Emergency Drugs

Question 1

What dose of adrenaline is given in anaphylaxis?

Answer 1

IM, 500 micrograms (1/1000th 1 milligram per litre) - repeat every 5 mins as needed

Question 2

What does of hydrocortisone is given in thyroid storm/asthma?

Answer 2

IV, 100mg every 6 hours as sodium succinate

Question 3

What dose of chlorphenamine is given in anaphylaxis?

Answer 3

IM/IV, 10mg - repeat if necessary max 4 doses per day.

Question 4

What dose of atropine is given for post-MI bradycardia?

Answer 4

IV, 500 micrograms every 3-5mins max 3mg per course

Question 5

What dose of aspirin is given in MI?

Answer 5

PO, 300mg chewable/water

Question 6

What dose of clopidogrel is given to patients undergoing PCI?

Answer 6

PO loading dose of 300mg

Post STEMI: PO, 300mg which is reduced to 75mg after 4 weeks

Question 7

What insulin/dextrose infusion is given in DKA?

Answer 7

IV infusion, bolus 0.1units/kg and then after IV infusion of 0.1units/kg per hour

Question 8

What can you give if oral glucose fails in a hypo?

Answer 8

Not responding to measures: start IV glucose 10% at 200ml/hour or give glucagon 1mg IM/IV (will not be successful if malnourished)

Unconscious: Start IV glucose 10% at 200ml/15mins or give glucagon 1mg IM/IV

Question 9

What dose of diazepam is given in status epilepticus?

Answer 9

IV 10mg

then another 10mg after 10mins if required

administered at a rate of 1ml per minute

Question 10

What dose of lorazepam is given in status epilepticus?

Answer 10

Slow IV, 4mg for 1 dose, then 4mg after 5-10mins if required for 1 dose - into a large vein.

Question 11

What dose of salbutamol neb should be given in acute asthma?

Answer 11

Nebulised, 5mg repeat every 20-30 mins or when required, give via oxygen-driven neb.

Question 12

What dose of prednisolone should be given in exacerbations of asthma and COPD?

Answer 12

Asthma: PO, 40mg-50mg for at least 5 days

COPD: PO, 30mg

Question 13

What dose of morphine should be given in MI?

Answer 13

Slow IV, 5-10mg, rate of 1-2mg/min.

Question 14

What dose of morphine should be given in acute pain?

Answer 14

SC, IM or PO, 10mg every 4 hours. Slow IV, 5mg every 4 hours.

Question 15

What dose of naloxone should be given in acute opioid overdose?

Answer 15

IV, 400micrograms then 800micrograms for up to two doses, at 1-minute intervals if no response to the preceding dose, then increased to 2mg for 1 dose if still no response