EMS 220 - Paramedic Cardiology I

Offered FL
Lecture- 1
1 credit hrs/1 contact hrs
Prerequisite: Completion of all EMS courses with a “C” or better (2.0 out of a 4.0 scale)
Corequisite: EMS 200 - Paramedic I, EMS 210 - Paramedic Pharmacology I, EMS 240 - Paramedic Clinical I

Cardiovascular anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and electrophysiology are presented to the paramedic student. Emphasis is placed on rhythm interpretation, recognition of life-threatening arrhythmias, electrical intervention and other pre-hospital patient management strategies.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Describe the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system.
Relate signs and symptoms and pathophysiology of common disorders of the cardiovascular system.
Identify cardiovascular disorders as evaluated by physical assessment findings.
Describe the mechanism involved in voluntary and involuntary regulation of the cardiovascular system.
Describe ion movement during depolarization and repolarization and factors which influence ECG findings.
List the components of the conduction system and describe inherent properties of each component.
Correlate the sequence of electrical events in the heart to the cardiac cycle.
Using the ECG interpretation format, identify waves, measure intervals, and calculate rates.
List ECG characteristics, identify rhythm, discuss hemodynamic changes, and list significance and treatments for each of the following rhythms and arrhythmias:
- Sinus rhythms
- Atrial rhythms
- AV blocks
- Ventricular rhythms
- Pacemaker rhythms
Given a wide variety of actual, textbook, or computer-generated ECG strips, accurately identify the rhythm, differentiate between the various rhythms, and verbally or in writing give the treatment modality for each with life threatening arrhythmias identified with 100% accuracy.