EMT-Basic/Medical/Cardiovascular

Lesson 4.3: Cardiovascular Emergencies

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, the EMT-Basic should be able to:

1. Describe the structure and function of the cardiovascular system.
2. Describe the emergency medical care of the patient experiencing chest pain or discomfort.
3. List the indications for automated external defibrillation.
4. List the contraindications for automated external defibrillation.
5. Define the role of the EMT-Basic in the emergency cardiac care system.
6. Explain the impact of age and weight on defibrillation.
7. Discuss the position of comfort for patients with various cardiac emergencies.
8. Establish the relationship between airway management and the patient with cardiovascular compromise.
9. Predict the relationship between the patient experiencing cardiovascular compromise and basic life support.
10. Discuss the fundamentals of early defibrillation.
11. Explain the rationale for early defibrillation.
12. Explain what conditions would necessitate connecting the AED to a chest pain patient.
13. Explain the importance of prehospital ACLS intervention if it is available.
14. Explain the importance of urgent transport to a facility with Advanced Cardiac Life Support if it is not available in the prehospital setting.
15. Discuss the various types of automated external defibrillators.
16. Differentiate between the fully automated and the semi-automated defibrillator.
17. Discuss the procedures for standard operation of the various types of AED.
18. State the reasons for assuring that the patient is pulseless and apneic when using the AED.
19. Discuss the circumstances which may result in inappropriate shocks.
20. Explain the considerations for interruption of CPR when using an AED.
21. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of AEDs.
22. Summarize the speed of operation of AEDs.
23. Discuss the use of remote defibrillation through adhesive pads.
24. Discuss the special considerations for rhythm monitoring.
25. List the steps in the operation of the AED.
26. Discuss the standard of care that should be used to provide care to a patient with persistent ventricular fibrillation and no available ACLS.
27. Discuss the standard of care that should be used to provide care to a patient with recurrent ventricular fibrillation and no available ACLS.
28. Differentiate between single rescuer care and multi-rescuer care with an AED.
29. Explain the reason for pulses not being checked between shocks with an AED.
30. Discuss the importance of coordinating ACLS trained provides with personnel using AEDs.
31. Discuss the importance of post-resuscitation care.
32. List the components of post-resuscitation care.
33. Explain the importance of frequent practice with the AED.
34. Discuss the need to check the AED before every shift.
35. Discuss the role of the American Heart Association in the use of AEDs.
36. Explain the role medical direction plays in the use of AEDs.
37. State the reasons why a case review should be completed following the use of the AED.
38. Discuss the components that should be included in a case review.
39. Discuss the goal of quality improvement in automated external defibrillation.
40. Recognize the need for medical direction of protocols to assist in the emergency medical care of the patient with chest pain.
41. List the indications for the use of nitroglycerin.
42. State the contraindications and side effects for the use of nitroglycerin.
43. Define the function of all controls on an AED and describe event documentation and battery and general maintenance of the AED.
44. Defend the reasons for obtaining initial training in the use of the AED and the importance of continuing education.
45. Defend the reason for maintenance of AEDs.
46. Explain the rationale for administering nitroglycerin to a patient with chest pain or discomfort.
47. Demonstrate the assessment and emergency medical care of a patient experiencing chest pain or discomfort.
48. Demonstrate the application and operation of the AED.
49. Demonstrate the maintenance of an AED.
50. Demonstrate the assessment and documentation of patient response to the AED.
51. Demonstrate the skills necessary to check an AED at the start of each shift.
52. Perform the steps in facilitating the use of nitroglycerin for chest pain or discomfort.
53. Demonstrate the assessment and documentation of patient response to nitroglycerin.
54. Practice completing a prehospital care report for patients with cardiovascular emergencies.