ACLS- Medications Exam Prep Test

Epinephrine is the first drug normally used in cardiac arrest because it helps to stimulate the heart and increase blood flow to vital organs. It acts as a vasoconstrictor, narrowing blood vessels to increase blood pressure and improve blood flow. Epinephrine also stimulates the heart to beat more forcefully, which can help restore normal cardiac rhythm. Additionally, it has bronchodilator effects, which can improve oxygenation. Overall, epinephrine is an important medication in cardiac arrest situations to enhance the chances of successful resuscitation.

PEA stands for Pulseless Electrical Activity, which is a life-threatening condition characterized by the absence of a palpable pulse despite the presence of electrical activity in the heart. Epinephrine is a medication commonly used in the management of PEA. It acts as a vasoconstrictor, increasing blood pressure and coronary perfusion, which can potentially restore a palpable pulse. The recommended dose of epinephrine for PEA is 1 mg, administered intravenously as a push every 3-5 minutes. Therefore, in the given options, epinephrine is the most appropriate drug to be used with PEA.

Adenosine is a useful drug in dealing with persistent tachyarrhythmia causing hypotension. Adenosine is a medication that works by slowing down the electrical conduction in the heart, helping to restore a normal heart rhythm. It is particularly effective in treating supraventricular tachycardia, a type of rapid heart rate that originates in the upper chambers of the heart. By slowing down the heart rate, adenosine can help to improve blood flow and alleviate symptoms of hypotension, which is low blood pressure.

The correct answer is true because the initial dosage of Adenosine IV is indeed 6 mg. This dosage is commonly used for the treatment of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in adults. Adenosine is administered rapidly through an intravenous line, typically followed by a saline flush to ensure the medication reaches the heart quickly. It works by slowing down the electrical conduction in the heart, which can help restore a normal heart rhythm in cases of SVT.

Epinephrine is the first drug and dosage recommended for treating Ventricular Fibrillation, apart from administering oxygen. The correct dosage is 1 mg to be given every 3-5 minutes. Epinephrine is a medication that stimulates the heart and helps restore normal heart rhythm. It increases blood pressure and improves blood flow to the heart and brain, which is crucial in treating Ventricular Fibrillation. Lidocaine, on the other hand, is not the first-line treatment for Ventricular Fibrillation and is typically used for other cardiac arrhythmias.

Vasopressin is the correct answer because it can be used as an alternative to epinephrine (Epi) in the treatment of ventricular fibrillation (VF). Vasopressin is a hormone that helps to increase blood pressure and promote vasoconstriction, which can be beneficial in restoring a normal heart rhythm in VF. Atropine is typically used for other cardiac conditions, such as bradycardia, and lidocaine is commonly used for ventricular arrhythmias but not specifically for VF. Therefore, vasopressin is the most appropriate drug to consider as a replacement for Epi in dealing with VF.

The acronym LEAN is a useful tool for remembering the drugs that may be administered down an ET tube. The drugs included in this acronym are Lidocaine, Epinephrine, Atropine, and Naloxone. These drugs are commonly used in emergency situations and can be administered directly into the endotracheal tube to quickly deliver medication to the patient's lungs. Remembering the acronym LEAN can help medical professionals recall the specific drugs that may be needed in these critical situations.

The normal dose of Amiodarone is 300 mg IV initially, followed by a second dose of 150 mg IV in five minutes. This dosing regimen is commonly used for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias. Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic medication that is given intravenously to rapidly control abnormal heart rhythms. The initial dose of 300 mg helps to quickly achieve therapeutic levels in the body, while the second dose of 150 mg helps to maintain the desired effect.

They should be doubled.

One replaces the other.

During ventricular fibrillation (VF), the drug and dosage that may be used in place of Epinephrine is Vasopressin 40 units. Vasopressin is a medication that constricts blood vessels and increases blood pressure, which can help restore normal heart rhythm during VF. The higher dosage of 40 units may be necessary to achieve the desired effect.

The correct answer is Atropine .5 mg followed by Dopamine 2-10 mcg/kg/min or Epi 2-10 mcg/min. This combination of drugs is commonly used for significant adult bradycardia with poor perfusion. Atropine is a medication that increases heart rate by blocking the effects of the vagus nerve on the heart. Dopamine is a medication that increases heart rate and blood pressure by stimulating certain receptors in the body. Epi, or epinephrine, is a medication that constricts blood vessels and increases heart rate. The specific doses mentioned in the answer are within the recommended range for these medications.

Both rapid push and 12 mg (second dose) are indicated for Adenosine. Adenosine is a medication used to treat certain types of irregular heartbeats. It is administered by rapid push, meaning it is given quickly through a vein. If the initial dose of Adenosine does not restore a normal heart rhythm, a second dose of 12 mg may be given. Therefore, both rapid push and 12 mg (second dose) are indicated for Adenosine administration.

Amiodarone is a medication commonly used in the treatment of pulseless ventricular fibrillation (VF). Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening cardiac rhythm disturbance characterized by rapid and chaotic electrical activity in the heart. Amiodarone works by stabilizing the electrical activity of the heart, helping to restore a normal heart rhythm. Therefore, it is true that amiodarone is used in the management of pulseless VF.

The correct answer is TEA, Transcutaneous Pacing, Epinephrine, Atropine. This acronym represents the recommended sequence of interventions for handling asystole, which is the absence of any electrical activity in the heart. Transcutaneous pacing is used to deliver electrical stimulation to the heart, Epinephrine is a medication that stimulates the heart and increases blood pressure, and Atropine is a medication that increases heart rate. This sequence of interventions aims to restore electrical activity and improve cardiac function in a patient with asystole.

Vasopressin is a hormone that helps regulate water balance and blood pressure in the body. It is typically administered in emergency situations such as cardiac arrest or severe bleeding. Vasopressin has a long duration of action, which means that a single dose can last for several hours. Therefore, it is generally not necessary to administer multiple doses of vasopressin. This statement is true because vasopressin may only be administered once.

Procainamide should not be administered as a bolus because it has a high risk of causing hypotension and other adverse effects when given rapidly. Instead, it is recommended to administer procainamide as a continuous infusion to ensure a more controlled and gradual delivery of the medication. This approach helps to minimize the potential for serious side effects and allows for better monitoring and adjustment of the dosage as needed.

TCP stands for transcutaneous pacing, which is a treatment option for symptomatic bradycardia. It involves the use of external electrodes placed on the patient's chest to deliver electrical impulses to the heart, which helps to increase the heart rate. Atropine is another treatment option for bradycardia, but if it is not effective, TCP may be used as an alternative. Isoproterenol is a medication that can also be used to increase heart rate, but it is not the correct answer in this case.

Atropine is a medication commonly used to treat symptomatic bradycardia, a condition characterized by an abnormally slow heart rate. The correct answer, (MAX 3 mg) (0.04 mg/kg), suggests that the maximum dose of Atropine that can be administered is 3 mg, and the recommended dose per kilogram of body weight is 0.04 mg/kg. This means that the dosage should not exceed 3 mg regardless of the patient's weight, but the dosage per kilogram should be calculated based on the patient's weight, with 0.04 mg given for every kilogram of body weight.

In synchronized cardioversion, the correct energy levels for different types of rhythms are as follows: for narrow regular rhythms, the energy range is 50-100J, and for wide regular rhythms, the energy level is 100J. This means that when performing synchronized cardioversion, if the patient has a narrow regular rhythm, the energy delivered should be between 50-100J, while for a wide regular rhythm, the energy should be set at 100J.