# EMT-Basic/Medical/Cardiovascular

Lesson 4.3: Cardiovascular Emergencies

## Objectives

By the end of this lesson, the EMT-Basic should be able to:
* Describe the structure and function of the cardiovascular system.
* Describe the emergency medical care of the patient experiencing chest pain or discomfort.
* List the indications for automated external defibrillation.
* List the contraindications for automated external defibrillation.
* Define the role of the EMT-Basic in the emergency cardiac care system.
* Explain the impact of age and weight on defibrillation.
* Discuss the position of comfort for patients with various cardiac emergencies.
* Establish the relationship between airway management and the patient with cardiovascular compromise.
* Predict the relationship between the patient experiencing cardiovascular compromise and basic life support.
* Discuss the fundamentals of early defibrillation.
* Explain the rationale for early defibrillation.
* Explain what conditions would necessitate connecting the AED to a chest pain patient.
* Explain the importance of prehospital ACLS intervention if it is available.
* Explain the importance of urgent transport to a facility with Advanced Cardiac Life Support if it is not available in the prehospital setting.
* Discuss the various types of automated external defibrillators.
* Differentiate between the fully automated and the semi-automated defibrillator.
* Discuss the procedures for standard operation of the various types of AED.
* State the reasons for assuring that the patient is pulseless and apneic when using the AED.
* Discuss the circumstances which may result in inappropriate shocks.
* Explain the considerations for interruption of CPR when using an AED.
* Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of AEDs.
* Summarize the speed of operation of AEDs.
* Discuss the use of remote defibrillation through adhesive pads.
* Discuss the special considerations for rhythm monitoring.
* List the steps in the operation of the AED.
* Discuss the standard of care that should be used to provide care to a patient with persistent ventricular fibrillation and no available ACLS.
* Discuss the standard of care that should be used to provide care to a patient with recurrent ventricular fibrillation and no available ACLS.
* Differentiate between single rescuer care and multi-rescuer care with an AED.
* Explain the reason for pulses not being checked between shocks with an AED.
* Discuss the importance of coordinating ACLS trained provides with personnel using AEDs.
* Discuss the importance of post-resuscitation care.
* List the components of post-resuscitation care.
* Explain the importance of frequent practice with the AED.
* Discuss the need to check the AED before every shift.
* Discuss the role of the American Heart Association in the use of AEDs.
* Explain the role medical direction plays in the use of AEDs.
* State the reasons why a case review should be completed following the use of the AED.
* Discuss the components that should be included in a case review.
* Discuss the goal of quality improvement in automated external defibrillation.
* Recognize the need for medical direction of protocols to assist in the emergency medical care of the patient with chest pain.
* List the indications for the use of nitroglycerin.
* State the contraindications and side effects for the use of nitroglycerin.
* Define the function of all controls on an AED and describe event documentation and battery and general maintenance of the AED.
* Defend the reasons for obtaining initial training in the use of the AED and the importance of continuing education.
* Defend the reason for maintenance of AEDs.
* Explain the rationale for administering nitroglycerin to a patient with chest pain or discomfort.
* Demonstrate the assessment and emergency medical care of a patient experiencing chest pain or discomfort.
* Demonstrate the application and operation of the AED.
* Demonstrate the maintenance of an AED.
* Demonstrate the assessment and documentation of patient response to the AED.
* Demonstrate the skills necessary to check an AED at the start of each shift.
* Perform the steps in facilitating the use of nitroglycerin for chest pain or discomfort.
* Demonstrate the assessment and documentation of patient response to nitroglycerin.
* Practice completing a prehospital care report for patients with cardiovascular emergencies.