Drugs

Question 1

What is the presentation of activated charcoal?

Answer 1

50g in 250ml

Question 2

What are the indications for the use of activated charcoal?

Answer 2

Emergency treatment of acute oral poisoning and acute oral drug overdose

Question 3

What are the contra indications for the use of activated charcoal?

Answer 3

• Children under 1 year old
• > 1 hour since ingestion of toxin
• patients who are vomiting
• patients with reduced GI motility

Question 4

What are the cautions to consider when using activated charcoal?

Answer 4

• Children (risk of aspiration)
• reduces effectiveness of other antidotes

Question 5

What are the side effects of activated charcoal?

Answer 5

• black stool
• can cause intestinal obstruction

Question 6

What is the presentation of Adrenaline (1 in 1000)

Answer 6

Ampuole containing 1mg of adrenaline in 1ml

Question 7

What are the indications for the use of Adrenaline (1 in 1000)

Answer 7

Anaphylaxis and life-threatening asthma

Question 8

What are the cautions to consider when using Adrenaline (1 in 1000)

Answer 8

• must not be given IV
• severe hypertension can occur if patient is taking beta blockers

Question 9

What are the indications for the use of Adrenaline (1 in 10,000)

Answer 9

• cardiac arrest
• post ROSC circulatory support

Question 10

What are the contraindications for Adrenaline (1 in 10,000)

Answer 10

• pt core temperature <30 degrees
• when temperature is between 30 and 35 degrees, time between doses should be doubled

Question 11

What are the cautions to consider when using Adrenaline (1 in 10,000)

Answer 11

• severe hypertension can occur if patient is taking beta blockers

Question 12

What is the presentation of Adrenaline (1 in 10,000)

Answer 12

Pre filled syringe containing 1mg of adrenaline in 10ml

Question 13

What is the presentation of Amiodarone

Answer 13

Pre filled syringe containing 300mg amiodarone in 10ml OR
Ampuole containing 150mg amiodarone in 3ml

Question 14

What is the indication for administering Amiodarone

Answer 14

Cardiac arrest - shockable rhythm.
If pt remains in cardiac arrest after 3 shocks, then give after alternative shocks (5th, 7th, etc.)

Question 15

What are the contraindications for administering Amiodarone

Answer 15

core temp <30 degrees

Question 16

What are the side effects for Amiodarone

Answer 16

bradycardia
vasodilation -> hypotension
bronchospasm
Arrythmias (e.g. Torsades de pointes)

Question 17

What is the presentation for aspirin

Answer 17

Chewable tablet containing 300mg aspirin

Question 18

What are the indications for the adminstration of aspirin?

Answer 18

Adults with clinical or ECG evidence suggestive of myocardial infarction (MI) or ischaemia
Suspected TIA where symptoms have fully resolved and pt has been referred to local TIA pathway

Question 19

What are the contra indications for the adminstration of aspirin?

Answer 19

• Known aspirin allergy or sensitivty
• Children under 16 (causes Reye’s syndrome)
• Active GI bleed
• Haemophilia
• Hepatic failure with jaundice

Question 20

What are the cautions for aspirin?

Answer 20

Patients with:
- Asthma
- pregnancy
- renal failure
- hepatic disease without jaundice
- gastric or duodenal ulcer
- current anticoagulant treatment

Question 21

What are the side effects for aspirin?

Answer 21

• Increased risk of gastric bleeding
• Wheezing in some asthmatics

Question 22

What is the presentation of atropine?

Answer 22

Ampuole containing 600mcg in 1ml

Question 23

What are the indications for atropine?

Answer 23

Symptomatic bradycardia in ANY of these signs:
- absolute bradycardia (HR <40bpm)
- Systolic BP below expected for age
- Inadequate perfusion causing confusion/cyanosis
- Bradycardia following a ROSC

Question 24

What are the contraindications for atropine?

Answer 24

• Hypothermia
• patients with heart transplants

Question 25

What are the side effects of atropine

Answer 25

• dry mouth
• confusion and hallucinations
• tachycardia

Question 26

What is the presentation of benzylpenicillin (ben pen)

Answer 26

Injection vial containing 600mg of benpen as powder for solution for injection

Question 27

What are the indications for benzylpenicillin

Answer 27

Suspected meningococcal disease in the presence of:
- a non blanching rash
and/or
- signs and symptoms suggestive of meningococcal septicaemia

Question 28

What are the contraindications for the administration of benzylpenicillin

Answer 28

Known severe penicillin allergy (more than a rash)

Question 29

What is the presentation of furosemide

Answer 29

Ampuoles containing either 20mg in 2ml OR 50mg in 5ml

Question 30

What are the indications for the use of furosemide

Answer 30

Given IV for pulmonary oedema and/or respiratory distress due to acute heart failure

Question 31

What are the contraindications for the use of furosemide

Answer 31

reduced GCS with liver cirrhosis
cardiogenic shock
severe renal failure with anuria
children under 18 years old