What do paramedics do in a cardio asest?

Answer 1

A lot of stuff. I'm just going to make a list of stuff as I would do them in one minute increments. FYI: epinephrine is basically adrenaline.

0:00 begin chest compressions, ventilation with bag-valve-mask, attach monitor pads.

1:00 establish IV

2:00 stop compressions for rhythm check/pulse check. If no pulse and shockable rhythm, defibrillate @ 200J

3:00 first drug: epinephrine or vasopressin.

3:30 intubate patient/apply capnography (measures CO2 coming out of lungs)

4:00 rhythm check/pulse check and Defib @ 300J if shockable

5:00 Second Drug: Amiodarone (antidysrhythmic for V-fib or pulseless V-tach)

6:00 rhythm check/pulse check and Defib @ 360J if shockable

7:00 Epinephrine

8:00 rhythm check/pulse check and Defib @ 360J if shockable

9:00 Amiodarone if still VF/VT

10:00 rhythm check/pulse check and Defib @ 360J if shockable

11:00 Epinephrine

12:00 rhythm check/pulse check and Defib @ 360J if shockable

14:00 rhythm check/pulse check and Defib @ 360J if shockable

15:00 Epinephrine

16:00 rhythm check/pulse check and Defib @ 360J if shockable

etc etc.

As soon as we get pulses back, we do 2 more minutes of CPR to keep the heart perfused, then get a set of vitals, put them on the cot and head to the hospital.

If we haven't gotten anything in 20-40 minutes or the rhythm has gotten worse, we may consider calling a doctor on the radio for a time of death.