Emergency drugs

Question 1

cardiac arrest

Answer 1

adrenaline IV

amiodarone (alpha and beta adrenergic antagonists, decreasing HR and conduction)

Question 2

acute pulmonary oedema

Answer 2

morphine IV
Oxygen
Nitrates IV (causes smooth muscle relaxation and airway dilation)
Furosemide IV (decreases water absorption into cells)

Question 3

acute severe asthma

Answer 3

hydrocortisone IV (reduces airway inflammation)
magnesium sulphate IV (inhibits smooth muscle contractility)
oxygen
salbutamol nebs (SABA)
ipratropium (SAMA)

Question 4

anaphylactic shock

Answer 4

adrenaline IV
hydrocortisone (reduces airway inflammation)
magnesium sulphate (inhibits smooth muscle contractility)
chlorphenamine (anti-histamine)

Question 5

hypoglycaemia

Answer 5

glucose (IV)

glucagon (IV or IM) (increases glucose release from the pancreas into the blood)

Question 6

hypovolaemic shock

Answer 6

IV fluids

Question 7

opioid intoxication

Answer 7

naloxone (binds to the Mu opioid receptor)

Question 8

benzodiazepine intoxication

Answer 8

flumazenil (binds to the GABAa receptor)

Question 9

seizures

Answer 9

phenytoin

benzodiazepines

Question 10

hyperkalaemia

Answer 10

calcium gluconate or calcium chloride (protects the heart)
insulin and glucose (insulin facilitates uptake of K+ into the cell)
calcium resonium (removes excess K+ from body)
salbutamol nebs (moves K+ intracellular)