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.