Nurse Tips

Nursing Tips: Surviving the Night Shift

Working through the night isn’t something for the faint of heart. Add in the pressure of delivering care that could potentially mean the difference between life and death, and you’ve got quite a stressful situation. Whether you’re new to the nursing field, were recently assigned to a

Benefits of Pursuing Group Online Medical Certification

Working in the health care field almost always involves working together with others as a team. And if you’re on a team, chances are most or all of you will be required to become certified, whether it’s advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), pediatric advanced cardiac life support (PALS)

How To Choose The Best Online Medical Certification Provider

If you’ve chosen the medical field as your career of choice, chances are you’ll be needing to obtain certain certifications in order to be qualified to do your job. Many of these credentials – such as the ACLS, PALS, BLS and CPR – can be easily, conveniently and cost-effectively obtained

Why Online ACLS Recertification is the Way to Go

When it comes to working in the medical field, the workload and responsibilities can be overwhelming. In fact, it can be difficult to find time to eat lunch, let alone schedule classes to renew your required medical certifications. The good news is that while this is mandatory, there are options

7 Time Management Tips for Nurses

Without question, one of the biggest challenges nurses face (particularly new ones) is managing their time. As a health care professional, it’s critical that you remain at the top of your game at all times while on duty. After all, your patients’ lives could literally depend on it. Unlike

3 Healthcare Trends to Watch for in 2017

If one thing is a constant in the healthcare field, it’s that things are always changing. With new and evolving regulations, emerging technologies and advanced treatment options, there are few industries quite as dynamic and exciting to be a part of. If you are currently in or plan on

What is BLS Certification for Healthcare Providers?

Most healthcare providers in just about every capacity are required to obtain a BLS – or Basic Life Support – certification. As its name indicates, a BLS certification ensures that the individual completing the coursework and passing the exam receives a solid foundation of the knowledge and skills necessary to revive, resuscitate

ACLS Featured

7 Steps to Successfully Completing Your Medical Certification Online

Medical certifications like ACLS, PALS, BLS or CPR are a necessity for many positions in healthcare. But for most busy professionals, finding the time to sit in a classroom is quite challenging. Thankfully there’s now the option to obtain these credentials online, from the comfort of your own home

ACLS

7 Awesome Study Tips for your ACLS Course

Studying diligently for your ACLS, BLS, CPR or PALS certification is critical to achieving your goal of a positive outcome. For those seeking their certification via online coursework, finding the time, energy and motivation to actually crack down and study can be challenging – especially when you’re juggling other responsibilities,

ACLS Featured

6 Reasons to Get Your Medical Certifications Online

As any dedicated health care professional knows, education doesn’t end when you get your degree. With new and improved technology, changing regulations and ever-evolving practices, continuing education and ongoing recertification becomes par for the course. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for achieving this goal. One of the most

AHA Guidelines

2015 ACLS AHA Guidelines Update: Everything You Need To Know

The American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines Update released in 2015 contains several changes in language and a few changes in technique that are specific to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC). These major updates occur every 5 years, so the next AHA Guidelines Update will be released in

ProMedCert

Introducing ProMedCert and Online Medical Certifications

Our entire team is incredibly excited to announce the launch of Professional Medical Certifications (ProMedCert). Our goal is to radically improve online education for healthcare professionals. We believe the time of a medical professional is invaluable, and if we can kind find ways to make your life easier, we are

ACLS Drugs

Epinephrine

Epinephrine is a vasopressor used in ACLS to treat a number of conditions including cardiac arrest, bradycardia and anaphylaxis. Epinephrine acts in the body as a hormone and neurotransmitter to regulate the heart rate and the diameter of blood vessels.

ACLS Glossary

Primary ACLS Survey (ABCDE)

The Primary Assessment is utilized either on an unconscious patient after a BLS assessment or on a conscious patient where the BLS assessment is not typically required (in the case of cardiac or respiratory arrest). The primary ACLS survey is included in every ACLS algorithm. The Primary Survey uses the

ACLS Drugs

Amiodarone

Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic agent used in ACLS to treat VF or pulseless VT that does not respond to treatment with defibrillation, CPR, or vasopressors.

Hs and Ts

Hydrogen Ions (Acidosis)

Acidosis (Hydrogen Ions) is an improper pH level caused by too much acid (lactic acidosis) in the body. Acidosis can be either respiratory or metabolic.

ACLS Drugs

Atropine

Atropine is an antimuscarinic medication used in ACLS to treat Bradycardia. Atropine functions in reversing cholinergic-mediated slowing of the heart rate.

Hs and Ts

Hypokalemia (Potassium)

Hypokalemia is too little (hypo) potassium in the body. Hypokalemia can be identified with flattened T-waves, prominent U-waves and occasionally-widened QRS-waves.

Hs and Ts

Hypovolemia

What is Hypovolemia? A sudden and significant decrease in the volume of blood and fluids in the body. What are the Potential Causes of Hypovolemia? • Blood loss (external or internal) • Inadequate intake of fluids • Excessive vomiting of diarrhea What are the Indicators of Hypovolemia? • ECG: Rapid rate with narrow QRS

Hs and Ts

Hyperkalemia (Potassium)

Hyperkalemia is too much (hyper) potassium in the body. Excess potassium levels can contribute to cardiac arrest. The main indicator for Hyperkalemia or excess potassium is a patient showing tall, peaked T-waves.

Hs and Ts

Hypoxia

Hypoxia is when the body is deprived of a sufficient supply of oxygen. It is a contributing cause to cardiac arrest. Adequate ventilation and oxygenation is vital to reverse Hypoxia.

ACLS Drugs

Lidocaine

Lidocaine is an antiarrhythmic agent utilized in ACLS to treat VT/VF if amiodarone is not available. Lidocain has been in use for many years, but has no proven efficacy in the short or long term treatment of patients in cardiac arrest.

ACLS Drugs

Dopamine

Dopamine is an vasopressor used in ACLS to treat Bradycardia and Hypotension. Dopamine acts as a second-line drug specifically when Atropine fails or is inappropriate.

ACLS Drugs

Adenosine

Adenosine is an ACLS drug that causes a short-term blockade of the AV node within the heart which with patients with SVT, can restore normal sinus rhythms.

Hs and Ts

Tension Pneumothorax

Tension Pneumothorax is when air enters the pleural space (small area between the thin covering that cushions the lungs) but is unable to exit, causing a buildup. The buildup causes a shift in the intrathoracic structure which can lead to cardiac arrest.