PRECOURSE PREPARATION

• All students must have a manual prior to class, during class, and after class. If you do not have a provider manual, please email Maria at CPRmobile.me@gmail.com.

• There will be content that we test on that will not be covered in class. Please use the precourse work to identify gaps in your knowledge and remediate these gaps PRIOR to class.

• All testing scenarios can be found in the Appendix of the provider manual. Please review the Appendix to become familiar with the AHA's testing criteria.

The following segment is quoted from page 4 of your 2025 American Heart Association (AHA) Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Provider Manual.

Precourse Preparation

• To pass the PALS Provider Course, you must prepare before the course. Do the following:

• Take the precourse self-assessment and complete the online video prework

• Make sure you are proficient in BLS skills

• Practice identifying and interpreting core ECG rhythms

• Study basic pharmacology and know when to use each medication

• Practice applying your knowledge to clinical scenarios

Precourse Self-Assessment and Video Prework

Complete the precourse self-assessment at eLearning.heart.org/courses before you take the PALS Provider Course. (Refer to the Student Resources section for details about how to access this resource.) Print your certificate of completion and score report and bring them with you to class.

Because PALS Provider Course does not teach algorithms, ECG recognition, pharmacology, or BLS skills in detail, use the precourse self-assessment to identify any deficiencies in your knowledge of these topics. The precourse self-assessment will summarize your strengths and weaknesses. Study the applicable content in the PALS Provider Manual or other supplementary resources.

ECG Rhythm Identification

You must be able to identify and interpret the following core rhythms during case scenario practice with simulations and case scenario tests:

• Normal sinus rhythm

• Sinus bradycardia

• Sinus tachycardia (ST)

• Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)

• Ventricular tachycardia (VT)

• Ventricular fibrillation (VF)

• Asystole

• Pulseless electrical activity (PEA)

Basic Pharmacology

You must know basic information about medications used in their PALS algorithms, including the indications, contraindications, and methods of administration. You will need to know which medication(s) should be used on the basis of the clinical situation.

The pharmacology section of the precourse self-assessment will help you evaluate and refresh your knowledge of medications used in the course. I f you have difficulty with this section of the precourse self-assessment, study the PALS Provider. Manual and PALS Reference Card. This information can also be found in the Handbook of ECC (sold separately).

Practical Application of Knowledge to Clinical Scenarios

Be familiar with the PALS algorithms so that you can apply them to clinical scenarios but note that the PALS Provider Course does not teach the details of each algorithm. You can find more information in the PALS Provider Manual, PALS student resources at eLearning.heart.org/courses, and the Handbook of ECC.

(end quote)

IN-CLASS STRUCTURE, SKILLS, & TOPICS

BLS REVIEW

• Relief of choking for conscious and unconscious patients

• CPR and AED as a single-rescuer and as part of a multi-rescuer team

• "Rescue Breaths" for adults and pediatrics

PALS CARDIAC ARREST

• Rapid Manual Defibrillation

  • Precharging the monitor and pre-checking a pulse

  • Recognizing shockable vs non-shockable rhythms (compressions must not be interrupted for more than 10 seconds when doing this)

• IV/IO access

• Medications for cardiac arrest

• Simple airway adjuncts

• H&T's - especially as they relate to PEA

SYMPTOMATIC BRADYCARDIA

• Treat reversible causes, atropine, epinephrine, and transcutaneous pacing

SYMPTOMATIC TACHYCARDIA

• Treat reversible causes, vagal maneuvers, adenosine, and synchronized cardioversion

MEGACODE

• Manage a patient (manikin) that starts with symptomatic bradycardia/tachycardia and goes into cardiac arrest

• Successfully play the role as a Team Lead

• Successfully play the role of a Team Member

AIRWAY MANAGEMENT

• Rescue breaths and simple airway adjuncts (NPA/OPA)

• Recognizing respiratory failure and indications for advanced airways

RECOGNIZING AND TREATING RESPIRATORY EMERGENCIES

Know the signs/symptoms and medications associated with the following respiratory etymologies:

• Upper

• Lower

• Lung tissue

• Disordered control of breathing

RECOGNIZING AND TREATING CIRCULATORY COLLAPSE

Know the signs/symptoms and medications associated with the following types of shock:

• Hypovolemic Shock

• Distributive Shock

• Obstructive Shock

• Cardiogenic Shock

WRITTEN EXAM

• >84%

• Open notes/AHA resources

• Consider bringing your reading glasses

Bring a snack!

REMEDIATION

Insufficient SELF-remediation (studying) often results in the need for CLASSROOM-remediation (retaking the classroom portion). If the student is not able to demonstrate classroom proficiency by the AHA standards, the student will not be issued a certification and there will be no refund. The instructor will provide the student a checklist of proficiency criteria that need remediation. Please be familiar with the Appendix (testing criteria) of your provider manual.

• The student is expected to self-remediate (study) for a minimum of 2 weeks prior to attempting another class.

• The student must re-complete both online components. The self-assessment must have scores >90% in all categories.

• The student can remediate in the classroom for free (one time) if they are willing to be put on a waiting list (class is capped at 4 students).