ACLS Flashcards: The Essential Study Hack To Pass Your Exam Faster (Most Providers Don’t Do This) – Use smarter flashcards and spaced repetition to lock in ACLS algorithms before test day sneaks up on you.

Stop Cramming ACLS – Flashcards Are Your Best Friend

If you’re studying ACLS, you already know:

It’s not hard like advanced math… it’s just a lot:

• Algorithms (PEA, VT/VF, asystole, brady, tachy…)
• Drug doses and sequences
• Shock vs no shock
• H’s and T’s
• ROSC care

Most people try to brute-force this with PDFs and random YouTube videos the week before the exam.

That’s exactly how you end up blanking on the next step in an algorithm when it matters.

You don’t need more content.

You need a better way to get ACLS into your long‑term memory.

That’s where ACLS flashcards + spaced repetition come in.

And honestly, this is where an app like Flashrecall makes life way easier:

👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

Let’s walk through how to actually use ACLS flashcards the smart way.

Why ACLS Flashcards Work So Well (When Done Right)

ACLS is basically:

• If this, then that
• Memorizing patterns and sequences
• Remembering numbers under stress

Flashcards are perfect for that because they force active recall:

You see a prompt → your brain has to pull the answer out from memory, not just recognize it.

That’s exactly how Flashrecall is built:

• Every card is designed for active recall
• It uses spaced repetition automatically, so the cards you struggle with show up more often
• You get study reminders, so you don’t forget to review before your shift or exam

Instead of rereading the ACLS PDF for the 5th time, you’re drilling the exact decision points you’ll see on the exam (and in real life).

What To Put On Your ACLS Flashcards (Concrete Examples)

Here’s how to structure good ACLS flashcards that actually help you on test day.

1. Algorithm “Next Step” Cards

Instead of making giant info-dump cards, make tiny, step-based cards.

Front:

> Patient in VF on monitor, no pulse. What’s your first action?

Back:

> Start high-quality CPR and immediately defibrillate (unsynchronized shock) as soon as defibrillator is available.

Front:

> After first shock in VF/pulseless VT, what are the next 2 key actions?

Back:

> Resume CPR immediately for 2 minutes, get IV/IO access, and prepare to give epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO every 3–5 min.

Front:

> In VF/pulseless VT, when do you give amiodarone and what dose?

Back:

> After the third shock, give amiodarone 300 mg IV/IO bolus. May repeat 150 mg once.

These are the exact “what’s next?” questions that trip people up.

Flashcards are perfect for drilling these until they’re automatic.

2. Drug Dose Flashcards

You absolutely don’t want to hesitate on drug doses.

Front:

> ACLS epinephrine dose in cardiac arrest (IV/IO) and frequency?

Back:

> 1 mg IV/IO every 3–5 minutes during cardiac arrest.

Front:

> Amiodarone dosing in refractory VF/pulseless VT?

Back:

> 300 mg IV/IO bolus, then 150 mg IV/IO once if needed.

Front:

> Atropine dose for symptomatic bradycardia?

Back:

> 1 mg IV bolus, repeat every 3–5 min to a max of 3 mg.

You can go through these in Flashrecall while you’re on a break at work or on the train.

All offline, by the way – so even if you’re in a hospital basement with terrible signal, you’re good.

3. H’s and T’s Flashcards

Classic test topic. Don’t just memorize the list – use flashcards to actively recall them.

Front:

> What are the H’s in reversible causes of cardiac arrest (H’s and T’s)?

Back:

> Hypovolemia, Hypoxia, Hydrogen ion (acidosis), Hypo-/Hyperkalemia, Hypothermia, Hypoglycemia (if included in your version).

Front:

> What are the T’s in reversible causes of cardiac arrest?

Back:

> Tension pneumothorax, Tamponade (cardiac), Toxins, Thrombosis (pulmonary), Thrombosis (coronary).

You can also make “fill in the blank” style:

Front:

> H’s and T’s: Name 3 H’s and 2 T’s.

Back:

> Any correct combo of:

> H’s – Hypovolemia, Hypoxia, Hydrogen ion (acidosis), Hypo-/Hyperkalemia, Hypothermia, Hypoglycemia

> T’s – Tension pneumothorax, Tamponade, Toxins, Thrombosis (pulmonary/coronary)

4. Rhythm Recognition & Scenarios

This is where Flashrecall’s image flashcards are super useful.

You can:

• Screenshot ECGs or rhythm strips from your ACLS book or PDF
• Import them into Flashrecall
• Turn them into instant flashcards

Front (image):

> Picture of narrow complex regular tachycardia ~180 bpm

Back:

> Likely SVT. If unstable → synchronized cardioversion. If stable → vagal maneuvers, then adenosine 6 mg rapid IV push, may repeat 12 mg.

Front (image):

> ECG strip showing 3rd-degree AV block

Back:

> Complete heart block – treat as symptomatic bradycardia: atropine (may be ineffective), transcutaneous pacing, dopamine/epi infusion.

You can also paste YouTube links (ACLS rhythm videos) into Flashrecall and generate cards from them automatically. No manual typing if you don’t want to.

How Flashrecall Makes ACLS Flashcards Way Less Annoying

You could make all your ACLS flashcards by hand in a notebook or clunky app…

Or you can let tech do the boring part.

Here’s what makes Flashrecall actually helpful for ACLS:

• Instant card creation
• Import from PDFs, images of your ACLS book, screenshots, YouTube links, text, or even audio
• The app helps auto-generate flashcards from that content
• You can still create cards manually if you like full control
• Built-in spaced repetition
• Cards you keep missing show up more often
• Cards you know well slowly space out
• You don’t have to think about scheduling reviews – it’s automatic
• Study reminders
• Set gentle reminders so you don’t suddenly realize “my exam is in 3 days and I haven’t reviewed tachycardia once”
• Offline mode
• Perfect for hospitals, ambulances, or places with trash Wi‑Fi
• Chat with your flashcards
• Stuck on why a certain step is next in the algorithm?
• You can literally chat with the card in Flashrecall and ask follow-up questions to understand, not just memorize.
• Fast, modern, easy to use
• No clunky old-school interface. Just open the app and start reviewing.
• Free to start and works on iPhone and iPad
• So you can review on your phone during downtime and on your iPad at home.

You can grab it here:

👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

A Simple ACLS Flashcard Study Plan (You Can Actually Stick To)

You don’t need a 20-page study schedule. Use something like this:

Week 1 – Build Your Core Deck

Focus on:

• VF/pulseless VT algorithm
• Asystole/PEA
• Bradycardia
• Tachycardia (stable vs unstable)
• Core drug doses

In Flashrecall:

1. Import your ACLS PDF or screenshots.

2. Auto-generate flashcards, then quickly edit them into short Q&A.

3. Study 15–20 minutes per day with spaced repetition.

Week 2 – Add Details & Scenarios

Add flashcards for:

• H’s and T’s
• Post-ROSC care
• Specific rhythms (with images)
• Shock energy levels and when to cardiovert vs defibrillate

Keep daily reviews: 15–25 minutes.

The spaced repetition system will start focusing on your weak spots automatically.

Week 3+ – Tighten Up Before the Exam

• Do daily reviews (Flashrecall will show you exactly what’s due)
• Add any tricky questions from practice exams as new cards
• Use your chat with flashcards feature to clarify anything you still don’t fully get

By this point, you’re not “studying ACLS” anymore – you’re just maintaining what you already know.

Using ACLS Flashcards On Shift (Not Just For The Exam)

The cool thing is: ACLS doesn’t stop mattering after you pass the test.

You can keep a small, focused deck in Flashrecall just for:

• Drug doses
• H’s and T’s
• Shock energies
• Brady/tachy decision points

Because Flashrecall works offline and sends reminders, you can:

• Run through 10 cards on your lunch break
• Review a few rhythms before night shift
• Keep your brain sharp without sitting down for a giant “study session”

That’s how you go from “I passed ACLS” to “I’m actually confident in a code.”

Final Thoughts: Make ACLS Automatic, Not Stressful

ACLS isn’t about being the smartest person in the room.

It’s about being the person whose brain doesn’t freeze when things go sideways.

Flashcards + spaced repetition are honestly the most efficient way to:

• Memorize algorithms
• Lock in drug doses
• Recognize rhythms
• Remember H’s and T’s

If you want an easy way to build and review ACLS flashcards on your phone or iPad, try Flashrecall:

👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

You can:

• Generate cards from PDFs, images, YouTube links, or text
• Let spaced repetition and reminders handle your review schedule
• Chat with your cards when you’re unsure about a concept

Build a good ACLS deck once, and let your future self thank you every time a code runs smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Anki good for studying?

Anki is powerful but requires manual card creation and has a steep learning curve. Flashrecall offers AI-powered card generation from your notes, images, PDFs, and videos, making it faster and easier to create effective flashcards.

What's the fastest way to create flashcards?

Manually typing cards works but takes time. Many students now use AI generators that turn notes into flashcards instantly. Flashrecall does this automatically from text, images, or PDFs.

How do I start spaced repetition?

You can manually schedule your reviews, but most people use apps that automate this. Flashrecall uses built-in spaced repetition so you review cards at the perfect time.

How can I study more effectively for exams?

Effective exam prep combines active recall, spaced repetition, and regular practice. Flashrecall helps by automatically generating flashcards from your study materials and using spaced repetition to ensure you remember everything when exam day arrives.

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