ACLS Skills Session Checklist
What is the ACLS Skills Session?
The Avant-garde Cardiac Life Back up (ACLS) skills session is an optional live examination portion to ACLS certification. During the skills session test an ACLS certified examiner will guide the student through a series of life-threatening cardiopulmonary scenarios commonly referred to as megacodes. During each megacode the student volition be required to demonstrates a solid grasp of ACLS concepts and mechanics. Megacodes will generally cover the fundamental mechanics of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), advanced airway interventions and direction, and the diagnosis and treatment of common cardiac arrhythmias.
ACLS Skills Checklist
The ACLS skills checklist is the compilation of both the megacode scenarios and their respective checklists used for student evaluation. Directions are provided to both the educatee, examinee, and skills test ambassador, examiner, within the evaluation packet. Once completed the examiner signs the ACLS skills checklist as evidence that the student has passed the optional live skills portion of their certification. For individuals required to take a live skills test with their ACLS certification, the ACLS provider card and the signed ACLS skills checklist are to be kept together once completed.
Below yous will find the megacodes and their corresponding checklists. Print these documents and provide them to the skills test administrator.
Skills Test Administrator
Only a current certified ACLS provider may administrate the ACLS skills test. This could include a qualified supervisor, coworker, instructor, or friend.
Institutions also commonly assign an ACLS certified employee to administrate our megacodes in group learning. If you’re an institution interested in providing ACLS skills sessions for United Medical Instruction feel costless to utilize our self-directed instructions and check-off lists.
If y’all don’t have access to one of the prior convenient options, you may contact an unaffiliated ACLS skills exam administrator using the map below.
Find Skills Test Examiner
*Of import: You will need to download and print the United Medical Education source “Total ACLS Skills Session PDF Document” below for your skills test examiner.
ACLS Skills Checklist Downloads
Here we provide a list of all our ACLS megacodes and checklists necessary for the live skills session.
If you lot’re here to obtain the documents for testing purposes we recommend yous download and print the “Full ACLS Skills Session PDF Document” below.
We too provide each megacode and checklist in private sections if you want to apply them for personal review.
DIRECTIONS for Skills Testing:
The test administrator, examiner, volition read the case scenarios to the student and follow the checklists, marking each stride
Completed
every bit the pupil works through each scenario. In order to have a step marked complete the educatee must demonstrate a solid grasp of BLS/ACLS concepts and mechanics. The test administrator should non provide guidance to the student just may respond questions given the data provided in the scenario. Each scenario should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. In the outcome the administrator must guide the student through a step, the stride must be counted as incomplete and the student should repeat the skills checklist. The student should receive feedback on areas needing comeback earlier retesting skills.
*DISCLAIMER: But a current certified ACLS provider tin administer the test.
BLS Scenario Checklist
During the ACLS skills session the examinee must also complete an adult BLS skills scenario. Using the button to a higher place you tin can navigate to our folio with this total information.
ACLS Airway Checklist
Airway Management Megacode Scenario
(Exam administrator dialogue provided in italics)
You are a nurse in the ER examining a twenty-year-onetime female patient who presents with shortness of jiff. The patient states betwixt breaths she has a history of asthma and feels similar she can’t breathe.
1. Examinee performs primary assessment: assessing airway, breathing, and apportionment.
(Airway is patent; patient is breathing rapidly, thirty RR; wheezing heard bilaterally on auscultation; 88% O2 saturation; 115 Hour; 130/84 BP)
2. Activates emergency response.
(Respiratory therapist has been chosen and is on their way)
3. Provides supplemental oxygen to patient.
(Ask examinee what is appropriate oxygenation level?)
Examinee states 94% or greater.
You administer supplemental oxygen to the patient only oxygen saturation is not improving. Respiratory therapy arrives and administers albuterol handling. In that location is no marked improvement in patient’s condition and vital signs begin to deteriorate. Patient is gasping for air.
4. Demonstrates effective ventilation using bag-mask. Ask examinee what is correct ventilation charge per unit and speed? One breath every 6 seconds, over 1 second each.
5. Examinee recognizes the need for an advanced airway and places i.
ACLS Skills Verification Checklist – Airway Management | ||
|---|---|---|
Skill Tested | Completed | |
Yeah | No | |
Performs primary assessment: Assesses airway, breathing and apportionment | ||
Activates emergency response (calls for help) | ||
Administers supplemental oxygen (maintains oxygen saturation 94% or higher) | ||
Performs constructive bag-mask ventilation (once every 6 seconds, given over i sec) | ||
Recognizes demand for an advanced airway | ||
ACLS Tachyarrhythmia Checklist
Tachyarrhythmia Megacode Scenario
(Test administrator dialogue provided in italics)
You are an ER physician examining a 50-twelvemonth-old male that presents to the ER lament of light-headedness and shortness of jiff.
1. Examinee assesses airway, breathing, and apportionment.
(Airway is patent; 24 RR; 154 60 minutes; xc% O2 Sat; 120/84 BP)
2. Examinee initiates advisable interventions: maintains open airway and oxygenation, places 4, places cardiac monitor, and monitors patient’s BP.
3. Prove examinee rhythm strip for SVT. Examinee correctly identifies rhythm.
four. Examinee performs vagal maneuvers.
(No change in patient condition.)
five. Examinee administers Adenosine, initial dose 6 mg.
(No change after initial dose of Adenosine. Patient remains in SVT.)
half-dozen. Examinee administers second dose of Adenosine, dose 12 mg.
(Patient’s condition has not improved. Patient remains in SVT)
seven. Examinee should move on to cardioversion. Have examinee state dose, 100 J.
(After synchronized cardioversion patient goes unconscious.)
eight. Examinee assesses for pulse, animate.
(Patient does not have a pulse. The monitor shows the following rhythm) Testify examinee rhythm strip for VT; have them identify.
9. Examinee recognizes VT as a shockable rhythm. Defibrillates patient. Commences CPR.
10. At rhythm bank check (2 min mark) show examinee rhythm strip for PEA; accept them identify.
11. Examinee should continue CPR. Administer 1 mg epinephrine. Consider H&T’due south.
Patient has ROSC.
12. Examinee should identify post-cardiac arrest care measures.
ACLS Skills Verification Checklist – Tachyarrhythmia Megacode | ||
|---|---|---|
Skill Tested | Completed | |
Yes | No | |
Performs primary assessment: Assesses airway, animate and circulation | ||
Implements advisable initial interventions for tachyarrhythmia: Maintain airway, supplemental oxygen, cardiac monitor, BP, place Iv | ||
Correctly identifies cardiac rhythm | ||
a.) Performs vagal maneuvers b.) Administers adenosine and identifies correct doses c.) Performs cardioversion | ||
Performs BLS cess: Circulation, airway, breathing | ||
Correctly identifies cardiac rhythm as shockable. Delivers stupor. | ||
Continues CPR immediately after daze delivered. | ||
Identifies cardiac rhythm every bit unshockable. Continues CPR. | ||
Administers one mg epinephrine. | ||
Identifies ROSC post-abort care: Optimize ventilation/oxygenation (maintain O2 Sat >94%), treat hypotension (fluids), STEMI / MI considerations (coronary perfusion), Temperature direction (Neuro), transfer to ICU | ||
ACLS Bradyarrhythmia Checklist
Bradyarrhythmia Megacode Scenario
(Exam administrator dialogue provided in italics)
67 year-onetime male presents to the ER for altered mental status. Patient reports feeling tired and his wife states he has had some confusion.
one. Examinee assesses airway, breathing, and circulation.
(No airway compromise; 18 RR breath sounds clear; 42 HR; xc% O2 Sat; lxxx/56 BP)
2. Examinee initiates appropriate interventions: maintain airway and oxygenation, places 4, places cardiac monitor, monitors patient’s BP and ECG.
3. Show examinee rhythm strip for sinus bradycardia; accept them identify.
4. Examinee recognizes need to administer atropine, initial dose 0.5 mg bolus.
(Three minutes later you administrate a 2d dose also with no change in patient condition.)
five. Examinee should move on to transcutaneous pacing.
(The patient suddenly goes unconscious.)
6. Examinee assesses for pulse and breathing.
(Patient does not have a pulse. The monitor shows the post-obit rhythm)
Show examinee rhythm strip for VT; take them identify.
7. Examinee recognizes VT as shockable rhythm. Defibrillates patient. Commences CPR.
8. At rhythm check (2 min marking) show examinee rhythm strip for PEA; have them place.
9. Examinee should continue CPR. Administer ane mg epinephrine. Consider H&T’s.
(Patient has ROSC.)
ten. Examinee should identify mail service-cardiac arrest care measures.
ACLS Skills Verification Checklist – Bradyarrhythmia Megacode | ||
|---|---|---|
Skill Tested | Completed | |
Yeah | No | |
Performs primary assessment: Assesses airway, breathing and circulation | ||
Implements advisable initial interventions for tachyarrhythmia: Maintain airway, supplemental oxygen, cardiac monitor, BP, place IV | ||
Correctly identifies cardiac rhythm | ||
Administers correct dose of atropine 0.5 mg. | ||
Performs transcutaneous pacing. | ||
Performs BLS assessment: Circulation, airway, breathing | ||
Correctly Identifies cardiac rhythm as shockable. Delivers shock. | ||
Continues CPR immediately afterwards shock delivery. | ||
Identifies cardiac rhythm every bit unshockable. Continues CPR. | ||
Administers 1 mg epinephrine. | ||
Identifies ROSC postal service-arrest intendance: Optimize ventilation/oxygenation (maintain O2 Sat >94%), treat hypotension (fluids), STEMI/ MI considerations (coronary perfusion), Temperature management (Neuro), transfer to ICU | ||
Megacode Rhythm Strips
MEGACODE RHYTHM STRIPS KEY:
1. Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
2. Ventricular Tachycardia – Monomorphic (VT)
3. Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)
iv. Sinus Bradycardia
ACLS Skills Session
Document Grade
FAQs
What is included in ACLS skills session? ›
During the skills session test an ACLS certified examiner will guide the student through a series of life-threatening cardiopulmonary scenarios commonly referred to as megacodes. During each megacode the student will be required to demonstrates a solid grasp of ACLS concepts and mechanics.
Do I need a skills evaluation for ACLS? ›Skills assessment with an AHA Instructor is required to earn a valid AHA ACLS Provider e-Card that is valid for two years. No written exam required; the ACLS HeartCode online certificate of completion is required to attend the in-person skill assessment.
How long does ACLS skills check take? ›The hands-on session for HeartCode ACLS will take approximately 5 – 6 hours using either Option 1 or Option 2 HeartCode Agenda. The ACLS ILT Full Course is approximately 15 hours and 20 minutes with breaks and lunch.
What happens if you fail the ACLS test? ›If you fail your ACLS exam, you will typically need to retake the course and exam. This requires the time and expense of registering and paying an additional fee to retake the certification. The Medical ProCerts ACLS Certification exam can be retaken multiple times and at your own pace for no extra cost.
What are the 5 Ts of ACLS? ›Rapidly identify and treat causes of non-shockable arrest (PEA, asystole). Important causes include the 5 H's and 5 T's: Hypoxia, Hypovolemia, Hydrogen ions (acidosis), Hyper/Hypo-kalemia, Hypothermia; Tension pneumothorax, Tamponade-cardiac, Toxins, Thrombosis-coronary (MI), Thrombosis-pulmonary (PE).
How many questions are on ACLS? ›Yes, the ACLS test is multiple choice. The exam consists of 50 multiple choice questions.
How do I prepare for ACLS skills test? ›- Take A Self-Guided Course. ...
- Use the ACLS Study Guides. ...
- Complete All the ACLS Megacodes. ...
- Study Algorithms. ...
- Review Your ECG Rhythms. ...
- Memorize Your H's & T's. ...
- Rewatch Videos in Trouble Areas. ...
- Memorize and Practice Recalling Precise Medications and Doses.
ACLS Written Exam The ACLS Provider exam is 50 multiple-choice questions, with a required passing score is 84%.
What is a passing grade for ACLS? ›The ACLS Certification Exam requires a passing score of 80% and must be passed before receiving a Certification. There are 50 exam questions, and you will have unlimited time to complete the exam.
How many can you miss on ACLS test? ›After you finish each test, the program will grade your test. Repeat the test if you score Less than 85%. If you miss a question, a rationale will be provided with a page reference number from the AHA ACLS Provider Manual.
How many times can you take the ACLS online exam? ›
UNLIMITED RETAKES
You can retake the ACLS certification exam as many times as needed until you pass.
What happens if I fail the exam? You will receive 3 attempts for each course. After each attempt, you will receive an exam scoring report showing any incorrect answers. If you fail 3 times, you will need to retake the course.
Is ACLS exam multiple choice? ›Test your knowledge with our free ACLS Practice Test provided below in order to prepare you for our official online exam. The practice test consists of 10 multiple-choice questions that are derived from the ACLS provider handbook and adhere to the latest ILCOR and ECC guidelines.
Is there a test at the end of ACLS? ›Description. The ACLS Online Exam is included at no cost with the purchase of the ACLS Provider eCard. The Exam measures the mastery of cognitive knowledge gained from the ACLS Course and is administered by the Instructor at the conclusion of the ACLS Course.
How often is ACLS successful? ›During the post-BLS/ACLS training period, 67 patients (69.1%) were discharged of the 97 cardiac arrest victims who had ROSC. The survival to hospital discharge rate in the post-BLS/ACLS training period was statistically significant (P< 0.0001) when compared with the pre-BLS/ACLS training period [Table 2].
What are the 4 ACLS rhythms? ›There are four possible electrocardiographic rhythms in cardiac arrest: ventricular fibrillation (VF), pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT), pulseless electrical activity (PEA), and asystole.
What rhythm is not shockable? ›Rhythms that are not amenable to shock include pulseless electrical activity (PEA) and asystole. In these cases, identifying primary causation, performing good CPR, and administering epinephrine are the only tools you have to resuscitate the patient.
What are the 10 core cases of ACLS? ›Students are expected to learn to manage 10 core ACLS cases: respiratory emergency, 4 types of cardiac arrest (simple VF/VT, complex VF/VT, PEA, and asystole), 4 types of prearrest emergencies (bradycardia, stable tachycardia, unstable tachycardia, and acute coronary syndromes), and stroke.
Which items is not a basic airway skill? ›Intubation with a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is an advanced airway management device and is not considered a basic airway skill.
What is the rate of CPR in ACLS? ›In adult victims of cardiac arrest, it is reasonable for rescuers to perform chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120/min and to a depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm) for an average adult, while avoiding excessive chest compression depths (greater than 2.4 inches [6 cm]).
What is the maximum time allowed for interruptions in CPR such as checking for breathing and pulse in order to maximize time spent on compressions? ›
NOTE: Minimize interruptions to chest compressions to less than 10 seconds! DO NOT check pulse or analyze heart rhythm after a shock.
How can I memorize ACLS easily? ›The most common mnemonic devices in ACLS are the five T's and five H's. Both stand for reversible causes that signal the need for ACLS. All ACLS exams will require you to know and understand this important information.
How do you memorize ACLS algorithms? ›- Know Which ACLS Algorithms Are Most Important. There are seven general algorithms as part of ACLS. ...
- Use Mnemonics. ...
- Run over Scenarios Yourself. ...
- Get Some Help from a Friend. ...
- Figure Out Your Learning Style.
Primary Assessment for ACLS
Ensure confirmation of placement of an advanced airway and secure the advanced airway device. (B) Breathing: Give bag-mask ventilation, provide supplemental oxygen, and avoid excessive ventilation. Also, adequacy of ventilation and oxygenation should be monitored during this step.
Even if it's your first time taking ACLS, you need to come prepared. Prerequisites include proficiency in BLS (high quality CPR), ECG rhythm interpretation, and pharmacology. Discover your own best way to study and be proficient in these areas especially.
How many pages is the ACLS manual? ›| Publisher | Aha; 16th edition (January 1, 2016) |
|---|---|
| Paperback | 208 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1616694009 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1616694005 |
| Item Weight | 1.3 pounds |
The AHA and European Resuscitation Council developed the most recent ACLS Guidelines in 2020 and 2021, respectively, using the comprehensive review of resuscitation literature performed by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) [4-6].
Is ACLS post test open book? ›It is 25 questions. You may use your book for reference, i.e. open book. Yes, there is a written test at the end of the ACLS class. It is 50 questions.
Can you retake the ACLS pretest? ›ACLS Precourse Self-Assessment
Students are able to retake the Self-Assessment as many times as needed to achieve a passing score. The student must print, or take picture on their phone, of their successful completion bring it with them to class.
Check for pulse and rhythm for no more than 10 seconds every 2 minutes.
How long is the ACLS pretest? ›
ACLS Renewal and ACLS Initial Students are required to complete the Mandatory Precourse Assessment and Precourse Work. This section takes about 3-4 hours to complete and you cannot attend the course unless both are completed.
Is ACLS update the same as renewal? ›The biggest difference between our ACLS certification and ACLS recertification courses lies in how the course is formatted. The certification course follows a directed course model. This means all of the section review questions must be completed prior to attempting the final exam.
Are ALS and ACLS the same? ›ALS (Advanced Life Support) is often used interchangeably with the term ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support). Advanced Life Support is the name of the ILCOR taskforce that produces Consensus on Science with Treatment Recommendations in this subject area.
How often does ACLS change? ›Every 5 years the American Heart Association has a meeting, and they hammer out new CPR, BLS, ACLS and PALS guidelines.
Which ACLS is most important? ›ACLS Algorithm #1: Cardiac Arrest
The most important and most frequently used ACLS algorithm is the cardiac arrest algorithm.
Can I take BLS and ACLS at the same time? There is some overlap in BLS and ACLS courses, however they are still two separate courses. AHA instructors may choose to make a convenient option for ACLS students to attend BLS training right before their ACLS course.
Is ACLS more advanced than BLS? ›The most significant distinction between ACLS and BLS is the level of advancement between the two certifications. Consider BLS certification as having the most basic fundamentals of lifesaving cardiac care. ACLS is a more sophisticated and advanced certification course that builds on the fundamentals of BLS.
What to expect for ACLS skills test? ›During the skills session test an ACLS certified examiner will guide the student through a series of life-threatening cardiopulmonary scenarios commonly referred to as megacodes. During each megacode the student will be required to demonstrates a solid grasp of ACLS concepts and mechanics.
What is the ACLS Megacode? ›A mega code is your final test on the second day of your ACLS certification course. This course is great for doctors, registered nurses, pharmacists, dentists, physician assistants and other health care leaders.
What are common mistakes in ACLS? ›Common mistakes made in performing CPR and ACLS include slow chest compressions, shallow compression depth, hyperventilation, delivery of electrical shocks for non-shockable rhythms, long pauses in CPR before administering shocks, and lack of an advanced airway.
What are the 9 cases in ACLS? ›
- ACLS Cases Respiratory Arrest.
- Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia and Ventricular Fibrillation.
- Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA) & Asystole.
- Adult Cardiac Arrest Management Algorithm.
- Cardiac Arrest Management.
- Adult Immediate Post Cardiac Arrest Management Algorithm.
- Symptomatic Bradycardia-Slow Heart Rate.
- Commonly Used Medications in ACLS.
- Adenosine.
- Amiodarone.
- Atropine.
- Dopamine.
- Epinephrine.
- Lidocaine.
- Magnesium Sulfate.
During the live skills session a student will be presented with a set of scenarios that involve pediatric patients in cardiopulmonary emergencies. The student will then be required to demonstrate proper decision making and mechanics in PALS with regards to current international CPR and ECC guidelines and standards.
How do you pass the PALS skills test? ›- Actively Participate in the Class. ...
- Engage in Discussions During Scenarios. ...
- Be Able to Diagnose Symptoms. ...
- Know Basic BLS Skills. ...
- Know the PALS Medications. ...
- Calculate Medication Dosages by Weight. ...
- Use Practice Tests for Studying.
All AHA exams are now “open resource” which means student may use the PALS manual, study guides, handouts and personal notes during the exam. Using the PALS Provider Manual ahead of time with the online resources is very helpful.
What is a passing score for PALS? ›To successfully complete the course, a PALS course participant must achieve a minimum grade of 84% on this test.
What are the ABCS of ACLS? ›ABC indicates airway, breathing, and circulation; AV, atrioventricular; BP, blood pressure; CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation; ECG, electrocardiogram; HR, heart rate; IO, intraosseous; and IV, intravenous.
What is ABCD in ACLS? ›The ACLS Survey follows A, B, C, and D: Airway, Breathing, Circulation, and Differential Diagnosis.
Is atropine still used in ACLS? ›There are 3 medications that are used in the Bradycardia ACLS Algorithm. They are atropine, dopamine (infusion), and epinephrine (infusion). More detailed ACLS pharmacology information is reviewed following this page.