Cardiac Arrest Pharmacology Flashcards
7 cards from real CPR practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Cardiac Arrest Pharmacology flashcards as text
In a patient with suspected beta-blocker overdose cardiac arrest, which high-dose therapy may be considered?
Answer: High-dose epinephrine up to 0.2 mg/kg IV
High-dose epinephrine (up to 0.2 mg/kg) may overcome beta-receptor blockade in refractory beta-blocker-induced cardiac arrest.
What is the recommended IV/IO dose of adenosine for the FIRST dose when treating stable SVT?
Answer: 6 mg rapid IV push
The initial adenosine dose for SVT is 6 mg given as a rapid IV push followed immediately by a 20 mL saline flush.
Which statement about atropine use in asystole is MOST accurate per current AHA guidelines?
Answer: Atropine has been removed from the asystole/PEA algorithm
Current AHA guidelines removed atropine from the cardiac arrest algorithm because evidence showed no benefit in asystole or PEA.
A patient in calcium channel blocker overdose arrest is unresponsive to standard ACLS. Which antidote should be considered?
Answer: High-dose insulin euglycemic therapy
High-dose insulin euglycemic therapy (1 unit/kg bolus followed by infusion) improves myocardial carbohydrate metabolism in calcium channel blocker toxicity.
What is the IO dose of epinephrine in adult cardiac arrest?
Answer: 1 mg of 1:10,000 solution
The standard epinephrine dose for adult cardiac arrest via IO route is 1 mg of 1:10,000 (0.1 mg/mL) solution every 3–5 minutes.
Which drug is used to treat torsades de pointes that degenerates into pulseless VT/VF during cardiac arrest?
Answer: Magnesium sulfate 1–2 g IV
Magnesium sulfate 1–2 g IV/IO is the treatment of choice for torsades de pointes-related VT/VF during cardiac arrest.
A paramedic administers sodium bicarbonate in a patient with prolonged cardiac arrest (>10 min). What is the PRIMARY concern with this intervention?
Answer: Paradoxical intracellular acidosis and hyperosmolarity
Sodium bicarbonate can cause paradoxical intracellular acidosis (CO2 diffuses into cells) and hyperosmolarity, potentially worsening cellular function.