Best way to study for ACLS?

[NewYorkDoctors]

Hello.

I figured I would read the AHA manual once, take some brief notes on some of the more nitty gritty details (doses of the meds, the timing of breaths for cardiac vs respiratory arrest, etc), do some online ACLS pretest questions, and "simulate" the Megacode sheets in the back.

Then go to the class, practice, and then do the tests.

Does this sound like a decent way to approach this?

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[jdh71]

Hello.

I figured I would read the AHA manual once, take some brief notes on some of the more nitty gritty details (doses of the meds, the timing of breaths for cardiac vs respiratory arrest, etc), do some online ACLS pretest questions, and "simulate" the Megacode sheets in the back.

Then go to the class, practice, and then do the tests.

Does this sound like a decent way to approach this?

that's overkill, so yeah, it's fine

 

[NewYorkDoctors]

that's overkill, so yeah, it's fine

Yes I figured as much. The various online practice tests only seemed to ever ask very simple, concept-based questions

 

[survivordo]

The best way to study for ACLS is just to do the pretest and look over some of the things you got wrong then go to class. You should be able to pick it all up on that day...

Survivor DO

 

[NewYorkDoctors]

Thanks for your advice. Will do.

 

[umean2tellme]

I liked the acls article on uptodate.

 

[gutonc]

Wait.... Study? For ACLS? I wasn't aware you could fail it.

 

[survivordo]

Wait.... Study? For ACLS? I wasn't aware you could fail it.

The true ACLS test is if you sh** your pants or not when you run your first code 🙂

Survivor DO

 

[Trifling Jester]

Hello.

I figured I would read the AHA manual once, take some brief notes on some of the more nitty gritty details (doses of the meds, the timing of breaths for cardiac vs respiratory arrest, etc), do some online ACLS pretest questions, and "simulate" the Megacode sheets in the back.

Then go to the class, practice, and then do the tests.

Does this sound like a decent way to approach this?

The first step is to take your own pulse...

 

[NewYorkDoctors]

okay I have taken a pulse.

I also went through the material and did the pretest online and i feel like I have a solid grasp of it.

Quick minor question

The first day class is 4 hours. That is a lecture right? Or lecture + quiz?

The second day is (up to) 8 hours and that is the Megacode simulation right?

Thanks

 

[Mr hawkings]

okay I have taken a pulse.

I also went through the material and did the pretest online and i feel like I have a solid grasp of it.

Quick minor question

The first day class is 4 hours. That is a lecture right? Or lecture + quiz?

The second day is (up to) 8 hours and that is the Megacode simulation right?

Thanks

Day 1 is lecture+practice senarios+BLS updates.
The only quiz you have to do is the online self-test which they encourage you to do before you take the course. There is no passing score for this but you have to bring in your printed score report with you. I've been told that they compare this to your final day test to see how much they actually taught you so its purely for them. It is pretty good practice for the real test though.
Day 2 is the megacode and the test plus BLS review. You will do several codes as a team member and at least one as the team leader.

 

[NewYorkDoctors]

Thanks very much.

 

[gasflea]

I teach acls - I like your original plan... the new written test is much more difficult and some people come close to failing, although I have never had anyone actually fail. Mainly you need to check the boxes at the megacode scenarios; follow a clear algorithm, make sure adequate compressions are happening, think of reversible causes, etc. Don't forget your postresuscitation care too...