Question

A patient with sinus bradycardia and a HR of 42 bpm has diaphoresis and a BP of 80/60 mmHg. What is the initial dose of atropine?

Answer 1

The initial dose of atropine for symptomatic sinus bradycardia with a low blood pressure is 0.5 mg intravenously, which may be repeated up to a total dose of 3 mg.

Step-by-step explanation:

The initial dose of atropine for a patient experiencing sinus bradycardia with a heart rate (HR) of 42 beats per minute (bpm) and symptomatic hypotension (blood pressure (BP) of 80/60 mmHg) is generally 0.5 mg intravenously. If bradycardia persists after the initial dose, additional doses may be administered, up to a total dose of 3 mg. It’s crucial to monitor the patient's response to atropine to ensure that a normal resting HR between 60-100 bpm is achieved and maintained without overcorrection, potentially leading to tachycardia.