Question

A pt is in cardiac arrest. CRP are performed. Pt is intubated and has IV access. Rhythm is asystole. What is the first drug?

A. Atropine 0.5 mg IV/IO
B. Atropine 1 mg IV/IO
C. Dopamine 2 to 20 mcg/kg per minute IV/IO
D. epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO

Answer 1

The first drug to administer for a patient in cardiac arrest presenting with asystole is epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO, in accordance with ACLS guidelines. It is the primary intervention for resuscitation and works by stimulating the heart to improve blood flow to vital organs.

Step-by-step explanation:

For a patient in cardiac arrest with a rhythm of asystole, the first-line pharmacologic treatment is epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO, which should be administered as soon as intravenous or intraosseous access is established. This is in accordance with the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) guidelines. Medications like atropine and dopamine may have roles in different scenarios but are not the primary drugs for initial resuscitation in asystole.

Cardiac arrest is an emergency situation that requires immediate intervention as the heart stops pumping blood effectively. The administration of epinephrine during cardiac arrest can help to stimulate the heart and improve blood flow to vital organs. However, it's worth noting that in certain cases, like open-heart surgery, different medications and interventions, such as using a defibrillator or injecting a KCl solution into the cardiac muscle, may be employed for varying reasons.