Question

Recommended dose of epinephrine for the treatment of hypotension in a post-cardiac arrest patient who achieves ROSC?

A) 0.1 mg/kg
B) 0.5 mg/kg
C) 1 mg/kg
D) 2 mg/kg

Answer 1

The recommended dose of epinephrine for the treatment of hypotension in a post-cardiac arrest patient who achieves ROSC is typically an infusion starting at
`0.1 to 0.5 mcg/kg/min` , not a weight-based bolus. It is titrated to effect based on the patient's blood pressure response.

Step-by-step explanation:

The recommended dose of epinephrine for the treatment of hypotension in a post-cardiac arrest patient who achieves Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC) is not based on a mg/kg dosage but rather on a standardized dosing regimen. While specific dosages can vary depending on protocols and institutional guidelines, ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) generally recommends an epinephrine infusion, not a bolus, for post-ROSC hypotension. The typical starting dose for an epinephrine infusion is
`0.1 to 0.5 mcg/kg/min` . This can be titrated to effect meaning the dose can be adjusted upwards or downwards within a recommended range based on the patient's blood pressure response.

In emergency situations, such as anaphylactic shock, epinephrine is also used because it raises blood pressure and relaxes bronchial smooth muscle, which can be lifesaving. The use in anaphylactic reactions typically involves an immediate injection, commonly provided in auto-injector form for ease of use in emergencies. Therefore for hypotension post-cardiac arrest, epinephrine is utilized as a continuous infusion and the ideal dose would not coincide with the options provided in the question
`(A) 0.1 mg/kg, (B) 0.5 mg/kg, (C) 1 mg/kg, or (D) 2 mg/kg` , none of which are correct for this specific situation.