Final answer:
The first drug of choice for a child with symptomatic bradycardia who has an intravenous line in place is epinephrine. Epinephrine stimulates the heart and increases the heart rate. It activates alpha and beta adrenergic receptors, leading to an increase in heart rate, cardiac output, and blood pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first drug of choice for a child with symptomatic bradycardia who has an intravenous line in place is epinephrine.
Epinephrine is a medication that stimulates the heart and increases the heart rate. It is administered as an intravenous infusion or injection.
Epinephrine works by activating alpha and beta adrenergic receptors in the body. This leads to an increase in heart rate, cardiac output, and blood pressure, which can help improve the patient's condition in a bradycardic emergency.
It's important to note that the use of specific medications should be determined by a healthcare professional based on the patient's individual circumstances and the underlying cause of the bradycardia.