Emergency drug doses

Question 1

Outline the emergency dose for Adrenaline (anaphylaxis), including dose, route of administration and any continuing doses

Answer 1

500 micrograms, 1mg/ml (1 in 1000)

IM - anterolateral aspect of thigh

Repeat after 5 mins if no improvement on initial dose, repeat every 5 mins until specialist care available

Question 2

Outline the emergency dose for Hydrocortisone (anaphylaxis / adrenal crisis), including dose, route of administration and any continuing doses

Answer 2

100mg

IM or IV

Then 200mg over next 24 hrs, diluted in 5% glucose if for adrenal crisis

Question 3

Outline the emergency dose for Chlorphenamine (anaphylaxis), including dose, route of administration and any continuing doses

Answer 3

IM or IV

10mg

Repeat if necessary, up to max 4 doses per day

Question 4

Outline the emergency dose for Atropine (post-MI bradycardia), including dose, route of administration and any continuing doses

Answer 4

IV

500 micrograms

Repeat every 3 - 5 mins, up to max 6 doses

Question 5

Outline the emergency dose for Aspirin (MI), including dose, route of administration and any continuing doses

Answer 5

300mg stat

Oral

No repeat, long term 75mg Aspirin for secondary prevention

Question 6

Outline the emergency dose for Clopidogrel (MI), including dose, route of administration and any continuing doses

Answer 6

300mg stat

Oral

No repeat, 75mg dose for at least 4 weeks for secondary prevention

Question 7

Outline the emergency dose for Morphine (MI), including dose, route of administration and any continuing doses

Answer 7

5-10 mg

IV (slow)

Repeat once more if required

Question 8

Outline the emergency dose for calcium gluconate (hyperkalaemia), including dose, route of administration and any continuing doses

Answer 8

30 mL of 10% calcium gluconate

IV (slow)

Repeat if no ECG improvement in 5-10 mins

Question 9

Outline the emergency dose for calcium gluconate (hypocalcaemia), including dose, route of administration and any continuing doses

Answer 9

10-20 mL of 10% calcium gluconate

IV (slow)

Repeat as required (ECG and plasma calcium)

Question 10

Outline the emergency dose for Diazepam (status epilepticus), including dose, route of administration and any continuing doses

Answer 10

10 mg

IV

Then 10 mg after 10 mins if required

Question 11

Outline the emergency dose for Lorazepam (status epilepticus), including dose, route of administration and any continuing doses

Answer 11

4 mg

IV (give 1ml/min until seizure stops or full 4mg given)

Then 4 mg after 10 mins if required

Question 12

Outline the emergency dose for Salbutamol inhaler (severe asthma), including dose, route of administration and any continuing doses

Answer 12

5 mg

Nebulised

Repeat every 20-30 minutes or as required

Question 13

Outline the emergency dose for Hydrocortisone (severe asthma), including dose, route of administration and any continuing doses

Answer 13

100mg

IV

Continue every 6 hours, until can convert to oral Prednisolone

Question 14

Outline the emergency dose for Prednisolone (asthma), including dose, route of administration and any continuing doses

Answer 14

40-50 mg

Oral

Daily until remission

Question 15

Outline the emergency dose for Naloxone (opioid overdose), including dose, route of administration and any continuing doses

Answer 15

400 micrograms

IV

Then 800 micrograms (up to 2 doses, 1 min apart)
Then increased to 2 mg (1 dose)

Question 16

Outline the emergency dose for Insulin (DKA), including dose calculation and route of administration

Answer 16

1 unit / kg / hour

IV fixed rate infusion

Question 17

Outline the glucose increasing options for hypoglycaemia in the following scenarios:
- Oral intake
- Confusion / agitation
- Unconscious

Answer 17

Oral intake:
- Gluco-juice
- Fruit juice
- Dextrose tablets

Confusion / agitation:
- Glucose gel

Unconscious:
- IV 75ml 20% glucose over 10-15 mins