Intermediate Flashcards
Adrenaline intro
Presentation:
1 mg/1 mL (1:1000) ampoule
- A naturally occurring sympathomimetic agent
- Causes peripheral vasoconstriction
- Stimulation of cardiac conduction system causes increased contractions
- Causes bronchodilation and dilation of blood vessels in muscles
IV/IO: Onset 30 seconds, half-life 5 minutes, duration 5-10 minutes
IM: Onset 60 seconds, half-life 5 minutes, duration 5-10 minutes
Adrenaline Indications
- Severe croup
- Post ROSC
- Anaphylaxis
- Life threatening asthma
- Cardiac arrest
Adrenaline Contraindications
There are no absolute contraindications to Adrenaline.
Adrenaline Special Considerations
- Pupil dilation
- Hypertension
- Anxiety
- Tremors
- Tachyarrhythmias, palpitations
Amiodarone Intro
- Amiodarone is a Class III antidysrhythmic agent that prolongs the action potential duration and hence the refractory period of atrial, nodal and ventricular tissue, thereby giving a very broad spectrum of activity.
- Immediate onset, peak <10min, duration 30-60mins
Amiodarone Indications
Cardiac Arrest with persistent/shock resistant Ventricular Fibrillation/Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia, post 3rd shock (ANZCOR 2016).
Amiodarone Contraindications
- No contraindications in cardiac arrest.
- Not compatible with saline (If infusion dose is advocated by a specifically authorised person).
Amiodarone Special Considerations
- Bradycardia
- Hypotension
- Polymorphic tachycardia’s
- Nausea
- Tremor
- Dizziness
- Paraesthesia
- Headaches
- Phlebitis
Aspirin Intro
Aspirin has the following pharmacological actions:
- Anti-pyretic
- Anti-platelet aggregate
- Analgeisic
-Anti-inflammatory
Reduces mortality significantly in Acute Myocardial Infarction by minimising platelet aggregation and thrombus formation in order to retard the progression of coronary artery thrombosis
Aspirin Indications
- Patients with suspected Acute Coronary Syndromes.
Aspirin Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to aspirin / salicylates / NSAIDs.
- Children < 16 years of age.
Aspirin Special Considerations
- Heart burn, nausea, GI bleeding.
- Increased bleeding time.
- Anaphylactic reaction (some patients, especially asthmatics) exhibit notable sensitivity to aspirin, which may provoke various hypersensitivity / allergic reactions.
Atropine Intro
- An anticholinergic agent that inhibits the action of acetylcholine on post ganglionic nerves at the neuroeffector site. This blocks vagal stimulation to allow the sympathetic response to increase pulse rate by increasing SA node firing rate, and increasing the conduction velocity through the AV node.
- An antidote to reverse the effects of cholinesterase inhibitors such as seen with organophosphate poisoning.
Atropine Indications
- Symptomatic Bradycardia, haemodynamically unstable due to the bradycardia and associated with poor signs of perfusion, including:
- Hypotension
- Altered conscious state
- Diaphoresis
- Shortness of breath, and/or cyanosis
- Syncope
- Organophosphate poisoning with cholinergic effects
Atropine Contraindications
- Known Hypersensitivity
- Patients with cardiac transplant.
Atropine Special Considerations
- Confusion, restlessness (large doses)
- Hot, dry skin (large doses)
- Dilated pupils and/or blurred vision
- Dry mouth and/or urinary retention
- Tachycardia and/or palpitations
Cophenylcaine Intro
Pump spray containing:
- Lidocaine (lignocaine) hydrochloride monohydrate 5%, 5 mg/spray
- Phenylephrine hydrochloride 0.5%, 500 microg/spray
- A topical local anaesthetic and haemorrhage control agent for the relief of surface pain, nasal and oral bleeding.
Cophenylcaine Indications
- Local pain: abrasions, small cuts and wounds
- Relief of mild and moderate epistaxis
- Post tonsillectomy haemorrhage
- Intra-oral haemorrhage
Cophenylcaine Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to phenylephrine, lidocaine or other anaesthetics
- Children <2yrs
- Pregnancy
Cophenylcaine Special Considerations
- Oral administration may cause a transient bitter taste
Droperidol Intro
- Droperidol is a neuroleptic, antipsychotic agent that acts on Alpha and Dopamine receptors, resulting in sedation
- Onset of effect usually 3-5 mins both IM and IV
- Use of a sedative agent should never be considered routine. Have a high threshold to offer or administer.
Droperidol Indications
- Disturbed and Abnormal Behaviour (RASS 1 ~ 3) if considered appropriate where risk to safety is evident and de-escalation has not been effective.
- Dementia and frail patients where Olanzapine cannot be administered or is ineffective.
Droperidol Contraindications
- Known allergy
- Known Parkinson’s Disease
- Where Ketamine has been administered to sedate this episode
- Age < 6 years old
- Post-ictal Disturbed & Abnormal Behaviour
Droperidol Special Considerations
- Extrapyramidal effects / Dyskinesia
- Increased falls risk
- Hypotension
- Apply monitoring as soon as practicable
Fentanyl Introduction
A short acting synthetic narcotic analgesic.
- Fentanyl: 450 microg/1.5 mL (300 microg/mL); intra-nasal administration only
- Fentanyl Citrate: 100 microg/2 mL ampoule (50 microg/mL); IV/IO only
- Fentanyl Citrate: 500 microg/10 mL ampoule (50 microg/mL); IV/IO only
Fentanyl Indications
- Moderate to severe pain.
- Acute Coronary Syndromes where GTN has been ineffective.
Fentanyl Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to fentanyl
- Child <1 year of age (for IV / IO only)
- Occluded nasal passages or epistaxis (for IN only)
Fentanyl Special Considerations
- Adopt a low threshold to engage with the ED team if pain remains difficult to control
- Drowsiness
- Nausea/vomiting
- Respiratory depression; monitor pulse oximetry for all patients having IV / IN Fentanyl
- Cardiovascular effects:
- Bradycardia
- Hypotension (rare)
Glucagon Intro
- A hyperglycaemic agent that increases blood glucose concentration by activating hepatic glucose production and decreasing GI motility
- Onset: 4-7 minutes; duration 10-40 minutes
Glucagon Indications
- For demonstrated hypoglycaemia where oral glucose cannot be administered and IV access cannot be obtained in a safe and timely manner.
- Altered conscious state in a known diabetic or of otherwise unknown cause where blood glucose level is below 4mmol/L.
Glucagon Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity
- Known pheochromacytoma, insulinoma, glucagonoma
Glucagon Special Considerations
- Nausea/vomiting
- Gastric pain
- Transient rise of blood pressure for patients taking beta blockers.
Glucose 10% IV Intro
- A hypertonic crystalloid solution that provides a readily available source of energy (glucose)
- Onset within 1 minute
- Contains 100 mg glucose anhydrous/ml
Glucose 10% IV Indications
Demonstrated hypoglycaemia where oral glucose administration is inappropriate in:
- Altered conscious state in known diabetic or of otherwise unknown cause where blood glucose level is below 4 mmol/L.
- Cardiac arrest, only if hypoglycaemia is suspected as a contributory cause of the arrest, not an early indication.
Glucose 10% IV Contraindications
- Not be used if there is no patent IV access
Glucose 10% Special Considerations
- Hyperglycaemia
- Diuresis
- Thrombophlebitis
- Tissue necrosis
Glucose Oral Gel Intro
- Rapidly absorbed from oral/buccal mucosa to increase blood glucose concentration
- Onset 2-5 minutes; duration 12-25 minutes
- Contains 15 g glucose
Glucose Oral Gel Indications
Demonstrated hypoglycaemia in:
- Altered conscious state in a known diabetic.
- Altered conscious state of unknown medical cause, where blood glucose level is below 4 mmol/L.
Glucose Oral Gel Contraindications
- Nil
Glucose Oral Gel Special Considerations
- Airway obstruction
GTN Intro
Nitrates cause the relaxation of vascular smooth muscle resulting in:
- Vasodilation
- Peripheral pooling and reduced venous return
- Reduced left ventricular end diastolic pressure (preload)
- Reduced systemic vascular resistance (afterload)
- Reduced myocardial energy and oxygen requirements
- Relaxes spasm of coronary arteries
Also known as nitroglycerin
GTN Indications
- Chest pain/discomfort of presumed cardiac origin not relieved by rest and reassurance with systolic BP > 90 mmHg where the heart rate is within 50-150 beats per minute.
- Acute Cardiac Pulmonary Oedema with systolic BP >90 mmHg.
- Autonomic Dysreflexia with systolic BP > 160 mmHg.
GTN Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity
- Hypotension < 90 mmHg
- Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)
- Recent use of medications used for erectile dysfunction:
Sildenafil (Viagra®) or Vardenafil (Levitra®) or Avanafil (Spedra®) use in the previous 24 hours
Tadalafil (Cialis®) use in the previous 3 days