PALS Update/Renewal

Pediatric Advanced Life Support

Pre course Requirements

You should prepare for the course as follows:

1. BLS competency: Be prepared to pass the 1- and 2-Rescuer Child BLS With AED and 1- and 2-Rescuer Infant BLS Skills Tests. You will not be taught how to do CPR or how to use an AED during the course. You must know this in advance. The resuscitation scenarios require that your BLS skills and knowledge are current. Review and understand all 2010 BLS guidelines, especially as they relate to pediatric patients. You may find this information in the BLS for Healthcare Providers Student Manual or in other publications based on the 2010 AHA Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (see www.heart.org/cpr).
2. Precourse Self-Assessment (required): Complete the Precourse Self-Assessment on the Student Website and print your score; bring the printout of your score with you to the PALS Course. This test consists of 3 sections: ECG rhythm identification, pharmacology, and practical application. Use this assessment to identify areas where you need to increase your knowledge (see www.heart.org/eccstudent - you will need to enter a code located at the bottom of page ii of your provider manual).
3. PALS algorithms and flowcharts: Be familiar with the PALS algorithms and flowcharts so that you can apply them to clinical scenarios. Note that the PALS Course does not present the details of each algorithm. Review the 12 learning station competency checklists in the appendix section of the PALS Provider Manual.
4. Supplement your knowledge: Review and understand the information in the PALS Provider Manual and on the Student Website. Pay particular attention to the systematic approach to pediatric assessment, the evaluate-identify-intervene model, and the management of respiratory and circulatory abnormalities.

The American Heart Association strongly promotes knowledge and proficiency in BLS, ACLS, and PALS and has developed instructional materials for this purpose. Use of these materials in an educational course does not represent course sponsorship by the American Heart Association, and any fees charges for such a course do not represent income to the Association.

This activity has been approved by the Montana Nurses’ Association , which is accredited as an approver of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center (ANCC) Commission on Accreditation. (MNA-05-CMC13) Approval as a provider refers to recognition of education activities only and does not imply ANCC Commission Accreditation or Montana Nurses Association approval or endorsement of any product.