Question

You are part of a team attempting to resuscitate a child with vfib cardiac arrest. You delivered 2 unsynchronized shocks. A team member established IO access, so you give a dose of epi, 0.01mg/kg IO. At the next rhythm check, persistent vfib is present. You administer a 4 J/kg shock and resume CPR. What should be administered next?

Answer 1

After initial resuscitation efforts with shocks and epinephrine, the next step for a persistent pediatric vfib cardiac arrest is typically administering an antiarrhythmic medication like amiodarone or lidocaine.

Step-by-step explanation:

When dealing with a ventricular fibrillation (vfib) cardiac arrest in a child, after administering shocks and an initial dose of epinephrine, and with persistent vfib, the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) protocol suggests that additional medication may be warranted. If epinephrine has already been given, the next step would typically be to consider an antiarrhythmic medication. Amiodarone or lidocaine are commonly used for this purpose. The doses are as follows: amiodarone at 5 mg/kg IV/IO or lidocaine at 1 mg/kg IV/IO. It's critical to follow pediatric dosing guidelines and consult the ACLS protocol or a medical professional for specific guidance.