Medical Emergencies Flashcards
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Class
Antihistamine
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Actions
blocks histamine receptors
has some sedative effects
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Indications
Anaphylaxis / allergic reactions / dystonic reactions due to phenothiazines
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Contraindications
Asthma / nursing mothers
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Precautions / Side Effects
Prec: hypotension
SE: sedation / dries bronchial secretions / blurred vision / headache / palpitations
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Dose
Adult: 25-50mg/slow IV push or deep IM
Pedi: 2-5mg/kg
D50W Class
Carbohydrate
D50W Action
elevates blood glucose level rapidly
D50W Indications
hypoglcemia
D50W Contraindications
none in an emergency setting
D50W Precautions / Side Effects
Prec: blood sample should be drawn before administration
SE: local venous irritation
D50W Dose
Adult: 25g(50mL)/IV
Pedi: 0.5g/kg slow IV; dilute 1:1 with sterile water to form a 25% solution
Glucagon Class
Hormone (antihypoglycemic agent)
Glucagon Actions
Causes breakdown of glycogen to glucose inhibits glycogen synthesis elevates blood glucose level increases cardiac contractile force increases heart rate
Glucagon Indications
Hypoglycemia
Beta-blocker OD
Glucagon Contraindications
hypersensitivity
Glucagon Precautions / Side Effects
Prec: effective only if there are sufficient stores of glycogen within the liver / use with caution in pts with cardiovascular or renal disease / draw blood for glucose test before administration
SE: few in emergency situation
Glucagon Dose
Adult: 0.25-0.5units/IV or 1.0mg/IM
Peds: 0.03mg/kg
Sodium Bicarbonate Class
Alkalinizing agent
Sodium Bicarbonate Actions
combines with excessive acids to form a weak volatile acid
increases pH
Sodium Bicarbonate Indications
TCA overdose
severe acidosis refractory to hyperventilation
Sodium Bicarbonate Contraindications
Alkalotic states
Sodium Bicarbonate Precautions / Side Effects
Prec: correct dose is essential to avoid overcompensation of pH / can deactivate catecholamines / can precipitate with calcium / delivers large sodium load
SE: Alkalosis
Sodium Bicarbonate Dose
Adult: 1mEq/kg initially followed by 0.5mEq/kg every 10 min as indicated by blood gas studies
Peds: 1mEq/kg initially followed by 0.5mEq/kg every 10 min
Methylprednisone (Solu-Medrol) Class
Steroid
Methylprednisone (Solu-Medrol) Actions
anti-inflammatory
suppresses immune response (especially in allergic reactions)
Methylprednisone (Solu-Medrol) Indications
severe anaphylaxis
asthma
COPD
Methylprednisone (Solu-Medrol) Contraindications
none in emergency setting
Methylprednisone (Solu-Medrol) Precautions / Side Effects
Prec: must be reconstituted and used promptly / onset of action may be 2-6hrs, thus should not be expected to be of use in the critical first hour following an anaphylactic reaction
SE: gastrointestinal bleeding / prolonged wound healing / suppression of natural steroids
Methylprednisone (Solu-Medrol) Dose
Adult: 125-250mg/IV/IM
Peds: 30mg/kg/IV/IM
Dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol) Class
Steroid
Dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol) Actions
possibly decreases cerebral edema
anti-inflammatory
suppresses immune response (especially in allergic reactions)
Dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol) Indications
Anaphylaxis (after epinephrine and diphenhydramine)
asthma
COPD
Dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol) Contraindications
none in emergency setting
Dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol) Precautions / Side Effects
Prec: protect from heat / onset may be 2-6hrs thus should not be considered to be of use in the critical first hour following an anaphylactic reaction
SE: gastrointestinal bleeding / prolonged wound healing
Dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol) Dose
Adult: 4-24mg/IV/IM
Peds: 0.2-0.5mg/kg/IV/IM
Midazolam (Versed) Class
tranquilizer (benzodiazepine)
Midazolam (Versed) Actions
hypnotic
sedative
Midazolam (Versed) Indications
premedication before cardioversion
acute anxiety states
Midazolam (Versed) Contraindications
hypersensitivity
narrow angle glaucoma
shock
Midazolam (Versed) Precautions / Side Effects
Prec: emergency resuscitative equipment must be available / flumazenil (Romazicon) should be available / dilute with normal saline of D5W prior to IV administration / respiratory depression more common with midazolam than other benzodiazepines
SE: drowsiness / hypotension / amnesia / respiratory depression/apnea
Midazolam (Versed) Dose
Adult: 1.0-2.5mg/IV
Peds: 0.03mg/kg
Routes: IV, oral, intranasal
Diazepam (Valium) Class
Tranquilizer (benzodiazepine)
Diazepam (Valium) Actions
anticonvulsant
skeletal muscle relaxant
sedative
Diazepam (Valium) Indications
major motor seizures status epilepticus premedication before cardioversion skeletal muscle relaxant acute anxiety states
Diazepam (Valium) Contraindications
hypersensitivity
Diazepam (Valium) Precautions / Side Effects
Prec: local venous irritation / short duration of effect / do not mix with other medication because of possible precipitation problems / Flumazenil (Romazicon) should be available
SE: drowsiness / hypotension / respiratory depression/apnea
Diazepam (Valium) Dose
Adult Status epilepticus: 5-10mg/IV
Adult Acute Anxiety: 2-10mg/IM/IV
Adult Premedication before cardioversion: 5-15mg/IV
Peds Status Epilepticus: 0.1-0.2mg/kg
Routes: IV care must be taken not to administer faster than 1mL/min / IM / rectal
Promethazine (Phenergan) Class
Phenothiazine antihistamine (H1 Antagonist)
Promethazine (Phenergan) Actions
mild anticholinergic activity
antiemetic
potentiates actions of analgesics
Promethazine (Phenergan) Indications
Nausea and vomiting
motion sickness
to potentiate the effects of analgesics
sedation
Promethazine (Phenergan) Contraindications
comatose states
pts who have received a large amount of depressants (including alcohol)