CPR BLS Course Question

[steezmonster]

Hi folks,

I am signed up for a Basic Life Support CPR course for Healthcare Professionals class tomorrow morning through the AHA at my local hospital.

For those of you who've done this before, I have a couple of questions...

1) Should I bring a pen and notebook to this class or is that something totally unnecessary?

2) I keep hearing about an exam I have to take. Is that a part of the class? I am told I will get an AHA textbook tomorrow. Who needs to take the exam? Do we get any sort of certification just for taking the class?

Thanks in advance.

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[NorthernLights1]

1.) Probably unnecessary. Do it if you see yourself wanting to review things, but the skills are not difficult.

2.) In the classes I've taken and helped with, the exam was administered at the end of the class. You pass = receive a cert card in a few weeks. If memory serves, I believe you can retake the exam if you don't pass the first time. You don't get anything for just taking the class and skipping the exam.

 

[cmyk]

I didn't need to take notes when I took the class last year. The manual and videos pretty much explain everything you need to know. There's a short exam at the end of the class that's required to get the card (I got my card the same day). I believe it was a multiple choice and practical exam.

 

[CoxMD]

These courses aren't intense enough to normally warrant taking notes. Just pay attention and you'll learn a great skill and pass the test.

 

[Bacchus]

You'll be fine, just pay attention. Know the ratios for breathing and compressions assisted and unassisted. Never disrupt CPR unless you're giving a shock. Push hard and push fast.

/testdone

 

[Mt Kilimanjaro]

Memorize the basic outline of this book and challenge the instructor at every opportunity.

http://www.amazon.com/Sudden-Death-Myth-Stefan-Timmermans/dp/1566397162

 

[The Buff OP]

Pretty much what everyone has said. It's all hands-on and they will be playing a video and you go along with it. Just memorize the ratios for adults, children, and infants. The test is short 20 questions.

 

[WTEngel]

The big emphasis is on minimal delay time in initiating compressions in the pulseless patient.

As others have said, know that your rate is AT LEAST 100/min (not about 100/min or less than 100/min) and know the different ratios for single rescuer adult/child/infant and 2 rescuer child/infant and you should be fine. There is more than this on the exam, but it is generally expected to be common sense. If your instructor is worth a darn you will be ok.

The exam is now 25 questions, and a minimum score of 84% is required. Of all the courses I have taught, very few have ever failed this exam, and the ones that did were not native english speakers, and did significantly better when I read the questions to them.

 

[The Buff OP]

The big emphasis is on minimal delay time in initiating compressions in the pulseless patient.

As others have said, know that your rate is AT LEAST 100/min (not about 100/min or less than 100/min) and know the different ratios for single rescuer adult/child/infant and 2 rescuer child/infant and you should be fine. There is more than this on the exam, but it is generally expected to be common sense. If your instructor is worth a darn you will be ok.

The exam is now 25 questions, and a minimum score of 84% is required. Of all the courses I have taught, very few have ever failed this exam, and the ones that did were not native english speakers, and did significantly better when I read the questions to them.

Are you a flight paramedic?

 

[WTEngel]

Are you a flight paramedic?

Yes.

 

[Ashley1989]

I've taught this class dozens of times and have only seen two people fail. If you're that worried take ten minutes to look at a chart with the ratios and basic assessment and you're good to go. The test is not difficult at all, so don't worry and good luck!

 

[lindaxak]

The manual and videos pretty much explain everything you need to know.