ACLS ACLS Pharmacology & Medications 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the first-line antiarrhythmic drug recommended for shock-refractory ventricular fibrillation (VF) in ACLS?
- Lidocaine
- Amiodarone (Correct answer)
- Magnesium sulfate
- Procainamide
Correct answer: Amiodarone
Amiodarone is the first-line antiarrhythmic for shock-refractory VF, given as a 300 mg IV bolus.
Question 2: What is the standard adult dose of epinephrine administered during cardiac arrest in ACLS?
- 0.5 mg IV every 3–5 minutes
- 1 mg IV every 3–5 minutes (Correct answer)
- 2 mg IV every 3–5 minutes
- 0.1 mg IV every 10 minutes
Correct answer: 1 mg IV every 3–5 minutes
The standard ACLS dose of epinephrine during cardiac arrest is 1 mg IV/IO every 3–5 minutes.
Question 3: Which drug is the treatment of choice for symptomatic bradycardia in ACLS?
- Adenosine
- Amiodarone
- Atropine (Correct answer)
- Diltiazem
Correct answer: Atropine
Atropine 0.5 mg IV is the first drug used for symptomatic bradycardia in ACLS.
Question 4: What is the recommended dose of adenosine for the first dose when treating stable SVT?
- 3 mg rapid IV push
- 6 mg rapid IV push (Correct answer)
- 12 mg rapid IV push
- 18 mg rapid IV push
Correct answer: 6 mg rapid IV push
The first dose of adenosine for stable SVT is 6 mg given as a rapid IV push followed by a 20 mL saline flush.
Question 5: Which medication is specifically indicated for torsades de pointes (TdP) in ACLS?
- Amiodarone
- Lidocaine
- Magnesium sulfate (Correct answer)
- Procainamide
Correct answer: Magnesium sulfate
Magnesium sulfate 1–2 g IV is the treatment of choice for torsades de pointes.
Question 6: What is the maximum total dose of atropine allowed in ACLS for bradycardia?
- 1 mg
- 2 mg
- 3 mg (Correct answer)
- 4 mg
Correct answer: 3 mg
The maximum cumulative dose of atropine for bradycardia in ACLS is 3 mg (six 0.5 mg doses).
ACLS ACLS Pharmacology & Medications 1
What is the first-line antiarrhythmic drug recommended for shock-refractory ventricular fibrillation (VF) in ACLS?