Emergency Prescribing Flashcards
7 cards from real PSA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Emergency Prescribing flashcards as text
A 70kg patient sustains burns over 40% total body surface area (TBSA). Using the Parkland formula, how much lactated Ringer's should be given in the first 24 hours?
Answer: 11.2 L (4mL × 70kg × 40%)
The Parkland formula is 4mL × body weight (kg) × %TBSA burned; half is given in the first 8 hours and the remainder over the next 16 hours.
A pregnant patient at 35 weeks gestation develops eclampsia with seizures and BP 175/115 mmHg. What is the drug of choice to prevent recurrent seizures?
Answer: Magnesium sulfate 4–6g IV loading dose, then 1–2g/hr infusion
Magnesium sulfate is the drug of choice for eclampsia prophylaxis and treatment, superior to phenytoin in preventing recurrent seizures.
A 5-year-old (20kg) develops anaphylaxis with urticaria, wheezing, and hypotension at school. What is the correct epinephrine dose and route?
Answer: Epinephrine 0.2mg IM (1:1,000), anterolateral thigh
Pediatric anaphylaxis epinephrine dose is 0.01mg/kg IM (1:1,000) with a maximum of 0.5mg; for a 20kg child this equals 0.2mg.
A patient with known Addison's disease presents in shock with BP 78/50 mmHg, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and hypoglycemia. What is the immediate treatment?
Answer: Hydrocortisone 100mg IV bolus, then 50–100mg IV every 6–8 hours
Hydrocortisone IV is the treatment for acute adrenal crisis, providing both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid activity needed for hemodynamic recovery.
A 3-year-old (15kg) with febrile seizure has been seizing for 7 minutes at home. Parents have diazepam rectal gel (Diastat). What is the correct dose?
Answer: 0.5mg/kg rectally (7.5mg)
Rectal diazepam (Diastat) dose for children aged 2–5 years is 0.5mg/kg, providing rapid absorption without IV access.
A patient with severe alcohol use disorder has a CIWA-Ar score of 22 and is experiencing visual hallucinations and tremor. What is the most appropriate treatment?
Answer: Diazepam 10–20mg IV/PO titrated to CIWA score every 1–2 hours
Benzodiazepines (symptom-triggered diazepam dosing) are first-line for alcohol withdrawal with a high CIWA score, preventing seizures and delirium tremens.
During general anesthesia, a patient develops rapidly rising end-tidal CO2, generalized muscle rigidity, and temperature of 41.8°C. What is the specific antidote?
Answer: Dantrolene 2.5mg/kg IV bolus, repeatable every 5 minutes up to 10mg/kg total
Dantrolene is the specific antidote for malignant hyperthermia, inhibiting ryanodine receptor-mediated calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.