Post-Cardiac Arrest Care in the ICU

This course is designed for nurses who may treat post-cardiac arrest patients in the ICU. The nurse learner will become knowledgeable on the skills to assess, care for, and intervene on behalf of post-cardiac arrest patients in the ICU. The course will address the American Heart Association algorithm for post-cardiac arrest care. It will identify the purpose and goals for targeted temperature management. The Nurse will learn how to conduct a neurologic examination in post-cardiac arrest patients. The Nurse will learn how they can play a role in preventing arrest recurrence and recognize the use of appropriate vasopressors as well as anti-dysrhythmic agents for post -cardiac arrest patients. 

Questions? Check out our FAQs page and How Online IV Certification Works!

Objectives

Upon completion of this course participants will be able to:

  1. Recall the American Heart Association algorithm for post-cardiac arrest care.
  2. Identify the purpose and goals for targeted temperature management.
  3. Discuss how to conduct neurologic examinations in post-cardiac arrest patients.
  4. Describe how ICU nurses can play a role in preventing arrest recurrence.
  5. Recognize the use of appropriate vasopressors and anti-dysrhythmic agents for post-cardiac arrest patients.

Curriculum

Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview of Cardiac Arrest

  • Incidence: In-Hospital/Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
  • Cardiac Arrest in Brief
  • Vignette: Post Cardiac Arrest Care

Chapter 2: American Heart Association Algorithm

  • Optimizes Ventilation
  • Treat Hypotension
  • Consider Induced Hypothermia

Chapter 3: Targeted Temperature Management/Induced Hypothermia

  • Historical Background
  • Purposes and Goals
  • Resources for ICU Nurses Regarding Other Facility's Protocols
  • Recent Changes to AHA Recommendations
  • Monitoring the Targeted Temperature Patient
  • Did You Know?

Chapter 4: Neurologic Examinations

  • Suggested Baseline Examinations
  • Assessment of Brain Injury
  • Seizures/Jerking
  • Illness Severity Scores

Chapter 5: Preventing Arrest Recurrence

  • Incidence
  • Assessments
  • Vasopressors/Anti-Arrhythmic Agents
  • Evidence-Based Tip

Chapter 6: References

  • California Bill 241
  • Implicit Bias in Healthcare
  • What is Implicit Bias?
  • Implications of Implicit Bias in Healthcare
  • How to Reduce Implicit Bias

Price: $12.00

Contact Hour: 1

Course Author

HTRSD.org

HTRSD is a provider of continuing education training focused on human trafficking and other social disparities for health care providers, as well as courses that address nurses' health and well-being and under-served topics in advanced critical care.

Read Full Bio

Course Accreditation

See our Accreditation Statements page to view our accreditation information.

Ready to begin?

Go to the student dashboard.

Not sure what courses you need?

Browse our course catalog!