What Will I Learn in My Online PALS Course?

Why pediatric advanced life support online certification is so critical
Trauma is the leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 17. Furthermore, trauma and head injuries in children can quickly progress to cardiac arrest and possibly death. However, if a first responder has received certification in a pediatric advanced life support (PALS) course, they can conduct a general primary assessment and choose an effective direction of treatment to increase a child’s chance of survival. Additionally, a PALS-certified first responder is able to complete a secondary assessment, which checks the patient from head to toe to get a better understanding of his or her injuries.

Your ABCs…or CABs
The revised PALS course includes explanation and specific direction as to how to conduct a primary assessment on a child. It begins with CABDE: Circulation, Airway, Breathing, Defibrillate/Disability, and Exposure.

Circulation: A first responder will need quickly assess circulation in under 10 seconds and initiate chest compressions if a patient has no evidence of circulation.
Airway: As a first responder you’ll look for a clear airway that is open and unobstructed or a maintainable airway that is kept open with simple measures. However, an airway that is either closed or not maintainable requires advanced interventions.
Breathing: Monitoring adequate respirations, especially if ventilation assistance is required, includes the use of waveform capnography that measures expired carbon dioxide. PALS also now recommends avoiding oxygen saturations over 99% so this measure also is more closely monitored
Defibrillate/Disability: The immediate application of defibrillation can be life-saving in cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation and other arrhythmias, but the accurate application is critical to survival. Also, assessing neurologic signs such as a patient’s papillary response can reveal any issues with brainstem function.
Exposure: When assessing a child or infant, all clothing – including a diaper – must be removed in order for a first responder or medical professional to adequately assess the patient.

When it’s time to intervene
Upon finishing a PALS course, first responders are able to complete primary and secondary assessments for pediatric patients, determine patients’ conditions and will be able to identify which intervention is best.

Possible interventions include:

CPR
Supplemental oxygen (nasal cannula, face mask)
Assisted ventilation (bag-mask, endotracheal tube)
Electrocardiogram
Appropriate electrical therapy (defibrillation)
Pulmonary monitoring (pulse oximetry, tidal volume, capnography)
IV/IO access
Fluid bolus (isotonic crystalloids)
Laboratory studies (bedside glucose, arterial blood gasses, etc.)
Medications (epinephrine, albuterol, atropine, adenosine, etc.)

Health Ed Solutions offers the online pediatric advanced life support course for first responders and medical professionals who require certification, and other courses for individuals who want to be prepared in a medical emergency. Read more information about PALS classes.