• Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Review
    Jul 28 2025

    Performing good CPR and delivering a shock as soon as possible to a patient in Ventricular Fibrillation or pulseless V-Tach are the two most critical interventions that have been shown to increase survival from sudden cardiac arrest.

    Studies have demonstrated significantly better out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival outcomes in communities with robust public CPR training and public access/first responder AEDs.

    The general use of AED including: indications for use; attaching the AED pads; following verbal prompts; and safely administering a shock.

    Following the Adult Cardiac Arrest algorithm while using an AED.

    Contraindications to AED use.

    General safety considerations to remember.

    Good luck with your ACLS class!


    Links:

    Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor

    Practice ECG rhythms at Dialed Medics - https://dialedmedics.com/

    Free Prescription Discount Card - Download your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip

    Pass ACLS Web Site - Episode archives & other ACLS-related podcasts: https://passacls.com

    @Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

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    6 mins
  • Asystole & Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA) Algorithm
    Jul 25 2025

    For apneic patients without a carotid pulse or patients with only gasping/agonal respirations, we will follow the Adult Cardiac Arrest algorithm.

    For pulseless patients that the AED doesn't advise a shock, the patient's ECG shows asystole, or a non-perfusing organized rhythm (PEA), we will follow the right side of the Adult Cardiac Arrest algorithm.

    Initial steps are aimed at delivery of high-quality CPR to keep the brain and vital organs alive.

    Epinephrine administration.

    Placement of an advanced airway.

    Considering possible reversible H & T causes of cardiac arrest including three common causes of PEA and their emergent interventions.

    When we should discontinue resuscitation efforts and call the code.

    Good luck with your ACLS class!


    Links:

    Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor

    Practice ECG rhythms at Dialed Medics - https://dialedmedics.com/

    Free Prescription Discount Card - Download your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip

    Pass ACLS Web Site - Episode archives & other ACLS-related podcasts: https://passacls.com

    @Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

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    7 mins
  • CPR Songs
    Jul 24 2025

    Providing good, high-quality CPR with minimal interruptions and early defibrillation are two key interventions shown to improved cardiac arrest outcomes.

    A training tool used in many CPR and ACLS classes is to use a song (or a song list) with a tempo of 100 to 120 beats per minute to help the person doing chest compressions maintain an adequate rate.

    Characteristics of songs that will help us perform good CPR.

    Advantages & disadvantages of using a song during CPR.

    Selected songs from various genres and time periods from AHA's "Don’t Drop The Beat" playlist on Spotify.

    Good luck with your ACLS class!


    Links:

    Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor

    Practice ECG rhythms at Dialed Medics - https://dialedmedics.com/

    Free Prescription Discount Card - Download your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip

    Pass ACLS Web Site - Episode archives & other ACLS-related podcasts: https://passacls.com

    @Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

    AHA's "Don’t Drop The Beat" playlist on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2mU2FNAhSOtQwW0hBgQMaK

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    4 mins
  • Obtaining a Medical History
    Jul 23 2025

    A patient’s medical history will help us identify things that may be causing (or contributing) to their current condition as well as guide our decisions so we provide the safest evidence-based care possible.

    Examples of information obtained in a medical history that will impact the treatment we provide.

    There are several mnemonics and memory aids that people use to guide their history taking.

    Review the SAMPLE-PQRST medical history format.

    Good luck with your ACLS class!


    Links:

    Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor

    Practice ECG rhythms at Dialed Medics - https://dialedmedics.com/

    Free Prescription Discount Card - Download your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip

    Pass ACLS Web Site - Episode archives & other ACLS-related podcasts: https://passacls.com

    @Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

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    5 mins
  • Antiarrhythmics: Magnesium and Procainamide
    Jul 22 2025

    Although magnesium can be used in the treatment of other medical conditions such as eclampsia, asthma, & digitalis toxicity; for ACLS, magnesium is primarily used to treat Torsades de Pointes.

    Identification of Torsades on the ECG.

    Administration of a magnesium infusion for stable patients vs slow IV push for patients in cardiac arrest.

    Procainamide use for stable patients with a monomorphic wide-complex tachycardia.

    Procainamide dosing and when to stop the infusion.

    Tip for determining whether magnesium or Procainamide should be used when treating stable patients with V-Tach.

    Good luck with your ACLS class!


    Links:

    Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor

    Practice ECG rhythms at Dialed Medics - https://dialedmedics.com/

    Free Prescription Discount Card - Download your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip

    Pass ACLS Web Site - Episode archives & other ACLS-related podcasts: https://passacls.com

    @Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

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    5 mins
  • Hypovolemia as a H&T Cause of Cardiac Arrest
    Jul 21 2025

    When a patient loses excessive amounts of fluids, we say that they are in a state of hypovolemia.

    The most obvious cause of hypovolemia is from bleeding.

    Bleeding can be internal or external and caused by trauma, pathology, or iatrogenic.

    Classic signs & symptoms of hypovolemic shock.

    Volume replacement with crystalloids vs blood.

    Good luck with your ACLS class!


    Links:

    Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor

    Practice ECG rhythms at Dialed Medics - https://dialedmedics.com/

    Free Prescription Discount Card - Download your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip

    Pass ACLS Web Site - Episode archives & other ACLS-related podcasts: https://passacls.com

    @Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

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    4 mins
  • Medication Review: Morphine
    Jul 18 2025

    MONA is the acronym sometimes used to help us remember the interventions to consider for patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

    Morphine's use in the Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) algorithm.

    Why Morphine is helpful for patients with ACS.

    Contraindications and considerations for the safe administration of Morphine.

    Morphine as an alternative to nitro for patients with chest pain that take PDE inhibitors.

    Common dosing & administration of Morphine.

    Monitoring of the patient's level of consciousness, pain, blood pressure, and respirations after administration.

    Possible side effects of Morphine administration.

    Narcan as an antidote to Morphine if needed.

    Good luck with your ACLS class!


    Links:

    Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor

    Practice ECG rhythms at Dialed Medics - https://dialedmedics.com/

    Free Prescription Discount Card - Download your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip

    Pass ACLS Web Site - Episode archives & other ACLS-related podcasts: https://passacls.com

    @Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

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    5 mins
  • Maintaining a Chest Compression Fraction (CCF) Above 80%
    Jul 17 2025

    Even good CPR is far less efficient at circulating blood than a functioning heart.

    The indicators of high-quality CPR that were identified at the 2012 AHA CPR Quality

    Summit in order of importance include:

    • Chest compression fraction (CCF);
    • Chest compression rate;
    • Chest compression depth;
    • Allowing for full recoil; and
    • Adequate ventilations.

    Using real-time feedback devices and ETCO2 to assess CPR quality.

    Three tips to limit pauses in CPR compressions to 10 seconds or less.

    Good luck with your ACLS class!


    Links:

    Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor

    Practice ECG rhythms at Dialed Medics - https://dialedmedics.com/

    Free Prescription Discount Card - Download your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip

    Pass ACLS Web Site - Episode archives & other ACLS-related podcasts: https://passacls.com

    @Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

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    6 mins