Emergency Drugs List

Question 1

What is the mechanism of action of adrenaline ?

Answer 1

Acts on both alpha and beta receptors and increases both heart rate and contractility ( beta 1 effects ) and causes peripheral vasodilation ( beta 2 effects ) or vasoconstriction ( alpha effect ).

Question 2

What is the dose and route of adrenaline for cardiac resuscitation ?

Answer 2

IV adrenaline 1 mg every 3-5 minutes

Question 3

What is the dose and route of adrenaline in an acute anaphylactic shock ?

Answer 3

500 micrograms repeat after 5 minutes if not response

Question 4

What dose and route of hydrocortisone is given in a thyrotoxic crisis ?

Answer 4

IV 100 mg every 6 hours

Question 5

What dose and route of hydrocortisone is given in an adrenal crisis ?

Answer 5

Initially IM or IV 100mg

Then 200mg every 24 hours IV infusion
OR
IM or IV 50mg every 6 hours

Question 6

What dose and route of hydrocortisone is given in a severe or life-threatening asthma attack ?

Answer 6

IV 100mg every 6 hours until conversion to oral prednisolone is possible

Question 7

What dose and route of chlorphenamine is given in an anaphylactic reaction ?

Answer 7

IM or IV 10 mg repeated if necessary up to 4 doses per day

Question 8

What dose and route of atropine is given in bradycardia following an MI ?

Answer 8

IV 500 micrograms every 3 - 5 minutes

Question 9

What dose and route of aspirin is given in secondary prevention of CVD ?

Answer 9

PO 75mg daily

Question 10

What dose and route of aspirin is given in management of an MI ?

Answer 10

PO 300 mg

Question 11

What dose and route of aspirin is given in a suspected TIA ?

Answer 11

PO 300mg once daily

Question 12

What dose and route of aspirin is given in an ischaemic stroke ?

Answer 12

PO 300 mg once daily for 14 days

Question 13

What dose and route of aspirin is given in mild to moderate pain ?

Answer 13

PO 300 - 900 mg every 4 - 6 hours
Rectal 450 - 900 mg every 4 hours

Question 14

What dose and route of clopidogrel is given in a TIA ( with aspirin hypersensitivity )?

Answer 14

PO 75mg once daily

Question 15

What is the loading dose of clopidogrel ?

Answer 15

300 mg

Question 16

What dose and route of clopidogrel is given in prevention of atherothrombotic events after loading dose ?

Answer 16

PO 75mg daily

Question 17

What dose and route of calcium gluconate is given in acute severe hyperkalaemia?

Answer 17

Slow IV injection 30mL repeat every 5 - 10 minutes it no improvement in ECG

Question 18

What dose and route of diazepam is given in status epilepticus ?

Answer 18

IV 10 mg then 10mg after 10 minutes if required

Question 19

What dose and route of lorazepam is given in status epilepticus ?

Answer 19

Slow IV 4mg then repeat after 5-10 minutes

Question 20

What dose and route of nebulised salbutamol is given in severe or life threatening asthma ?

Answer 20

5 mg repeat every 20-30 minutes

Question 21

What dose and route of prednisolone is given in an acute asthma attack ?

Answer 21

PO 40-50 mg for at least 5 days

Question 22

What dose and route of morphine is given in acute pain ?

Answer 22

Initially PO/subcut/IM 10mg every 4 hours and adjusted to response

Question 23

What dose and route of morphine is given in chronic pain ?

Answer 23

PO/ subcut / IM 5 - 10 mg every 4 hours

Question 24

What dose and route of naloxone is given in an opioid overdose in a non medical setting ?

Answer 24

IM 400 microgram every 2-3 minutes continue until not required