Cardiac Arrest

Describe the pathway of a cardiac arrest (9 marks)

A bystander should call emergency services and stimulate and assess the patient's response. The bystander should open the patient's airway and check their breathing and then complete five rescue breaths. The bystander should then check the patients pulse as they should check for signs of circulation. Then the bystander should perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which consists of 15 chest compressions and two rescue breaths. The bystander should continue this until the arrival of emergency services. When the emergency services arrive they will use a defibrillator to assess the patient's heart rhythm. If the patient is shockable the emergency services will complete one shock and then complete two minutes of CPR and then repeat this. Then the emergency services will then administer adrenaline to the patient and then complete two minutes of CPR, the emergency services should then complete this until the patient's heart returns to regular rhythm. However, if the heart fails to return to regular rhythm the resuscitation team will declare the time of death, following a conscientious and competent effort to give the patient CPR and treatment.

What is meant by cardiac arrest and how is it caused? (3 marks).

A cardiac arrest happens when the heart stops pumping blood around the body. The most common cause of a cardiac arrest is ventricular fibrillation. Also a lack of oxygen can also cause a cardiac arrest additionally conditions such as a heart attack can also lead to a cardiac arrest.

What is meant by a cardiac arrest? (1 mark).

A cardiac arrest is when the heart stops pumping blood around the body.

Describe the impact of a cardiac arrest (6 marks)

A cardiac arrest may have a physical impact upon the patient as they may find it difficult to manage changes to the diet. A cardiac arrest may have an intellectual impact upon the patient as there may be cognitive implications following a cardiac arrest due to experiencing hypoxia. A cardiac arrest may have an emotional impact upon the patient as they may feel anxious and worried following a near death experience. A cardiac arrest may also have a social impact upon the patient as they may no longer wish to engage in social activities. A cardiac arrest may also have a financial impact upon the patient as they may need to take time off work as a part of their recovery.

Explain the management of cardiac arrest (4 marks).

Smoking should be stopped or avoided for patients who previously smoked and alcohol consumptions should not exceed the recommended daily limits. Diet and lifestyle changes may need to occur to reduce the chance of further cardiac arrests and to treat conditions that may have caused the cardiac arrest. Treatment for the condition that caused arrest may be life-life long. Patients should understand and follow their healthcare providers' instructions. Survivors may reach a relatively complete recovery with the help of neurological, physical and cardiac rehabilitation.

Outline the medical interventions which could be used to treat a cardiac arrest (3 marks).

The first medical intervention is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to avoid the individual suffering permanent damage to their brain. This entails chest compressions to keep the circulation going and rescue breathing which inflates the lungs. The second medical intervention is a defibrillator which gives the heart a controlled electric shock.

Describe the patient centred approach for a patient who has experienced a cardiac arrest (8 marks)

The medical staff will put the patient at the centre of the care process. This may entail the medical staff making decisions for the patient. The medical staff will have to show the patient compassion as they may feel vulnerable following a cardiac arrest. The medical staff will have to treat the patient with dignity and respect such as using sheets to cover up the patient, which will gain a greater involvement in their own recovery care. A doctor will have to support the patient to make health and lifestyle changes to cope with the effects of a cardiac arrest or manage the conditions which may have caused the cardiac arrest. Care professionals will try and recognise ways in which the patient can take responsibility for their own health care such as offering the patient a structured education to programme to give them the best chance of developing the skills they need to effectively recover from their cardiac arrest. However, if the patient is a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) patient, health professionals must respect the DNR patient's wishes, following the informed decision they have made previous to the cardiac arrest.

Describe the symptoms of a cardiac arrest (4 marks).

The symptoms of a cardiac arrest include lack of movement, lack of breathing, loss of consciousness and an absent pulse and blood pressure.