Week 5: Cardiac Arrests in High Tech Lab
- Laura Palmer
- Feb 11, 2019
- 2 min read
This week I was scheduled for driving clinical but due to instructor availability, I was switched to high tech lab. I was quite happy with this change as I got to practice with the SimMan again and practice medical cardiac arrest directives prior to GRS next week. I was able to complete two scenarios (inferior MI and anaphylaxis) and watch my classmates do theirs (CHF, stroke, overdose, and hypoglycemia). I find both completing scenarios and observing scenarios to be excellent learning opportunities. When observing scenarios, I was taking notes and trying to put myself in my classmates' shoes for what I would do and what I would ask the patient. As I was expecting to be driving today, I didn't have my BLS or ALS with me so I utilized the electronic versions on my phone (OPCG and Medic Buddy apps - highly recommend having them on your phone if you don't already!).
Overall, I was happy with how I performed in the scenarios. I feel that I made a big improvement since high tech at the beginning of January. I am starting to get more comfortable with the structure of second semester scenarios, I am assessing GCS and CABs earlier and then implementing treatment - this semester is all about the CAB issues! I am also getting off scene faster and starting to utilize my partner better - quicker vitals, airway adjuncts, etc. I feel that I did well with questioning and tailoring my questioning. I am planning to review the History Taking for Paramedic Students guide this week prior to lab class to keep improving on questioning. The area where I feel I was lacking the most confidence and really want to improve on, is rhythm interpretation.
Rhythm Interpretation
When an ECG is on paper and I have the time to do the 7 Steps, I am able to accurately interpret a rhythm most of the time. I did not fear nearly as comfortable when interpreting rhythms in real-time in a scenario. To improve on this, tomorrow night when I am in after hours lab, I am going ask a classmate to randomly select cardiac arrest rhythms (asystole, PEA, pulseless VT, and VF) using the Sim Box so that I can view them on the monitor and get practice with interpreting shockable and non-shockable rhythms in real-time. To prepare for that, I am also going to look through my patho notes tonight to review the key identifying features of each cardiac arrest rhythm.
Week 5 done!
Laura
Hi Jess,
Thanks for sharing the ECG resource! I especially liked the 'Learn' section where I can click on the different rhythms we have learned in patho and practice seeing them move in real time.
Thanks!
Laura Palmer
Hi Laura! I definitely understand where you're coming from with the ECG interpretation during scenarios. I found a quiz online where you interpret ECG's while being timed. I think this might be helpful for you to get quicker, especially when you're in those high stress scenarios. Here's the link : https://www.skillstat.com/tools/ecg-simulator - Jessica Clarke
Hi Nick,
Thank you for the suggestion about printing ECG strips! I hadn't thought about doing that. I will definitely utilize that strategy (and resource) with rhythms I am having difficulty with. I also want to print a few of the 12 lead strips for the more confusing rhythms to get a better understanding of how to interpret all the different leads at the same time to identify areas of the heart with abnormal electrical activity.
Thanks :)
Laura
Hey Laura,
Having the opportunity to utilize the high tech lab and see those six scenarios is definitely beneficial before next week's GRS scenarios! I love your approach to identifying your weaknesses and how you implement plans to get better. One other tip I've found it useful for practicing your ECG reading it to use the Sim box and print off strips. You can write what they are on the back and use them like flashcards even when you're not in lab.
Keep up the great work!
-Nick C