Taking ATLS for the first time

[RuralER/Ortho]

Any recommendations? Tips? Obviously planning on reading the book ahead of time, but wondering if anything else is valuable for preparing. Want to make sure I represent PA's well!

[EMEDPA]

I've taken it 4 times. focus on the beginning of each chapter. changes with age, tx of peds, airway differences, pregnancy stuff, etc. lots of test questions there.

know your gcs cold. a few questions make you figure it out on written test.

for practicals when you walk in the room order the basics right off: 2 lines, o2, labs. don't continue primary survey if you find something major that requires intervention (open chest wound, ptx, tamponade, etc). do the intervention and move on. some scenarios require you to intubate in the first 1-2 minutes for unstable airway issues. don't blow these off.

emedpa

[RuralER/Ortho]

Thank you. I was hoping you would have some input.