Unstable Bradycardia – NurseCheung.com https://nursecheung.com From "You're Not Good Enough" To "Look At Me Now!" Wed, 06 Dec 2023 15:10:22 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 https://2hya11.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/nurse-cheung-logo-Logo-1000-×-1000-px-2-150x150.png Unstable Bradycardia – NurseCheung.com https://nursecheung.com 32 32 Out-Of-Hospital ACLS Unstable Bradycardia Megacode: How to Respond in an Emergency Situation https://nursecheung.com/alcsmegacode-ooh-unstablebradycardia/ Sat, 07 Jan 2023 17:14:28 +0000 https://nursecheung.com/out-of-hospital-acls-unstable-bradycardia-megacode-how-to-respond-in-an-emergency-situation/

In this blog post, we will discuss how to respond to an out-of-hospital ACLS unstable bradycardia megacode. This is a serious emergency situation that requires quick action.

If you are not familiar with the megacode, don’t worry! We will go over the steps that you need to take in order to provide lifesaving care for the patient.

Adult Out-Of-Hospital Unstable Bradycardia Megacode Scenario

The following is a scenario in which you would use the out-of-hospital adult unstable bradycardia Megacode:

You are a paramedic responding to a call of a person with altered mental status.

Demonstrate what you would do next upon arrival

Initial Impression

The 60-year-old male person is sitting upright on a couch. He is disoriented, pale, and diaphoretic.

Primary Assessment Survey (A, B, C, D, E)

Airway: The airway is patent. The flow through the trachea is not impaired.

Breathing: Oxygenation is showing 86% on room air. You provide oxygen 4LNC.

Circulation: Blood pressure is 80/68, heart rate is 40/min, a rhythm check shows third-degree heart block, and the pulse is present but weak.

Disability: Decrease in mental status. Responsive to painful stimulation.

Exposure: No obvious signs of trauma, bleeding, burns, markings, or medical alert bracelet.

Change in Condition

After assessment of the initial impression and primary assessment, the man becomes unresponsive.

What are your next actions?

  1. Check responsiveness: Tap the shoulders and shout, “Are you okay?” There is no response.
  2. Activate the emergency response system. You direct the second rescuer to activate the emergency response system and get an AED.
  3. Check for breathing: Look for visible chest rising and falling. Breathing is present but weak.
  4. Check for a pulse: Place your fingers on the inside of the patient’s neck, just below the angle of the jaw. You will palpate the carotid pulse for no more than 10 seconds. Pulse is present but weak.
 

What are your next actions?

  1. Pulse and breathing is present so we will not begin CPR starting with compressions.
 

Unstable Bradycardia Algorithm

Identify and Treat the Underlying Cause

  1. Maintain patent airway, assist with breathing if necessary – Airway is patent and breathing is spontaneous
  2. Oxygen (if hypoxemic) – person is on 4LNC upon Primary Assessment
  3. Cardiac monitor, blood pressure, oximetry – Third Degree Heart Block, BP 80/68, 98% on 4LNC
  4. IV Access – 20 gauge in the right antecubital
  5. 12-Lead ECG if available and doesn’t delay therapy – Not readily available
  6. Consider hypoxic and toxicologic causes – Myocardial Ischemia/infarction, calcium-channel blockers, beta-blockers, digoxin, hypoxia, hyperkalemia
 

Persistent Bradyarrhthmia Causing

  • Hypotension? – YES
  • Acutely altered mental status? – YES
  • Signs of shock (low blood pressure, altered mental status, cold moist skin, weak or rapid pulse, rapid breathing, decreased urine output) – YES
  • Ischemic chest discomfort? – Wife states the man experienced chest pain prior to becoming unresponsive – YES
  • Acute heart failure (heavy breathing, suffocating sensation, struggle to breathe while lying down, tight chest, arrhythmia, cough, fluid retention, loss of consciousness)? – YES
 

Interventions

What interventions could you perform next?

  • Atropine 1mg bolus – relatively contraindicated in high-degree blocks

If atropine is not effective or contraindicated:

  • Transcutaneous pacing – YES
  • Dopamine
  • Epinephrine
 
 

You will begin the transfer to the nearest hospital. Your scenario has concluded.

]]> Emergency Department ACLS Unstable Bradycardia Megacode: How to Respond in an Emergency Situation https://nursecheung.com/aclsmegacode-ed-unstablebradycardia/ Sat, 07 Jan 2023 17:14:26 +0000 https://nursecheung.com/emergency-department-acls-unstable-bradycardia-megacode-how-to-respond-in-an-emergency-situation/

In this blog post, we will discuss how to respond to an emergency department ACLS unstable bradycardia megacode. This is a serious emergency situation that requires quick action.

If you are not familiar with the megacode, don’t worry! We will go over the steps that you need to take in order to provide lifesaving care for the patient.

Adult Emergency Department Unstable Bradycardia Megacode Scenario

The following is a scenario in which you would use the ED adult unstable bradycardia Megacode:

You are a healthcare provider working in the emergency department. You are assessing a woman with a history of syncopal episodes. She is present in the ED as she feels she is going to have another syncopal episode.

Demonstrate what you would do next

Initial Impression

The 75-year-old female is sitting upright on a stretcher. She is feeling dizzy, light-headed, weak, and faint. There are no complaints of chest pain, dyspnea, or palpitations. Overall she has been healthy with no recent changes to her medications.

Primary Assessment Survey (A, B, C, D, E)

Airway: The airway is patent. The flow through the trachea is not impaired.

Breathing: Oxygenation is showing 98% on room air.

Circulation: Blood pressure is 76/50, heart rate is 30/min, a rhythm check shows second-degree heart block Type II, and the pulse is present but weak.

Disability: The patient is oriented but drowsy. Overall alert, but responsive to verbal stimuli at times.

Exposure: No obvious signs of trauma, bleeding, burns, markings, or medical alert bracelet.

Change in Condition

After assessment of the initial impression and primary assessment, the patient’s mental status starts to deteriorate and the monitor shows a third-degree AV block.

What are your next actions?

  1. Check responsiveness: Tap the shoulders and shout, “Are you okay?” There is a slight response.
  2. Activate the emergency response system. Shout for backup and announce what room you are in.
  3. Check for breathing: Look for visible chest rising and falling. Breathing is present but weak.
  4. Check for a pulse: Place your fingers on the inside of the patient’s neck, just below the angle of the jaw. You will palpate the carotid pulse for no more than 10 seconds. Pulse is present but weak.
 

What are your next actions?

Pulse and breathing is present so we will not begin CPR starting with compressions.

Unstable Bradycardia Algorithm

Identify and Treat the Underlying Cause

  1. Maintain patent airway, assist with breathing if necessary – Airway is patent and breathing is spontaneous
  2. Oxygen (if hypoxemic) – The patient is not hypoxemic at this time and does not require oxygen.
  3. Cardiac monitor, blood pressure, oximetry – Third Degree Heart Block, BP 76/50, 98% on room air
  4. IV Access – 20 gauge in the left and right antecubital
  5. 12-Lead ECG if available and doesn’t delay therapy – Not readily available
  6. Consider hypoxic and toxicologic causes – Myocardial Ischemia/infarction, calcium-channel blockers, beta-blockers, digoxin, hypoxia, hyperkalemia
 

Persistent Bradyarrhthmia Causing

  • Hypotension? – YES
  • Acutely altered mental status? – YES
  • Signs of shock (low blood pressure, altered mental status, cold moist skin, weak or rapid pulse, rapid breathing, decreased urine output) – YES
  • Ischemic chest discomfort? – Unknown at this time but declined on previous assessment
  • Acute heart failure (heavy breathing, suffocating sensation, struggle to breathe while lying down, tight chest, arrhythmia, cough, fluid retention, loss of consciousness)? – YES
 

Interventions

What interventions could you perform next?

  • Atropine 1mg bolus – relatively contraindicated in high-degree blocks

If atropine is not effective or contraindicated:

  • Transcutaneous pacing – YES
  • Dopamine
  • Epinephrine
  • Labs – electrolytes and cardiac biomarkers
  • Urinalysis
  • Fluids
  • Chest x-ray
  • Cardiac Consultation
  • Transfer to a higher level of care
 
 

You will begin the transfer to a higher level of care. Your scenario has concluded.

]]> Inpatient ACLS Unstable Bradycardia Megacode: How to Respond in an Emergency Situation https://nursecheung.com/aclsmegacode-ip-unstablebradycardia/ Sat, 07 Jan 2023 17:14:24 +0000 https://nursecheung.com/inpatient-acls-unstable-bradycardia-megacode-how-to-respond-in-an-emergency-situation/

In this blog post, we will discuss how to respond to an inpatient ACLS unstable bradycardia megacode. This is a serious emergency situation that requires quick action.

If you are not familiar with the megacode, don’t worry! We will go over the steps that you need to take in order to provide lifesaving care for the patient.

Adult Inpatient Unstable Bradycardia Megacode Scenario

The following is a scenario in which you would use the inpatient adult unstable bradycardia Megacode:

You are a healthcare provider working in the cardiac telemetry observation unit. You are performing your morning patient assessment when you note that the monitor is showing bradycardia.

Demonstrate what you would do next

Initial Impression

The 45-year-old male is sitting upright on the hospital bed. He is feeling cold and clammy. There are no complaints of chest pain, dyspnea, or palpitations. Overall he has been healthy with no recent changes to his medications.

Primary Assessment Survey (A, B, C, D, E)

Airway: The airway is patent. The flow through the trachea is not impaired.

Breathing: Oxygenation is showing 98% on 2LNC.

Circulation: Blood pressure is 90/50, heart rate is 30/min, a rhythm check shows sinus bradycardia, and the pulse is present but weak.

Disability: The patient is alert and oriented.

Exposure: No obvious signs of trauma, bleeding, burns, markings, or medical alert bracelet.

Change in Condition

After assessment of the initial impression and primary assessment, the patient states he is having some chest discomfort and his extremities feel cool to the touch.

What are your next actions?

  1. Check responsiveness: Tap the shoulders and shout, “Are you okay?” This step is not necessary as the patient is awake, alert, and oriented.
  2. Activate the emergency response system. Call your charge nurse, call rapid response, and place a page out to the doctor.
  3. Check for breathing: Look for visible chest rising and falling. Breathing is present but slightly weak.
  4. Check for a pulse: Place your fingers on the inside of the patient’s neck, just below the angle of the jaw. You will palpate the carotid pulse for no more than 10 seconds. Pulse is present but weak.
 

What are your next actions?

Pulse and breathing is present so we will not begin CPR starting with compressions.

Unstable Bradycardia Algorithm

Identify and Treat the Underlying Cause

  1. Maintain patent airway, assist with breathing if necessary – Airway is patent and breathing is spontaneous
  2. Oxygen (if hypoxemic) – The patient is not hypoxemic at this time and already has 2LNC on.
  3. Cardiac monitor, blood pressure, oximetry – Sinus Bradycardia, BP 90/50 (confirmed this is low for the patient), 98% on 2LNC
  4. IV Access – 20 gauge in the left and right antecubital
  5. 12-Lead ECG if available and doesn’t delay therapy – Not readily available
  6. Consider hypoxic and toxicologic causes – Myocardial Ischemia/infarction, calcium-channel blockers, beta-blockers, digoxin, hypoxia, hyperkalemia
 

Persistent Bradyarrhthmia Causing

  • Hypotension? – YES
  • Acutely altered mental status? – No
  • Signs of shock (low blood pressure, altered mental status, cold moist skin, weak or rapid pulse, rapid breathing, decreased urine output) – YES
  • Ischemic chest discomfort? – YES
  • Acute heart failure (heavy breathing, suffocating sensation, struggle to breathe while lying down, tight chest, arrhythmia, cough, fluid retention, loss of consciousness)? – YES
 

Interventions

What interventions could you perform next?

  • Atropine 1mg bolus – Atropine was successful

If atropine was not effective or contraindicated:

  • Transcutaneous pacing
  • Dopamine
  • Epinephrine
  • Labs – electrolytes and cardiac biomarkers
  • Urinalysis
  • Fluids
  • Chest x-ray
  • Cardiac Consultation
  • Transfer to a higher level of care – Cardiac or Medical PCU
 
 

You will begin the transfer to a higher level of care. Your scenario has concluded.

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