ACLS Study Guide, 3e [Paperback]

Barbara J Aehlert RN BSPA (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 14, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0323046959 | ISBN-13: 978-0323046954 | Edition: 3

Written in a conversational style, the 3rd edition of the ACLS Study Guide features unique, user-friendly, and easy to remember treatment algorithms - totally revised to reflect the 2005 emergency cardiac care guidelines. Full-color throughout, it offers a complete, concise overview of advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS), acute coronary syndromes, and acute stroke. It also features easy-to-access information with Stop and Review quizzes in each chapter and a comprehensive pretest and posttest. New to this edition are a handy ACLS quick-reference fold-out card, a heart rate ruler, and more! In addition to being an outstanding study tool, the ACLS Study Guide, 3rd Edition is the official text for the American Safety and Health Institute ACLS certification course. For more information on ASHI courses, call 800-246-5101 or visit www.ashinstitute.com.

• A pretest and posttest, each containing 50 questions with answers and rationales, provide readers with opportunities to check comprehension prior to and after study.
• Chapter Objectives allow readers to preview the main points in each chapter.
• Quick Review boxes throughout the chapters and Stop and Review sections at the end of the chapters test reader comprehension of the material.
• Chapters 1-8 comprise a Preparatory section to provide the foundation for the case presentations in the second section. Ten case studies present real-life clinical situations enabling the reader to make decisions based on information in the Preparatory section.
• Consistent organization of case studies include Objective, Skills to Master, Rhythms to Master, Medications to Master, Related Text Chapters, Questions, Answers, Essential Actions, and Unacceptable Actions to aide in the study and mastery of material.

• Unique treatment algorithms - totally revised to reflect the 2005 emergency cardiac care guidelines - simplify the new treatment guidelines, making them easier to use and remember.
• Chapter on Stroke has now been expanded to include Special Resuscitation Situations.
• ACLS Pearl boxes contain key points and useful tips for clinical practice.
• Keeping it Simple boxes contain essential information in a clear and concise manner.
• A heart rate ruler is included to help determine heart rate while practicing ECG recognition.
• A 4 x 6 pocket-size quick-reference card with key ACLS algorithms is included for field-use.
• Vascular Access and Medications combined into one chapter to present venous circulation information with all relevant common medications used during a cardiac-related emergency.

Product Details

• Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: Mosby; 3 edition (September 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0323046959
• ISBN-13: 978-0323046954
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,559 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > Medical Books > Nursing > Emergency
  • #15 in Books > Medical Books > Allied Health Professions > Respiratory Therapy
  • #41 in Books > Medical Books > Nursing > Critical & Intensive care

More About the Author

I have been a registered nurse for more than 35 years with clinical experience in medical/surgical and critical care nursing and, for the past 24 years, in prehospital education. I am an active CPR, First Aid, Paramedic, ACLS, and PALS instructor and particularly enjoy teaching basic dysrhythmia recognition and ACLS to nurses and paramedics.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great learning tool for ACLS, September 4, 2007

By 

Lawrence H. Haselmaier "high up in banana tree" (Picayune, MS) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: ACLS Study Guide, 3e (Paperback)

For anyone coming into ACLS testing with medical knowledge but without being familiar with ACLS fundamentals, this book will make all the difference. I am a well-read pre-med with a bent on gaining medical knowledge, and I bought this book on a whim to better familiarize myself with emergency cardiac care. To give you an idea of the difference this book made, my pretest grade was 51%, my posttest grade was 88%, and when I took the Heartcode ACLS module, the nurse supervising was amazed at the time in which I completed it.

On the format, the presentation is detailed enough to provide substance to the more experienced reader while maintaining accessibility to the novice. It is also set in a format, layout, and color scheme that fosters memorization--essential for some parts of ACLS (meds, for me at least). Overall, a great buy, definitely worth your money.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good study aid., June 23, 2008

By 

D. Weisberg "kayak angler" (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: ACLS Study Guide, 3e (Paperback)

I'm a telemetry RN who took my first ACLS two years ago. I purchased this book to study for my renewal.

I liked the book's laminated handout that contains the algorithms. Also, the "putting it all together" section was very helpful for practicing the mega codes. But somehow I can't bring myself to give this book a 5-star rating. Why?

There's too much book. Like most nursing books, there is so much detail that when you hit reality you can't remember anything. Next time I may try the author's Rapid ACLS book.

Also, the BLS section was only one page -- not enough when you consider that adult BLS is still about 25% of the ACLS course (even though you must take a separate BLS class to get your card.

So here's my advice if you buy this book:

-- Focus on the laminated handout and on the "putting it all together" section

-- Most important algorithms: PEA/Asystole, Pulseless VFib/Vtach, Tachycardia (both narrow and wide QRS), and symptomatic Bradycardia.

-- Know the EKG patterns related to the above, as well as normal sinus.

-- During a code, the rhythms will change (e.g. Vtach to Asystole to PEA to Sinus) so you'll have to re-evaluate what to do with each change

-- Remember that if the patient has a pulse, don't do chest compressions

-- Drugs to know: epi, amiodarone, adenosine, atropine.

-- Drugs you probably don't need to know: vasopressin, dopamine, dobutamine, lidocaine.

-- In addition to knowing the drug doseages, you need to know how frequently you can give the drug, and if there's a limit to how much you can give

Good Luck!

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ACLS Study Guide 3rd ED, September 28, 2006

By 

Anne Mathews (Columbus, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: ACLS Study Guide, 3e (Paperback)

I love this book! The author sounds exactly like me...scared to death to take an ACLS course. I have just started using this book but so far it has helped to calm my fears/anxiety. I also have the American Heart Association book, but this one explains things very basically for those of us not in critical care and/or have no critical care experience. It gets to the point in an understandable way. I would recommend it to anyone!

Anne Mathews RN MSN FNP