PALS EDUCATIONAL GUIDE
PALS Bradycardia Algorithm
Review the purpose of the PALS Bradycardia Algorithm before beginning your HeartCode PALS eLearning course.
The PALS Bradycardia Algorithm is introduced during the American Heart Association HeartCode PALS eLearning course to help healthcare professionals understand the systematic assessment of infants and children with a slow heart rate. This educational guide reinforces key concepts and supplements—but does not replace—the official American Heart Association course materials.
RECOGNIZING BRADYCARDIA
Bradycardia refers to a slower-than-expected heart rate. During the HeartCode PALS eLearning course, students learn to evaluate the child’s condition, recognize symptoms, interpret ECG findings, and understand why patient assessment is more important than heart rate alone.
The course emphasizes recognizing emergencies, communicating effectively with a healthcare team, and applying current resuscitation principles during simulated patient scenarios.
WHO NEEDS PALS CERTIFICATION?
Healthcare professionals commonly requiring PALS certification include:
- Registered Nurses (RN)
- Physicians
- Nurse Practitioners
- Physician Assistants
- Respiratory Therapists
- Paramedics
- Emergency Department Staff
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Staff
- Pediatric Healthcare Professionals
PATIENT ASSESSMENT
Patient assessment is one of the most important concepts taught during the HeartCode PALS eLearning course. Students learn to evaluate airway, breathing, circulation, vital signs, symptoms, ECG findings, and possible underlying causes while communicating effectively with the healthcare team.
Topics commonly covered include:
- Pediatric airway assessment
- Breathing assessment
- Circulation assessment
- Vital signs evaluation
- ECG interpretation concepts
- Identification of possible contributing causes
- Effective team communication
HOW TO PREPARE
Reviewing bradycardia concepts before beginning the HeartCode PALS eLearning course can help reinforce pediatric patient assessment. The in-person PALS skills session focuses on demonstrating high-quality CPR skills rather than advanced algorithm instruction.
- Complete the HeartCode PALS eLearning course before your skills session.
- Review pediatric rhythm recognition concepts.
- Become familiar with systematic patient assessment.
- Arrive prepared to demonstrate high-quality CPR skills.
- Key Takeaways
- The PALS Bradycardia Algorithm is introduced during the HeartCode PALS eLearning course.
- Patient assessment is essential when evaluating pediatric bradycardia.
- Rhythm recognition and teamwork support effective clinical decision-making.
- The in-person PALS skills session focuses on demonstrating high-quality CPR skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
American Heart Association PALS certification is typically valid for two years.
PALS certification is intended for healthcare professionals who care for infants and children in emergency or critical care settings.
Yes. BLS teaches the fundamentals of high-quality CPR, while PALS builds upon those skills by introducing advanced pediatric emergency cardiovascular care concepts during the HeartCode PALS eLearning course.
Yes. Students complete the HeartCode PALS eLearning course before attending the in-person skills session, which focuses on demonstrating high-quality CPR skills.
