ACLS MNEMONICS

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ACLS Mnemonics

V-Fib & Pulseless V-Tach
ZAP-ZAP-ZAP ELB: Zaps represent initial defibrillations. ELB = the order of medications to be given
1. Epinephrine
2. Lidocaine
3. Bretylium

Asystole
HAD2: Represents the causes & what to do 1st:
H = Hypovolemia, Hypoxia, Hyperkalemia, Hypothermia
A = Acidosis
D = Drug overdose
2 = reminds you to check for asystole in 2 leads to confirm

The word "asystole" gives you a clue as to the drugs to use to reverse asystole:
A = Atropine
E = Epinephrine

But to reverse asystole you need to reverse the word too, so:
E is 1st so epi is used 1st
A is last so use atropine 2nd

PEA

ITCH PAD : represents possible causes of PEA:
I = Infarction (myocardial)
T = Tension Pneumo Thorax
C = Cardiac Tamponade
H = Hypovolemia, Hypoxia, Hyperkalemia, Hypothermia (4-H club)

P = Pulmonary Embolism
A = Acidosis
D = Drug Overdose (tricyclics, digitalis, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers)

The acronym itself tells you how to treat:
P = treat underlying PROBLEM 1st
E = Epi 1 mg IV push q3 - 5 minutes
A = Atropine 1 mg IV push q 3 - 5 minutes

Bradycardia

AD in bradycardia
A = Atropine
D = Dopamine
The starting dose of atropine in bradycardia is half that of what is
used in asystole; remember this since bradycardia is only half as bad
as asystole.

Tachycardia (with a pulse)
Wide complex tach without serious signs & symptoms calls for the Wide sisters:
Lida, Pro & The Brat = Lidocaine; Procainamide; Bretylium
Wide complex tach of unk. cause
The 1st Wide sister calls her cousin:
Lida calls Addie (Lidocaine 1st drug used, then if needed, adenosine)

If this fails then call the rest of the sisters: Pro & The Brat

Drugs that can go down the ETT
2 NAVEL:
N = Nitroglycerine
A = Atropine
V = Valium
E = Epinephrine
L = Lidocaine
2 = reminds you to double the dose for ETT administration

[IMG SURVIVOR]

interesting, good stuff.