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: $10.00

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

Ready to begin?

Go to the student dashboard.

Not sure what courses you need?

Browse our course catalog!