Emergency drugs

Question 1

What dose and route of administration is needed for adrenaline in resus and in anaphylaxis?

Answer 1

Anaphylaxis: 0.5mg 1:1,000 IM every 5 mins
Resus: 1mg of 1:10,000 solution IV every 3-5 mins

Question 2

What dose and route of administration is needed for hydrocortisone?

Answer 2

Anaphylaxis: 100-300mg IV
Adrenal insufficiency: 100-500mg IV
IBD flare: 100-500mg IV
Asthma: 100mg IV every 6hrs

Question 3

What dose and route of administration is needed for chlorphenamine in anaphylaxis?

Answer 3

10mg IM or IV repeated as necessary up to 4 doses

Question 4

What dose and route of administration is needed for atropine in bradycardias?

Answer 4

If due to betablocker OD: 3mg IV

If not: 500micrograms IV every 3-5 mins upto 6 times

Question 5

What dose and route of administration is needed for clopidogrel in an MI?

Answer 5

300mg PO initially

Then 75mg for prevention

Question 6

What dose and route of administration is needed for aspirin?

Answer 6

In acute setting: 300mg PO (chew or dispersed in water)

For prevention: 75mg PO

Question 7

What dose and route of administration is needed for calcium gluconate?

Answer 7

10ml 10% calcium gluconate over 10 mins IV

Question 8

What dose and route of administration is needed for the insulin/ dextrose infusion for hyperkalaemia

Answer 8

10 units actrapid + 50mls 50% dextrose IV infusion

Question 9

What dose and route of administration is needed for emergency hypoglycaemia treatments?

Answer 9

1mg SC or IM glucagon// 100ml 10% dextrose IV over 15 mins if unconscious 
10-20g glucose PO if conscious:
- 2 tea spoons sugar
- 110ml original lucozade
- 100ml glucogel

Question 10

What dose and route of administration is needed for diazepam?

Answer 10

10-20mg rectally and again after 15 mins if required (for status epilepticus)

Question 11

What dose and route of administration is needed for lorazepam?

Answer 11

4mg IV for status epilepticus

Question 12

What dose and route of administration is needed for salbutamol nebs?

Answer 12

5mg neb back to back or every 15 mins

Question 13

What dose and route of administration is needed for ipratropium bromide nebs?

Answer 13

500 micrograms nebs every 4-6 hrs as needed

Question 14

What dose and route of administration is needed for morphine in acute settings?

Answer 14

5-10 mg slow IV injection
2.5-5mg if elderly
Can be repeated
Dose same for MI and pulmonary odema

Question 15

What dose and route of administration is needed for naloxone?

Answer 15

400 micrograms initially then 800 micrograms for up to 2 doses at 1 min intervals
If still not responding give 2 mg and then 4 mg dose.
Preferable IV but can give SC or IM if no access.

Question 16

Epinephrine / adrenaline for acute anaphylaxis

Answer 16

500 mic.g (1:1000, 1mg/ml) IM