Pharmacotherapy Considerations for Inpatient Advanced Cardiac Life Support

Activity Summary

Required reading for all learners: Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes

High-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation and early defibrillation of shockable rhythms are the most effective interventions for improving survival rates and long-term clinical outcomes. Additional interventions include establishing intravenous (IV) access for medication administration. Nevertheless, medications remain a fundamental component of advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and are the focus of this review. Epinephrine, amiodarone, and lidocaine are the only 3 medications currently recommended within the AHA’s adult cardiac arrest algorithm. Unlike amiodarone and lidocaine, epinephrine has a place in the algorithm both for shockable rhythms (ventricular fibrillation [VF] and pulseless ventricular tachycardia [VT]) and for nonshockable rhythms (asystole and pulseless electrical activity). A review of commonly used medications for cardiac arrest management that fall outside the AHA algorithm i included.

Objectives

Identify the use of epinephrine in rhythm specific subgroups.
Describe the two antiarrhythmics agents recommended in ACLS and their supporting evidence
Review the commonly used medications in cardiac arrest management that fall outside of the AHA algorithm

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Successful Completion

Learners must complete the entire activity and the associated evaluation to be awarded contact hours AND read Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes. No partial credit will be awarded.

Accreditation

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider number CEP 1036, for {contactHours} contact hours.

Disclosures

Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content will be identified by the Nurse Planner within the activity. Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content has been mitigated.

Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing education only and does not imply AACN, ANCC, or CBRN approval or endorsement of any commercial products discussed or displayed in conjunction with this educational activity. Activities with pharmacology hours are to assist the APRN in fulfilling the pharmacotherapeutic education requirements for licensure and certification renewals.

Activities meet the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education for license and/or certification renewal. AACN recommends consulting with your own state board of nursing or credentialing organization before submitting your certificate of completion.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.