Foundations of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) — PickAClass
⏱ 3h 📚 30 lessons

Foundations of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

Learn the essential protocols of basic and advanced cardiac life support to confidently recognize, assess, and manage life-threatening cardiovascular emergencies.

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About this course

Responding to a cardiovascular emergency requires rapid, decisive action and a clear understanding of life support protocols. Developing a strong theoretical foundation in resuscitation guidelines is the first step toward preparedness in critical situations. This text-only course guides you through the foundational principles of both Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), transitioning from simple chest compressions to analyzing complex cardiac rhythms and understanding pharmacological interventions. What you'll learn: - Understand the fundamental steps of the adult chain of survival and basic life support protocols. - Identify key cardiac arrest rhythms and the appropriate electrical therapy interventions. - Learn the primary pharmacological agents used during resuscitation and their administration routes. - Master the principles of airway management, including ventilation techniques and advanced airway protocols. - Apply structured assessment frameworks to systematically evaluate and stabilize critically ill patients. - Explore the importance of team dynamics, communication, and post-cardiac arrest care in a resuscitation setting. The course begins with core definitions and basic life support concepts before progressing to advanced algorithms, drug therapies, and post-resuscitation care scenarios. You will build your knowledge through detailed written explanations, conceptual breakdowns, and step-by-step protocol reviews. This course is designed for healthcare students, entry-level medical professionals, or anyone seeking a comprehensive introduction to cardiac life support principles. No prior advanced medical training is required. Begin reading today to build your foundational knowledge of life-saving cardiac protocols.

Course contents

6 modules · 30 lessons · 3h

1 Module 1: The Foundation of Life Support
Understand the core concepts of BLS and the critical first steps of resuscitation.
5 lessons · 30 min
  1. Core Definitions in ACLS
    You will learn the fundamental terminology used in resuscitation science.
    6 min
  2. The Adult Chain of Survival
    You will explore the sequential steps required to improve survival rates in cardiac arrest.
    6 min
  3. High-Quality Chest Compressions
    You will understand the mechanics and importance of effective manual chest compressions.
    6 min
  4. Basic Life Support (BLS) Protocols
    You will walk through the standard step-by-step procedure for basic resuscitation.
    6 min
  5. Integrating the AED
    You will learn how automated external defibrillators fit into the basic life support flow.
    6 min
2 Module 2: Assessment and Airway Management
Master systematic patient evaluation and airway support techniques.
5 lessons · 30 min
  1. The BLS Survey
    You will learn the initial rapid assessment used to identify life-threatening conditions.
    6 min
  2. The ACLS Primary Assessment (ABCDE)
    You will master the structured framework for evaluating Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure.
    6 min
  3. The Secondary Assessment (H's and T's)
    You will learn how to search for and identify reversible causes of cardiac arrest.
    6 min
  4. Basic Airway and Ventilation
    You will explore techniques for opening the airway and providing effective rescue breaths.
    6 min
  5. Advanced Airway Protocols
    You will understand the role of advanced devices and monitoring in a professional resuscitation setting.
    6 min
3 Module 3: Rhythms and Electrical Therapy
Identify cardiac rhythms and understand the use of electricity to restore heart function.
5 lessons · 30 min
  1. Basics of Rhythm Recognition
    You will learn how to read a basic ECG strip to identify a pulse vs. no pulse.
    6 min
  2. Shockable Rhythms: VF and pVT
    You will learn to identify Ventricular Fibrillation and Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia.
    6 min
  3. Non-Shockable Rhythms: Asystole and PEA
    You will learn to identify rhythms where electricity is not the primary treatment.
    6 min
  4. Principles of Defibrillation
    You will understand how unsynchronized shocks work to stop lethal rhythms.
    6 min
  5. Synchronized Cardioversion
    You will learn the difference between defibrillation and timed electrical therapy for unstable patients.
    6 min
4 Module 4: Resuscitation Pharmacology
Learn the drugs, doses, and delivery methods used in ACLS.
5 lessons · 30 min
  1. Administration Routes: IV and IO
    You will compare intravenous and intraosseous access for rapid drug delivery.
    6 min
  2. Epinephrine: The Primary Vasopressor
    You will learn the role, dosage, and timing of Epinephrine during cardiac arrest.
    6 min
  3. Antiarrhythmic Agents
    You will understand when and how to use Amiodarone and Lidocaine.
    6 min
  4. Drugs for Bradycardia and Tachycardia
    You will learn about Atropine and Adenosine for patients with a pulse.
    6 min
  5. Medications for Reversible Causes
    You will explore pharmacological interventions for specific issues like electrolyte imbalances.
    6 min
5 Module 5: Advanced ACLS Algorithms
Integrate assessment, rhythms, and drugs into standard treatment pathways.
4 lessons · 24 min
  1. The Cardiac Arrest Algorithm
    You will master the comprehensive flowchart for managing pulseless patients.
    6 min
  2. The Bradycardia Algorithm
    You will learn the steps for managing a patient with a dangerously slow heart rate.
    6 min
  3. The Tachycardia Algorithm
    You will learn how to treat patients with symptomatic fast heart rates.
    6 min
  4. Putting it All Together
    You will practice mental walkthroughs of transitioning between different algorithms.
    6 min
6 Module 6: Teamwork and Post-Arrest Care
Understand the human and clinical factors following a successful resuscitation.
6 lessons · 36 min
  1. High-Performance Team Dynamics
    You will learn the roles and responsibilities within a resuscitation team.
    6 min
  2. Effective Communication Skills
    You will learn closed-loop communication and clear messaging in high-stress environments.
    6 min
  3. Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC)
    You will learn the immediate clinical signs and priorities when a pulse returns.
    6 min
  4. Post-Cardiac Arrest Care Goals
    You will explore the systematic stabilization of a patient after resuscitation.
    6 min
  5. Targeted Temperature Management
    You will understand the principles of neuroprotection through cooling.
    6 min
  6. Final Review and Summary
    You will synthesize all course concepts into a final conceptual framework.
    6 min
Final project

The Virtual Resuscitation Walkthrough

You will be presented with a complex clinical scenario starting from a patient collapse. You must document the correct sequence of actions, identify the rhythm, choose the right drug/dose, and plan the post-arrest care.

What you'll get

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  • 💸 14-day refund
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  • ⚡ Short & focused
    3h of practical content

Certificate of completion

Every course you complete on PickAClass issues a credential like this — original, with its own code, verifiable by URL, and detailed about what was actually demonstrated.

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Certificate of Mastery
This certifies that
Name Surname
has successfully demonstrated mastery of
Foundations of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
Skills demonstrated
✓
Behavioral pattern analysis
Foundational
1.2 hrs
✓
Decision-architecture frameworks
Proficient
1.4 hrs
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A/B test design
Proficient
1.7 hrs
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Behavioral copywriting
Advanced
1.9 hrs
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PickAClass — Name Surname
Foundations of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
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Performance detail
Coursework summary
Lessons completed 14 / 14
Practice questions 26 / 28
Assignments submitted 4 (avg 4.5 / 5)
Capstone project Reviewed — 4.6 / 5
Total practice 6.2 hrs
Performance benchmark
Cohort rank Top 12% of 1,625
Time to completion 11 days (median: 22)
Mastery score 91 / 100
Practice-question score 94%
Skill verification Verified Skill Path
Verify this credential
pickaclass.com/certificates/PCC-2026-X4F7-AP19
Issued under the academic standards of PickAClass. Skill levels reflect assessed performance against the course's competency rubric. This is an original credential of this platform.

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