Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Recertification

Course Name

Contact Hours: 6 (an estimated time frame devoted to a course of study from start to finish that can vary from student to student)

Course Description

The PALS course is designed for healthcare providers who act in participation or directing the resuscitation of children, who have different likely causes and methods to revive than adults. Techniques are applicable in or outside of the hospital setting. This course is prepared for people who have passed the PALS exam before and is shorter than the full PALS Certification course.

Prerequisite

You must already hold an PALS provider card (current or expired) before taking this course. If your provider card expired more than 2 years ago, we recommend you take the full PALS certification course.

Please note: This recertification course is online and is not an onsite program.

Outcome

As a result of taking this class:

Student understands steps and processes necessary to increase chances of survival for a cardiac arrest

Learns all concepts shown in Outline

Student will receive PALS provider card PDF file immediately after completion of the course

Assessment

Students demonstrate their knowledge of course work by successfully completing a multiple-choice exam

Outline

Unit 1: General Concepts of PALS

(Introduction)

Unit 2: Evaluation of Child

Review methods of evaluating child state and overview intervention techniques

Unit 3: Team Dynamics

Learn resuscitation procedures in single-provider and multiple-provider scenarios

Unit 4: Recognition of Respiratory Distress/Failure

Recognize signs of respiratory distress that could deteriorate into respiratory failure if not addressed

Unit 5: Management of Respiratory Distress/Failure

Actions to overcome each type of respiratory distress

Unit 6: Recognition of Shock

Shock is a condition that occurs when oxygen and nutrient delivery to the tissues is inadequate

Unit 7: Management of Shock

The goals in management of shock are to improve oxygen delivery to the tissues

Unit 8: Recognition/Management of Bradycardia

Bradycardia is defined as a heart rate slower than normal for the child’s age and activity level

Unit 9: Recognition/Management of Tachycardia

Tachycardia is a faster than normal heart rhythm that can be tolerated but may deteriorate to shock or cardiac arrest

Unit 10: Recognition/Management of Cardiac Arrest

Recognize the cardiac arrest rhythms

Unit 11: Pediatric Post Resuscitation Management

Avoid shock and other relapse after resuscitation

Unit 12: Pharmacology in Resuscitation

Review pharmacological options, doses, possible side effects and other considerations

Unit 13: Rhythm Recognition

(Appendix) illustration of different rhythms shown through the course