Question

A patient is in cardiac arrest. Ventricular fibrillation has been refractory to a second shock. Of the following, which drug and dose should be given first by the IV/IO route?

1) Epinephrine 1 mg
2) Amiodarone 300 mg
3) Lidocaine 1.5 mg/kg
4) Atropine 0.5 mg

Answer 1

Epinephrine 1 mg should be given first by the IV/IO route when a patient is in cardiac arrest and ventricular fibrillation is refractory to a second shock.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a situation where a patient is in cardiac arrest and ventricular fibrillation is refractory to a second shock, the first drug that should be given by the IV/IO route is epinephrine 1 mg.

Epinephrine is a vasoconstrictor that increases blood flow to the heart and brain, and it can help restore a normal heartbeat. It is typically administered every 3-5 minutes during cardiac arrest resuscitation.

Amiodarone, lidocaine, and atropine are used for other cardiac arrhythmias but are not the first-line drugs for treating ventricular fibrillation in this scenario.