Post-Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Care

Primary clinician: Make contact with owner ASAP Immediate Care:

• Breathing

o Provide oxygen as needed to maintain SpO2 of 95-98%

• Circulation o Blood pressure monitoring o Continuous ECG monitoring if available: arrhythmias are common o Fluids: Routine use of large volumes of IV fluids is not indicated unless

hypovolaemia is evident. Otherwise at least maintenance fluid therapy should be provided if patient is unable to eat and drink

Supportive Care:

• Continuous monitoring until ambulatory o Respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, neurologic status o Written record of variables every 10 minutes until ambulatory, unless instructed

otherwise by clinician o Meticulous recording of procedures/events o Body temperature

! Monitor every 30 minutes until patient ambulatory ! If hypothermic, do not rewarm rapidly as hypothermia may be

cerebroprotective. Avoid active rewarming (with e.g. BAIR hugger), allow temperature to increase at 0.25 - 0.5 ºC/hour. Avoid hyperthermia.

• Clinical tests as required

o PCV/TP o Glucose o Electrolytes o Acid-base status

• Drugs

o Consider need for analgesia o Routine use of steroids is not advised

• Nursing care

o Oral care o Eye care o Turn body position of haemodynamically stable o Appropriate padding o Consider elevation/upward inclination of thorax to assist ventilation