FRCA Curriculum – Cardiac Arrest

Competence	Source Curriculum	Description
RC_BK_01	Basic	Lists the causes of a respiratory arrest, including but not limited to: Drugs, toxins Trauma Pulmonary infection Neurological disorders Muscular disorders
RC_BK_02	Basic	Lists the causes of a cardiac arrest, including but not limited to: Ischaemic heart disease Valvular heart disease Drugs Hereditary cardiac disease Cardiac conduction abnormalities Electrolyte abnormalities Electrocution Trauma Thromboembolism
RC_BK_03	Basic	Describes the basic principles of the ECG, and recognises arrhythmias including but not exclusively: Ventricular fibrillation Ventricular tachycardia Asystole Rhythms associated with pulseless electrical activity [PEA]
RC_IK_01	Intermediate	Recalls/describes the interpretation of arrhythmias seen in the peri-arrest period, including but not limited to: Narrow complex tachycardias Broad complex tachycardias Atrial fibrillation Paroxysmal SVT Bradycardia 1st 2nd and 3rd degree heart block
RC_BK_04	Basic	Discusses the mode of action of drugs used in the management of respiratory and cardiac arrest in adults and children, including but not limited to: Adrenaline Atropine Amiodarone Magnesium sulphate Naloxone
RC_BK_05	Basic	Identifies the doses of drugs, routes given [including potential difficulty with gaining intravenous access and how this is managed] and frequency, during resuscitation from a respiratory or cardiac arrest
RC_IK_02	Intermediate	Recalls/describes the pharmacology of drugs used to treat common arrhythmias, dosage and frequency, including but not limited to: Adenosine Digoxin Magnesium Beta-blockers Amiodarone Atropine
RC_IK_03	Intermediate	Recalls the indications for performing cardioversion and the energies used
RC_IK_04	Intermediate	Recalls/outlines the indication for, and principles of, pacing including percussion, external and transvenous
RC_BK_06	Basic	Explains the physiology underpinning expired air ventilation and external chest compressions
RC_BK_07	Basic	Explains the need for supplementary oxygen during resuscitation from a respiratory or cardiac arrest in adults and children
RC_BK_08	Basic	Lists advantages and disadvantages of different techniques for airway management during the resuscitation of adults and children, including but not limited to: Oro and nasopharyngeal airways Laryngeal Mask type supraglottic airways, including but not limited to: LMA, Proseal, LMA supreme, iGel Tracheal intubation
RC_BK_09	Basic	Explains the reasons for avoiding hyperventilation during resuscitation
RC_BK_10	Basic	Compares the methods by which ventilation can be maintained in a patient suffering a respiratory or cardiac arrest, using: Mouth to mask Self-inflating bag Anaesthetic circuit Mechanical ventilator
RC_BK_11	Basic	Explains the mechanism of defibrillation and the factors influencing the success of defibrillation
RC_BK_12	Basic	Recalls the energy used to defibrillate a patient
RC_BK_13	Basic	Discusses the principles of safely and effectively delivering a shock using both manual and automated defibrillator
RC_BK_14	Basic	Explains the need for continuous chest compressions during resuscitation from cardiac arrest once the trachea is intubated
RC_BK_15	Basic	Explains the need for minimising interruptions to chest compressions
RC_BK_16	Basic	Lists the reversible causes of cardiac arrest and their treatment, including but not limited to: Hypoxia Hypotension Electrolyte and metabolic disorders Hypothermia Tension pneumothorax Cardiac tamponade Drugs and toxins Coronary or pulmonary thrombosis
RC_BK_17	Basic	Recalls/describes the Adult and Paediatric Advanced Life Support algorithms
RC_BK_18	Basic	Discusses the specific actions required when managing a cardiac arrest due to: Poisoning Electrolyte disorders Hypo/hyperthermia Drowning Anaphylaxis Asthma Trauma Pregnancy [including peri-mortem Caesarean Section] Electrocution
RC_BK_19	Basic	Lists the signs indicating return of a spontaneous circulation
RC_BK_20	Basic	Lists the investigations needed after recovery from a respiratory or cardiac arrest and describes the potential difficulties with obtaining arterial blood samples and how this may be overcome in these patients
RC_BK_21	Basic	Discusses the principles of care required immediately after successful resuscitation from a respiratory or cardiac arrest
RC_BK_22	Basic	Discusses the importance of respecting the wishes of patients regarding end of life decisions
RC_BK_23	Basic	Outlines who might benefit from resuscitation attempts and the importance of knowing/accepting when to stop
RC_BK_24	Basic	Discusses the importance of respecting the wishes of relatives to be present during a resuscitation attempt
RC_IK_05	Intermediate	Recalls the indications for use of thrombolysis
RC_IK_06	Intermediate	Recalls/discusses the indications and principles of therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest
RC_IK_07	Intermediate	Outlines indications and principles of: Open chest cardiac compressions Resuscitative thoracotomy [Cross ref cardiothoracic]
RC_IK_08	Intermediate	Describes the principles of managing cardiac arrest in the prone position
RC_IK_09	Intermediate	Recalls/explains the difference in aetiology of cardiac arrest between adults and children
RC_IK_10	Intermediate	Describes how to recognize the sick/deteriorating ill child and what treatment should be initiated to reverse such deterioration and prevent, where possible, respiratory or cardiac arrest
RC_IK_11	Intermediate	Recalls the specific conditions likely to deteriorate to respiratory or cardiac arrest in children [e.g. meningococcal sepsis] and describes their initial management
RC_IK_12	Intermediate	Recalls/details the indications for, and use of, cuffed and uncuffed tubes in the critically ill child requiring tracheal intubation
RC_IK_13	Intermediate	Describes how to: Recognise supra-glottic airway obstruction and understands the indications/contra-indications of supra-glottic airway devices to bypass such obstruction Manage complications of tracheostomy in children [e.g. obstruction and displacement]
RC_IK_14	Intermediate	Outline the principles of safe inter-hospital transfer of the resuscitated patient