the manual defibrillator is to defibrillate, then immediately after the shock is delivered chest compressions are to resume.
What should you do after cardiac arrest?
CPR. Immediate CPR is crucial for treating sudden cardiac arrest. By maintaining a flow of oxygen-rich blood to the body's vital organs, CPR can provide a vital link until more-advanced emergency care is available. If you don't know CPR and someone collapses unconscious near you, call 911 or emergency medical help.
What drugs are given during CPR?
Understanding the drugs used during cardiac arrest responseAdrenaline. This is the first drug given in all causes of cardiac arrest and should be readily available in all clinical areas. ... Amiodarone. ... Lidocaine. ... Atropine. ... Additional drugs. ... Calcium chloride. ... Magnesium sulphate. ... Miscellaneous drugs.More items...•
What is the single most important therapy for survival of cardiac arrest?
CPR is key to survival of sudden cardiac arrest.
What is the correct first aid management of a casualty who has suffered a suspected cardiac arrest and is unresponsive and not breathing normally?
If someone has become unresponsive and they are not breathing normally, they could be in cardiac arrest and you need to act quickly. Call 999 or 112 for emergency help and start CPR, using a defibrillator if available.
How is cardiac arrest treated in hospital?
The first line of treatment is usually cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), during which another person compresses the chest to increase blood flow to the organs. CPR can temporarily treat cardiac arrest until more advanced emergency treatment is available to the person experiencing cardiac arrest.
Which of the following is a goal when initial treatment of MI begins?
The first goal for healthcare professionals in management of acute myocardial infarction (MI) is to diagnose the condition in a very rapid manner. As a general rule, initial therapy for acute MI is directed toward restoration of perfusion as soon as possible to salvage as much of the jeopardized myocardium as possible.
What is the first treatment priority after ROSC?
As soon as possible following ROSC, 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) should be performed to diagnose ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and an immediate coronary angiography arranged.
What are the first line emergency drugs?
First-line drugs Epinephrine also increases the likelihood of successful defibrillation. However, beta-adrenergic effects may be detrimental because they increase oxygen requirements (especially of the heart) and cause vasodilation.
A middle-aged woman took three of her prescribed nitroglycerin tablets after she began experiencing chest pain. She complains of a bad headache and is still experiencing chest pain. You should assume that: A: her nitroglycerin is no longer potent. B: her blood pressure is elevated. C: she has ongoing cardiac ischemia. D: her chest pain is not cardiac-related.
C: she has ongoing cardiac ischemia. Reason: A headache and/or a bitter taste under the tongue are common side effects of nitroglycerin (NTG) that...
Which of the following statements regarding the automated external defibrillator (AED) is correct? A: AEDs will analyze the patient’s rhythm while CPR is in progress B: AEDs can safely be used in infants and children less than 8 years of age C: The AED should be applied to patients at risk for cardiac arrest D: The AED should not be used in patients with an implanted defibrillator
B: AEDs can safely be used in infants and children less than 8 years of age Reason: According to the 2010 guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiac...
A middle-aged female with a history of hypertension and high cholesterol complains of chest discomfort. She asks you to take her to the hospital where her personal physician practices, which is 15 miles away. Her blood pressure is 130/70 mm Hg, pulse is 84 beats/min and regular, and respirations are 18 breaths/min and unlabored. Which of the following actions is clearly NOT appropriate for this patient? A: Taking her to her choice hospital B: Allowing her to walk to the ambulance C: Giving oxygen via nasal cannula D: Contacting her physician via phone
B: Allowing her to walk to the ambulance Reason: You should NEVER allow a patient with a possible cardiac problem to walk to the ambulance. This c...
Aspirin is beneficial to patients experiencing an acute coronary syndrome because it: A: prevents a clot from getting larger. B: effectively relieves their chest pain. C: decreases cardiac workload by lowering the BP. D: destroys the clot that is blocking a coronary artery.
A: prevents a clot from getting larger. Reason: Early administration of baby aspirin (160 to 325 mg) to patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS)...
In addition to chest pain or discomfort, a patient experiencing an acute coronary syndrome would MOST likely present with: A: profound cyanosis, dry skin, and a headache. B: severe projectile vomiting and flushed skin. C: ashen skin color, diaphoresis, and anxiety. D: irregular breathing and low blood pressure.
C: ashen skin color, diaphoresis, and anxiety. Reason: Chest pain, pressure, or discomfort is the most common symptom of acute coronary syndrome, o...
You are assessing a 70-year-old male who complains of pain in both of his legs. He is conscious and alert, has a blood pressure of 160/90 mm Hg, a pulse rate of 110 beats/min, and respirations of 14 breaths/min and unlabored. Further assessment reveals edema to both of his feet and legs and jugular venous distention. This patient's primary problem is MOST likely: A: chronic hypertension. B: left heart failure. C: pulmonary edema. D: right heart failure.
D: right heart failure. Reason: If the right side of the heart is damaged, fluid collects in the body (edema), often showing in the feet and legs....
Which of the following questions would be the MOST effective in determining if a patient's chest pain radiates away from his or her chest? A: Do you also have pain in your arm, jaw, or back? B: Does the pain stay in your chest or move anywhere else? C: Is there any other part of your body where you have pain? D: Is there anything that makes the pain better or worse?
B: Does the pain stay in your chest or move anywhere else? Reason: When assessing a patient with any type of pain, you should avoid asking leading...
A 60-year-old man is in cardiac arrest. You begin CPR while your partner applies the AED. What should you do if you receive a no shock message? A: Assess for a carotid pulse for up to 10 seconds. B: Reanalyze his cardiac rhythm after 30 seconds of CPR. C: Resume CPR, starting with chest compressions. D: Ensure that the AED electrodes are properly applied.
C: Resume CPR, starting with chest compressions Reason: If the AED gives a no shock advised message, you should immediately resume CPR, starting wi...
The MOST important initial treatment for a patient whose cardiac arrest was witnessed is: A: high-quality CPR. B: cardiac drug therapy. C: rapid transport. D: defibrillation.
A: high-quality CPR. Reason: Regardless of whether a patient's cardiac arrest is witnessed or unwitnessed, the single most important initial treatm...
What to do after restoring pulse in cardiac arrest?
After restoring a pulse in a cardiac arrest patient, you begin immediate transport. While en route to the hospital, the patient goes back into cardiac arrest. You should. tell your partner to stop the ambulance. After administering nitroglycerin to a patient with chest discomfort, it is MOST important for you to.
When assessing a man who is complaining of chest pain, he suddenly becomes unresponsive?
You should: assess for breathing. When treating a patient with chest pain, pressure, or discomfort, you should first: place the patient in a position of comfort. Freshly oxygenated blood returns to the heart via the:
What does it mean when you give a woman a shock with an AED?
apply supplemental oxygen. After delivering one shock with the AED and performing 2 minutes of CPR on a woman in cardiac arrest, you reanalyze her cardiac rhythm and receive a no shock advised message. This means that: she is not in a shockable rhythm.
How often should you switch compressors during CPR?
Switching compressors during two-rescuer CPR: should occur every 2 minutes throughout the arrest. When performing two-rescuer CPR on an adult patient whose airway has not been secured with an advanced device, you should: have your partner pause after 30 compressions as you give 2 breaths.
What is the wall that separates the left and right sides of the heart called?
obtain a set of vital signs. The wall that separates the left and right sides of the heart is called the: septum. Ischemic heart disease is a condition in which: there is a decrease in blood flow to one or more portions of the heart muscle. A 60-year-old man presents with chest pain and difficulty breathing.
What to do if you are alone with an adult who has cardiac arrest?
Check for no breathing or only gasping. If the person isn’t breathing or is only gasping, begin CPR with compressions. Begin high quality CPR.
What does it mean when a person doesn't respond to a tap?
Sudden loss of responsiveness – The person doesn’t respond, even if you tap them hard on the shoulders or ask loudly if they're OK. The person doesn’t move, speak, blink or otherwise react. No normal breathing – The person isn’t breathing or is only gasping for air.
What is the treatment for cardiac arrest?
Treatments might include: Drugs. Doctors use various anti-arrhythmic drugs for emergency or long-term treatment of arrhythmias or potential arrhythmia complications.
What is the best medication for sudden cardiac arrest?
A class of medications called beta blockers is commonly used in people at risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Other possible drugs that can be used to treat the condition that led to the arrhythmia include angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and calcium channel blockers. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).
How does a catheter tip work?
They're positioned along electrical pathways identified by your doctor as causing your arrhythmia. Electrodes at the catheter tips are heated with radiofrequency energy. This destroys a small spot of heart tissue and creates an electrical block along the pathway that's causing your arrhythmia to stop your arrhythmia.
What is the importance of CPR?
Immediate CPR is crucial for treating sudden cardiac arrest. By maintaining a flow of oxygen-rich blood to the body's vital organs, CPR can provide a vital link until more-advanced emergency care is available. If you don't know CPR and someone collapses unconscious near you, call 911 or emergency medical help.
What is the procedure called when you have ventricular fibrillation?
The procedure, called defibrillation, momentarily stops the heart and the chaotic rhythm.
What to do if you survive sudden cardiac arrest?
If you survive sudden cardiac arrest, your doctor will try to learn what caused it to help prevent future episodes. Tests your doctor may recommend include:
What is the ejection fraction of a heart?
Ejection fraction refers to the percentage of blood that's pumped out of a filled ventricle with each heartbeat. A normal ejection fraction is 50% to 70%. An ejection fraction of less than 40% increases your risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Nuclear scan.