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Updated Nov 25, 2022
Dynamic Cardiology Cheat Sheet
Cardiology and Resuscitation

One might assume you could take what you’re proficient at with static cardiology and walk into dynamic cardiology and be good to go. Wrong. Remember the AED station during your EMT practicals? The proctors want to see that you’re capable of operating your monitor and can treat cardiac patients who are going in and out of ACLS-related arrhythmias. 

Attacking these scenarios is doable. Practice and train like you fight. Over and over again. When the time comes to perform the skill, follow these steps, and BE SURE TO ACTIVELY LISTEN TO THE PROCTOR:

  1. BSI. Ask yourself if the patient appears stable or unstable. Be ready to defend your decision. “This patient appears ________ (unstable or stable). He/She is currently in _________ (name the rhythm).”
  2. What are the ABCs of my patient? If they ask you to perform these, be ready to do so on the manikin or simulation dummy. Be ready to get rolling if the patient is pulseless. This means you must be familiar with how to apply combo pads with the monitor you’re testing, charge the defibrillator, and pace if needed. 
  3. If your patient has a pulse AND is responsive, be ready to run through V-O-M-I-T. Be ready to secure a BLS or an advanced airway. 
    • REMEMBER: This is the dynamic cardiology station. If your patient starts out stable, YOU CAN GUARANTEE THEY WILL BECOME UNSTABLE AT SOME POINT. Be ready.
  4. When your patient changes rhythms, take a few seconds to identify it. Take a deep breath, then state, “The patient's rhythm has changed; they are now in ________ (name the rhythm). My treatment for this is...”

NOTES:

  • Remember to state that you would immediately continue CPR after defibrillating
  • Sometimes the patient dies. Just because your patient is in asystole and is not coming out of it with your treatment, IT IS OKAY. Stick to the ACLS algorithms, and you’ll do great. 
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