ACLS review

201.  AHA concludes that it is reasonable to administer oxygen the first 6 hours after ACS event.  Afterwards there is no clinical benefit except in certain circumstances.  What are those circumstances?

Patients with continuing/recurrent chest pain or hemodynamic instability

Patients with over pulmonary congestion

Patients with oxygen saturations below 90%

202.  What are the most common symptoms of myocardial ischemia?

Retrosternal chest pain

Chest discomfort spreading to the shoulders, neck, one or both arms, or jaw

Chest discomfort that spreads to the back or between the shoulders

Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, or nausea

Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest lasting several minutes

Unexplained shortness of breath which may occur with or without chest discomfort

203.  What are the AHA characteristics of high-risk unstable angina/NSTEMI?

Ischemic ST-segment depression of 0.5mm or greater or dynamic T-wave inversion with pain or discomfort

Nonpersistent or transient ST elevation of 0.5mm or greater for less than 20 minutes

204. What are some major contraindications for the administration of aspirin for a patient presenting with ACS?

The major contraindications for the administration of aspirin are a true aspirin allergy and active GI bleeding.


Reviewed 2/28/16