Many nurses, for various reasons, decide to advance their careers via specialized training and certification. One area of study is Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). The ACLS exam is thorough and extensive. For that reason, some nurses are apprehensive about taking the test. There are helpful tips available to prepare nurses for this exam. To tackle the common algorithms of ACLS memory aids,
. such as mnemonic devices, are very beneficial. Algorithms are procedures that are followed to help determine or diagnosis what the problem is and, therefore, the possible solution. When faced with an ACLS situation, employing a well-learned mnemonic device will help with memory recall to determine what to do next based upon the indicated next step of an algorithm. Memory props help trigger recall in the brain. When dealing with emergencies, the ability to recall procedures is a life-saving skill no nurse should be without. An example of a mnemonic device for ACLS is the five H's or the five T's. These letters stand for five words that begin with these two letters that need to be memorized. Every ACLS exam will demand nurses to understand those terms and other important information. Additional areas of knowledge required are pharmaceuticals and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills. During an ACLS episode, intravenous drugs are often administered, and knowing which drugs are needed in any given situation is crucial. Making a mistake during this process is life threatening. For a nurse studying for the ACLS exam, it all relies on CPR skills. The very cornerstone of ACLS is effective CPR. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation has its own mnemonic devices known as the ABCs. The ABCs of CPR are airway, breathing and circulation. Although it is important for nurses to study thoroughly for their ACLS exam, confidence while taking the test will determine the outcome. While all nurses looking to expand their area of expertise have to be well prepared, if they lack confidence during test taking, low scores follow. Some individuals are apprehensive about exams of any kind. Finding a good online source to practice and study so that they do not falter because of lack of confidence is important. There are many online practice sites, some of which are free, but most cost something. The best advice is to find a good source to study and practice for the ACLS exam. http://acls-algorithms.com/ or http://www.healthedsolutions.com/articles/acls-study-guide
