Most beside professionals take a basic rhythm course early in their training. But did it all make sense the first time? Or was it like learning another language?

And actually the same thing goes for ACLS certification. The first time someone takes the course it is a lot! Rhythms are reviewed and protocols are often memorized. But did they really understand all those drug therapies and how they worked?

For the bedside professional, it is important to elevate your skills in these areas. And that is what this course is about. You have gained some bedside experience, been watching monitors, and have been in some Code Blue or Rapid Response situations. Now, let’s review even more rhythms, provide needed clarification, and expand your scope of knowledge and excellence in patient care.

This course will start with a review of the conduction system, intervals, and waveforms. Then the physiological causes of dysrhythmias such as automaticity and reentry. And the effects of select drugs and electrolyte imbalances leading to proarrhythmic effects.

A multitude of rhythm strips reinforcing your interpretation skills are included throughout the course. The management of dysrhythmias will be covered extensively which includes drug therapy with a focus on those used in ACLS, electrical management at the bedside, and invasive procedures such as EP studies, types of implantable defibrillators, and when ablation is indicated.

With the wide complex rhythms, it is important to have a basic understanding of the 12-Lead ECG and how the presence of bundle branch blocks is recognized. The various Leads of I, V6, and V1 are reviewed with sample lead configurations in the text. In addition, the patterns of aberration and ventricular tachycardia are included in Lead V1.

In a basic rhythm course, pacemakers are generally introduced. But with the advanced technology we have today, they can be confusing. In order to expand knowledge, pacemaker terms and rhythm strips of normal and abnormal function are included for transcutaneous, single and dual lead, and biventricular pacemakers.

In ACLS, pulseless electrical activity is generally caused by the H’s and T’s. The etiology, clinical manifestations, and management are reviewed for each one and includes the abnormal rhythms which may be seen and changes on the 12-Lead ECG.

The focus of this course is to present the information in a way that is easy to understand, retain, and utilize at the bedside. The comprenhensive text contains all waveforms, rhythm strips, 12-Lead ECGs, and diagrams and follows the voice-over-point modules.

PDFs are available for each module which can be printed or saved to your computer for future reference. During the registration process for the course, an option is also available to purchase a physical textbook.

Listed below are the topics covered in this comprehensive course to take your knowledge and skill to the next level of competency in your practice.

Dysrhythmias
• Bundle branch block recognition
• Sinus dysrhythmia
• Sinus arrest and block
• Sick sinus syndrome
• Heart blocks
• Ventricular standstill
• AV dissociation
• Atrial rhythms
• Aberration
• Atrial tachycardia
• AV nodal reentry
• Wolff-Parkinson-White
• Ventricular rhythms
• Wide complex tachycardias
• Parasystoles
• Pacemaker rhythms

Pharmacology review
• Atropine
• Dopamine (Intropin)
• Epinephrine
• Amiodarone (Cordarone)
• Lidocaine (Xylocaine)
• Magnesium sulfate
• Diltiazem (Cardizem)
• Adenosine (Adenocard)
• Nitroglycerine
• Norepinephrine (Levophed)
• Dobutamine (Dobutrex)