Revised 08/2025

EMS 222 - Paramedic Cardiovascular Care Laboratory (1 CR.)

Course Description

Focuses on skills involved in the assessment and management of cardiac-related emergencies as outlined by the National Emergency Medical Service Education Standards (NEMSES) for Paramedics. Develops competency in basic dysrhythmia recognition and overall cardiac patient care. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 2 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

The purpose of this course is to teach the skills involved in the assessment and management of cardiac- related emergencies. It develops competency in basic dysrhythmia recognition and overall cardiac patient care.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Prerequisite: Current Virginia EMT and CPR certification as approved by the Virginia Office of EMS. Corequisite: EMS 221: Paramedic Cardiovascular Care.

Course Objectives

  • Interpret basic EKG rhythms and associated treatments
  • Defibrillate patients in an unwitnessed arrest scenario
  • Identify transcutaneous pacing on patients in a scenario
  • Synchronize cardioversion on patients in a scenario
  • Interpret a 12-lead EKG

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Assessment of the Cardiovascular Patient
  • Identification of Types of Rhythms
    • Sinus rhythms
    • Atrial rhythms
    • Junctional rhythms
    • Tachycardic rhythms
    • Bradycardic rhythms
    • Heart blocks
    • Pulseless rhythms
  • Management of the patient with an arrhythmia
    • Symptomatic and asymptomatic patients
    • Non-invasive interventions
    • Pharmacological interventions
    • Electrotherapy interventions
  • Cardiovascular-specific pharmacology
    • Gases
    • Sympathomimetic
    • Anticholinergic
    • Antiarrhythmic
    • Beta blocker
    • Vasopressor
    • Calcium channel blocker
    • Purine nucleoside
    • Platelet aggregate inhibitor
    • Alkalinizing agents
    • Cardiac glycoside
    • Narcotic/ analgesic
    • Diuretic
    • Nitrate
    • Antihypertensive