ACLS Skills Session Checklists and Megacodes

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by James

Skills testing directions and verification checklists for ACLS/BLS scenarios, including an AED-driven CPR workflow and detailed step-by-step administration rules. The document provides BLS collapse-in-gym scenario steps and a BLS skills verification checklist, plus an ER airway management scenario focused on primary assessment, oxygenation targets, bag-mask ventilation rate, and escalation to an advanced airway. It also includes a tachyarrhythmia megacode SVT-to-VT/PEA progression with interventions, dosing, shock energy, and timing for rhythm checks.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Skills Testing Directions

BLS Scenario and Checklist

Airway Management Scenario and Checklist

Tachyarrhythmia Megacode Scenario

DIRECTIONS for Skills Testing: The test administrator, examiner, will read the case scenarios to the student and follow the checklists, marking each step Completed as the student works through each scenario. In order to have a step marked complete the student must demonstrate a solid grasp of BLS/ACLS conceptsand mechanics. The test administrator should not provide guidance to the student but may answer questions given the information provided in the scenario. Each scenario should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. In the event the administrator must guide the student through a step, the step must be counted as incomplete and the student should repeat the skills checklist. The student should receive feedback on areas needing improvement before retesting skills. *DISCLAIMER: Only a current certified ACLS provider can administer test. © 2019 United Medical Education 1 BLS SCENARIO (Test administrator dialogue provided in italics) You are at the gym running on the treadmill when you notice someone nearby yelling for help. Another gym goer has collapsed to the ground. 1. The examinee should secure the scene. (Scene is safe) 2. Assesses patient responsiveness. (No pulse present, no breaths observed) 3. Directs someone to call for help and get the AED. (Bystanders have gone to call 911 and get the AED) 4. Demonstrates correct CPR hand placement and body positioning over patient. 5. Demonstrates correct compression rate and depth, and allows for complete chest recoil. 6. Demonstrates opening the airway, gives effective breaths, and observes visible chest rise. 7. Have examinee perform a second round of CPR. (AED has arrived, switch providers giving compressions) 8. Demonstrates correct placement ofAED, without interrupting CPR. (AED analyzes rhythm) 9. Examinee clears patient for rhythm check and shock. (Shock delivered) 10. Examinee immediately returns to CPR after shock delivered. | BLS Skills Verification Checklist | | | | --- | --- | --- | | Skill Tested | Completed | | | | Yes | No | | Establish scene safety | | | | Assess patient responsiveness (check for pulse/breathing, no longer than 10 sec) | | | | Activates emergency response (calls for help/AED) | | | | Correct CPR hand placement and positioning | | | | Correct CPR rate (100-120/min.) and depth (2 inches) | | | | Allows for complete recoil of chest between compressions | | | | Airway opened appropriately (head tilt/chin lift, jaw thrust) | | | | Delivers 2 breaths (each over 1 second) with visible chest rise | | | | Correct AED placement without disrupting compressions | | | | Clear of patient for rhythm analysis and shock | | | | Compressions immediately resumed after shock | | | © 2019 United Medical Education 2 AIRWAY MANAGEMENT SCENARIO (Test administrator dialogue provided in italics) You are a nurse in the ER examining a 20-year-old female patient who presents with shortness of breath. The patient states between breaths she has a history of asthma and feels like she can ’t breathe. 1. Examinee performs primary assessment: assessing airway, breathing, and circulation.(Airway is patent; patient is breathing rapidly, 30 RR; wheezing heard bilaterally on auscultation; 88% O2 saturation; 115 HR; 130/84 BP) 2. Activates emergency response. (Respiratory therapist has been called and is on their way) 3. Provides supplemental oxygen to patient. (Ask examinee what is appropriate oxygenation level?) Examinee states 94% or greater. You administer supplemental oxygen to the patient but oxygen saturation is not improving. Respiratory therapy arrives and administers albuterol treatment. There is no marked improvement in patient’s condition and vital signs begin to deteriorate. Patient is gasping for air. 4. Demonstrates effective ventilation using bag-mask. Ask examinee what is correct ventilation rate and speed? One breath every 6 seconds, over 1 second each. 5. Examinee recognizes the need

FAQs

What should the test administrator do during skills testing, and how are steps marked completed?

The administrator reads the case scenarios and follows the checklists, marking each step completed only when the examinee demonstrates solid BLS/ACLS understanding and mechanics. Guidance should not be provided, though questions based on the scenario may be answered. If the administrator must guide a step, that step is counted as incomplete and the student repeats the skills checklist.

What are the key CPR performance requirements in the BLS scenario checklist?

The checklist requires correct CPR hand placement and positioning, a compression rate of 100–120 per minute with a depth of about 2 inches, and full chest recoil between compressions. It also requires appropriate airway opening, effective breaths with visible chest rise, correct AED placement without interrupting compressions, and immediate CPR resumption after shock delivery.

How does the tachyarrhythmia megacode scenario progress from SVT to shockable rhythms and rhythm checks?

The scenario includes identification of SVT, then vagal maneuvers and adenosine dosing (6 mg, then 12 mg) with no improvement. It then transitions to synchronized cardioversion at 100 J, after which the patient becomes pulseless. The examinee identifies VT as shockable, defibrillates and commences CPR, and at the 2-minute rhythm check identifies PEA from the provided rhythm strip.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by James