Final answer:
The initial dose of amiodarone for a 68-year-old male in ventricular fibrillation is 300 mg IV as a bolus. This is part of advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and is used to stabilize the heart's electrical activity to improve the success rate of defibrillation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The initial dose of amiodarone for a 68 year old male in ventricular fibrillation is 300 mg IV as a bolus during advanced cardiac life support (ACLS).
Ventricular fibrillation is a critical condition characterized by irregular heart rhythms that prevent effective blood pumping. It is considered a medical emergency and is often referred to as "code blue" in a hospital setting. The most common treatment is defibrillation, which is the administration of an electrical shock to reset the heart's electrical activity. Alongside this, medications such as amiodarone are used. The American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines suggest an initial IV bolus dose of 300 mg of amiodarone for the treatment of ventricular fibrillation. If ventricular fibrillation persists after CPR and shock delivery, amiodarone is then indicated. Amiodarone improves the success rate of defibrillation by stabilizing the heart's electrical activity. The dose can be followed by one additional dose of 150 mg if the arrhythmia recurs. Regardless, amiodarone should be administered as part of the advanced cardiac life support protocol by healthcare professionals trained in its use.