Cardiac Arrest occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart is interrupted causing some heart cells to die.
Nursing care:
1. Obtain a full description of the patients pain and assess location, duration, sensation, exacerbation and radiation.
* Pain is a subjective experience and must be described by the patient
2. Administer supplemental Oxygen by nasal prongs or face mask as indicated.
* This increases the amount of oxygen available for the MI uptake and thereb relieves discomfort associated with tissue ischaemia
3. Administer medications:
A. Anti- anginals eg. Nitroglycerin ( Isosobide dinitrate) "Isodril".
* Nitrates are useful for pain control by coronary vasodialating effects which increase coronary blood flow and myocardial perfusion
B.Betablockers eg :
Atenolol (Tenormin)
Propranolol (Inderal)
Metoprolol ( Lopressor)
These are important secondline agents for pain control through effect of blocking sympathetic stimulayion, thereby decreasing heart rate, systolic B.P. and Myocardial O2 demand.
C. Analgesics e.g. - Morphine (Meperidine) " Demerol".
Although IV Morphine is the usual drug choice, other injectable narcotics may be used in acute phase orrecurrent chest pain unrelieved by nitroglycerine to decrease severe pain, provide sedation and decrease myocardial workload.
Evaluate all interventions
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The chances of survival for a person who has experienced a cardiac arrest in increased by early CPR and early defibrillation. During cardiac arrest, the heart is not pumping and the organs are not receiving oxygen. High quality CPR can provide the organs with oxygen until the heart can be defibrillated or restarted with drugs. Every minute that the organs, especially the brain, are deprived of oxygen decreases the chance of survival.
Cardiac arrest should be recognized and treated immediately, ideally within seconds. The chances of survival decrease by about 10% for every minute that passes without intervention, such as CPR or defibrillation. Therefore, it's crucial to initiate emergency response and begin CPR within 1 to 2 minutes after recognizing cardiac arrest to maximize the likelihood of survival.
The chances are unlikely (but not impossible). The older you are, the higher the chances. PS. Cardiac arrest is not the same as heart attack (however, what I said above applies to both).
The Cardiac Chain of Survival consists of five critical links that enhance the chances of survival following a cardiac arrest. These links are: early recognition and activation of emergency response, early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with an emphasis on chest compressions, early defibrillation, effective advanced life support, and integrated post-cardiac arrest care. Each link is vital in improving outcomes for individuals experiencing a cardiac event, emphasizing the importance of immediate action and timely medical intervention.
To scream and panic.
An AED is a device which uses an electrical shock to restart a heart that has failed during cardiac arrest. This device can be crucial, because when the heart stops beating during cardiac arrest, their blood also stops pumping, which can deprive the brain of oxygen and lead to serious brain damage should they survive. The faster the heart is restarted, the higher the chances of survival.
A common but sometimes fatal mistake in cardiac arrest management is delaying or failing to initiate CPR promptly. Immediate bystander CPR can significantly increase the chances of survival for someone experiencing cardiac arrest. Delaying CPR can lead to irreversible damage to the brain and other vital organs due to lack of oxygen.
In the United States, around 350,000 people die from sudden cardiac arrest each year. It is important for people to be trained in CPR and for automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to be readily available in public places to improve survival rates.
protecting children from injury and cardiac arrest
Yes, CPR started within 4 - 6 minutes after a heart attack when no signs of life are present will give the person a good chance of survival. As time goes beyond 6 minutes, chances of survival decrease about 10% per minute.
The scientific name for Cardiac Arrest is HI!
Breaths are crucial for infants and children in cardiac arrest because they provide oxygen necessary for cellular metabolism and organ function. In pediatric patients, the primary cause of cardiac arrest is often respiratory failure, making effective ventilation vital to restore oxygen levels. Additionally, infants and children have a higher oxygen demand relative to their body size, so timely breaths can help prevent irreversible brain damage and improve the chances of successful resuscitation. Ensuring adequate ventilation is essential during CPR to increase the likelihood of survival and recovery.