Adrenaline

Question 1

What is the mechanism of action of Adrenaline?

Answer 1

●Stimulates Alpha and Beta receptors which predominant effects occurring on Alpha 1, Beta 1 and Beta 2 receptors.

Question 2

What does Adrenaline do to Alpha 1 receptors?

Answer 2

●The effects cause…
-Smooth muscle contraction.
-Blood vessel vasoconstriction.
-Stimulates Glycogenolysis and Gluconeogenesis.

Question 3

What does Adrenaline do to Beta 1 receptors?

Answer 3

●The effects cause…
-Increased Inotropy (cardiac contractility.)
-Increased Chronotropy (heart rate.)
-Increased Dromotropy (Speed of the electrical conduction of the heart.)

Question 4

What does Andrenaline do to the Beta 2 receptors?

Answer 4

●effects cause…
-Smooth muscle relaxation.
-Skeletal muscle vasodilation.
-Bronchodilation.
-Stabilisation of Mast cells causing a reduction in histamine release.

Question 5

What are the indications for Andrenaline?

Answer 5

●Cardiac Arrest.
●Anaphylaxis.
●Severe Asthma.
●Stridor causing moderate to severe distress.
●Imminent respiratory arrest from COPD.
●Clinically significant epistaxis.
●Topical for clinically significant wound bleed.
●Severe bradycardia.
●Septic, neurogenic, cardiogenic shock not responding to IV fluids and Metaraminol.
●Hypotension if Metaraminol is ineffective.

Question 6

What are the cautions for Adrenaline?

Answer 6

●Myocardial Ischaemia.
●Tachydysrhythmia.

Question 7

What are the contraindications for Adrenaline?

Answer 7

There are none.

Question 8

What are the side effects of Adrenaline?

Answer 8

●Tachycardia.
●Tachydysrhythmia.
●Myocardial Ischaemia.
●Ventricular ectopy.
●Hypertension.
●Nausea and vomiting.
●Tremor, anxiety, sweating.
●Hyperglycaemia.